OPPOSITION LEADER

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 January 1932, Page 6

OPPOSITION LEADER

EULLER TOUR. GREYMOUTH, Monday. Mr 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, engaged in a tour of the Buller electorate, and at the Aveek-end addressed largely-attended meetings at Tiroroa, Black water and Waiuta, receiving unanimous votes of thanks and rencAvcd confidence in each place. Speaking in the Mintcrs’ Hall at Waiuta, Mr Holland rcvicAved tho legislation of last session and devoted some attention to the forthcoming meeting of Parliament. He said it Avas someAvliat peculiar that Avliile the Government Avas convening an emergency session, no indication Avhntever Avas furnished of the nature of the proposals to. be submitted for consideration, and members could only make guesses based on the pre-election pronouncements of Cabinet Ministers as to Avhat these would amount to. The Prime Minister had forecasted an attack on education and tho destruction of existing Arbitration Court aAvards and agreements. Mr Coates had suggested the possibility of an addition to the Avages tax of another twopence in the pound, and further Avage reductions, Avliile Mr DoAvnie SteAvart had given a significant hint that pensions reductions “might at any time become an imperative necessity.” These terms, if embodied ir. the Government’s programme, could only result in accentuating the present difficulties of tho Dominion. If they Avere to constitute part of -the programme for the session the fact should be made knoAvn without further delay. Members of Parliament and the country generally should also be made acquainted with the essential features of any proposed neAv legislation in relation to unemployment, AA’liicli had become an outstanding problem in the national life of the Dominion. Indeed, the real purpose of the session should be a comprehensive rehabilitation policy with Avork for the unemployed and the restoration of purchasing power as its central feature. Such a policy Avould mean the economic salvation of the country and benefit eA'ery section of the community. To persist in making the Government’s policy a matter of secrecy pending His Excellency’s Speech at tho opening of Parliament Avould certainly not tend to shorten the session. —(P.A.)