QUESTION TIME

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXI, Issue 2782, 1 December 1931, Page 5

QUESTION TIME

AT MR. ZIMAN'S MEETING. VOLLEY OF VARIED QUESTIONS. “Had you been a member in the House how "would you have voted on the 10 per cent cut?” was the first of a volley of questions fired at Mr S. N. Ziman at his meeting in the Town Hall last night. Mr Ziman replied that lie would have voted against a straightout cut, but would have supported a graduated measure. Among a batch of written, questions was the query, “Are you in favour of a New Zealand-born Governor-Gen-eral?”—Answer: I think we should go on doing as wo have done in the past. Past Governor-Generals appear to have given every satisfaction. “Is it a fact that Mr H. M. Rushworth did not take part iu 30 divisions during the stonewall on the Finance Bill?” —Mr ..Ziman: The taking of amendments and divisions lasted 70 hours. All the other parties took it in turn to go home to bed. Mr Ruslnvorth lasted as long as he possibly could and then had to seek rest. If you send support for him this time he’ll be ablo to have assistance should such a stonewall occur again. (Applause). “How does Mr Ziman account for the Country Party's modified policy of protection when previously it was all out for 100 per cent free trade?” —Mr Ziman; The Country Party’s platform is published and is the same as it was three years ago. We are out for free trade with Britain on necessities.

In reply to a question as to whether lie considered the country was getting value for the £5,500,000 spent on education, Mr Ziman said: “No, not on higher education. Trimmings could be made especially with the fads of inspectors. They are not getting good value in their secondary education. It was made too easy and was not fully appreciated. The result was the overcrowding of universities and the turning out of masses of mediocre doctors and lawyers. Mr N. R. Souter; Would you be iu favour of reducing the duty on English motor cars? Mr Ziman replied that he did not think the duties could be reduced at present. As long as the duties on English kept below that on cars manufactmed in America, that was as much as could be expected :it present. When things got better they might do it. If the six Country Party candidates arc elected how do they propose to carry the party’s policy into effect and what effect would it have? —Mr Ziman: It would effect any party in power. Any six men voting for principles could get a bias on any Government’s policy. Rev. J. W. Parker: If Mr Ziman is elected will he oppose art unions and anything in the shape of a State lottery?—Mr Ziman: I am not prepared to support art unions, but I think the Government might adopt the Continental system of internal bonds. On such 2 per cent goes to the country, 2 per cent for prizes and the balance tV: expenses. Everyone likes a little flutter. (Laughter).. If the bonds were made attractive the Government would get cheap money. ' Would you bo prepared to support the Seddon-Ward leasehold system (lease in perpetuity) was a question from the back of the Hall? —Mr Ziman: It is too late to replace the present system, but I believe a mistake was made in urging any other system than the one mentioned by the elector. Replying to Mr C. Andrew on the question of'the party’s proposed direct taxation tho candidate said there was plenty of scope for increases in income tax. Another question was in the event of a poll being taken would Mr Ziman vote for the abolition of the Arbitration Court? The candidate replied that as capital had protection it was reasonable there should be protection for labour. He would not vote for the abolition of the Court but would make one definite alteration, that of having the primary producers and the consumers represented. At this stage several questions were fired at the candidate in quick order. “Who can we blame for the civil servants’ cut in wages?”—You can choose for yourself. “How many representatives should we have in Parliament?”—Six Cabinet Ministers should be able to do the job quite well. “Was it fair for America to capture • the motor car trade?”—They did it during the war, when Britain was busy with munitions and helping to fight the Germans. (Applause). “It has been said that the Country Party leave untouched the balancing of the Budget and the relief of unemployment?” —Mr Ziman: Cut down public expenditure. Have six State departments instead of about 14. Tighten up tho income taxation. A Voice: You could start on Mr Sterling.