DOMINION PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18406, 13 August 1931, Page 7

DOMINION PARLIAMENT

THE BUDGET DEBATE. SUGGESTIONS AND CRITICISM. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The debate on the Budget was resumed In the House of Representatives to-day. Mr K. S. Williams (Reform —Bay of Plenty) advocated developing the flax industry, with the view of utilising not only the first-grade product, but also the second and third-grade flax. Commenting on the proposal to set up a commission to deal with the question of local body rating, he urged a thorough investigation should be made regarding native rates, because many countries were seriously affected and a heavy burden was placed on farmers through the inability ot natives to contribute. Mr H. T. Armstrong (Labour — Christchurch East) defended the expenditure on education, and said New Zealand was not spending money for It out of proportion to the Increase In population. He declared a more unjust tax than that on sugar and tea could not be imagined. Wealthy people received exemptions from income tax, but the more children a poor man had the more he had to pay in indirect taxation. Scope for Economy. ■f Mr H. M. Rushworth (Country— Bay of Islands) said very many economies could still be effected, for instance, there might be economies In the High Commissioner's 0(1106 in London. There was also scope for saving through Mr W. A. Wilkinson's scheme regarding silver and copper coinage, and again in Mr .1. S. Fletcher s proposal for petrol plants in the Dominion. These suggestions, however, had been ignored, and one was left with the uneasy feeling that in these quarters there were powerful interests, and the Government was preferring the easier course of taxing that section of the community least able to look after itself. Mr Rushworth declared he was definitely and permanently opposed to taxing the necessities of life. The Hon. H. Atmore. --Minister o! Education, said he disagreed with the contention that secondary education was not necessary for the worker. It was becoming more and more necessary to the workman. It was little use talking ot land development if i’—e were no educational facilities handy. Children With No Aptitude. Mr R. A. Wright (Reform—Wellington Suburbs said what members were complaining of concerning secondary education was that children were receiving it who had no aptitude for it. Children were attending secondary schools for a year or perhaps two years only. This was useless, and they should be compelled to stay longer than that if education was to be of any use to them. Mr Wright referred to what he termed the menace to the shipping of the Dominion. This comprised subsidising steamers by the United States Government to compete with our own shipping in the Pacific.

\ The Hon. A. J. Murdoch, Minister > of Agriculture, said the Prime Minister had taken the only stand he could in the Budget in view of the position of things to-day. but he felt sure the country was turning the corner. Some members had raised the question of trade with Canada, and had alleged the Prime Minister adopted the use of the mailed fist Such was not the case. New Zealand was ready at any time to trade with Canada, provided she would do the fair thing by New Zealand, if Canada continued to impose heavy tariffs. New Zealand must do the same to Canada. The two countries could work in unison, but Canada must give New Zealand full return. Mr J. O'Brien (Labour —Westland) attacked the new customs schedule, and quoted the Prime Minister's promise to reduce the cost of living. He said the opposite would be .he effect if the new duties were put into force. He suggested a high tax on American crude oil would help the Budget. The House adjourned at 10.25 p.m.