MR. NASH TO REPLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 254, 26 October 1937, Page 8

MR. NASH TO REPLY

DEBATE ON BUDGET WORK OF PARLIAMENT WELLINGTON, Oct. 25. The announcement that the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) will reply to-morrow evening to the debate on the Budget, which has occupied the House of Representatives for most of the sitting days since September 30, has revived interest which has been at a low ebb for some time past. Many of the speakers in the dying stages of the debate found it almost impossible to touch on fresh subjects and there has naturally been a great deal of repetition, for which the fact that Parliament is on the air may be held largely responsible. Mr. Nash will have a wide field to cover if he elects to reply to all the arguments raised by the Opposition, and it is expected that he will deal at least with the main issues involved, such as the guaranteed price scheme for dairy produce, the position of London funds, and the alleged flight of capital from the Dominion. He may also give some attention to the Government’s banking policy and the much-discussed question of protecting local manufacturers from the consequences of heavy importations. Whatever his range of subjects Mr. Nash’s speech is certain to hold the attention of the House, which during the past week or so of the debate has barely held a quorum on frequent occasions. The intention is to devote to-mor-row afternoon to consideration of one or more of the Bills introduced last week dealing with the control of defence and broadcasting. With the Financial debate out of the way the House will go on to discuss the Estimates of departmental expenditure, which will afford the Opposition an opportunity of indicating Gpecific instances in which it is thought expenditure should be reduced. Government members have frequently challenged the Opposition to name such instances and it is expected that the challenge will be taken up with spirit.