ABUSE NO ARGUMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 229, 27 September 1929, Page 3

ABUSE NO ARGUMENT.

REFORM ATT ACK DISCREDITED

CHEAPER MONEY IN PROSPECT.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. There were indignant murmurs of protest from the "Reform benches to-night when the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, stated, in opening his speech on the taxation proposals, that the previous speaker, Mr. D. Jones. (MidCanterbury) had used so few real arguments against the bill that it had been almost impossible to note a sound argument.

''For the most part what that member said comprised bald statements and abuse of the United party and its leader," continued Mr. Ransom. "His statement that this bill Avould put New Zealand farmers in bondage to Australia was a most extraordinary statement, coming from the chairman of the Meat Board. Perhaps it was that during the Reform party's period of administration too much capital was allowed to go to Australia when the farmers of New Zealand were badly in need of financial assistance. I believe that under the policy of the present Finance Minister this flow of money to Australia will be checked and is being checked, and that the money will be available at cheaper rates,"

Mr. Ransom said he never expected to hear a better argument for the £60,000,000 loan than the argument used by Mr. Jones, who said that farmers were struggling under the burden of interest charges. This went to show the necessity for cheaper money, and it was the Government's policy to make money cheaper. The Government was prepared to tax the big man, and this bill showed how it was to be done.