BROKEN PROMISES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20006, 3 August 1939, Page 5

BROKEN PROMISES

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD CHARGES MADE IN HOUSE BIG RISE IN TAXATION COST OF ADMINISTRATION (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The best term I can think of to suit the occasion would be a breach-of-promiise Budget," was the introductory remark of the Leader of the Opposition, .the Hon. Adam Hamilton, when he opened the financial debate in the House of Representatives last evening. When a Labour member commented: “You got your divorce in December,” the Opposition Leader retorted: “The Ihon. member might make some comment about it, but there is a big breach in your own camp. You need not worry about things elsewhere.” Presenting evidence of breach of promise, Mr. Hamilton declared that there were many promises to the electors which had not been fulfilled although the opportunity was there. If the Government had struck evil times .or low prices, there would have been some excuse, but they had enjoyed a period of good prices, so any promises .they made could have been fulfilled.. They would not increase taxation, they promised, but every Budget did this until the taxation was £16,000,000 higher than when they came into office. The use of public credit, instead of borrowing, was a promise. They had just completed plans for a London loan and for one in New Zealand with more to follow in all probability. This, he suggested smilingly, must be extremely pleading to the member for Grey Lynn, Mr. J. A. Lee. Increased Public Debt Labour was not to increase the public debt, but had just arranged for £9.000,000 overseas. That the cost of. government was not to be increased was another definite promise, though the governmental cost hadi increased by £28,000,000 per annum, an .almost staggering amount. After the boastings of 1935 that unemployment was to be cured, continued the Leader of the Opposition, the Government had spent £6,500,000 last year on unemployment relief. Another vaunted l hope or promise was to provide free doctors for an expenditure of £1,200,000. That was before the election. How much did the .present Budget provide for this purpose? There was a vote of £IOO,OOO, which was pretty nearly bordering on false pretences. The Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Health: They will get it all right, and if the medical profession would agree it would operate to-morrow. Mr. Hamilton: The sum of £IOO,OOO expresses the Minister’s opinion. He does not expect am agreement this year, because he has made no monetary provision. Mr. Fraser: Don't you worry about, that. Unproductive Work Mr. Hamilton mentioned increased production as a Labour promise carried out, he said, by making unproductive work more attractive than production, which was falling. Sickness benefits were promised. They were only for the very poorest. His party had received many complaints 'regarding the means test and papers which had to be filled in before the benefit was paid. Mr. Fraser: Exactly according to the .law. Mr. Hamilton: They promised houses at 12s 6d a week and the rents are from 16s 6d to 32s Od. The Minister of Housing should: look back to see what was promised.The Lion. H. T. Armstrong, Minister of Housing: You must be looking the wrong way—looking back to Adam. (Laughter.) Pegged Exchange Rate The Leader of the Opposition, consulting a list of Labour promises, mentioned the removal of the exchange rate, and asked Labour members to say what would 'be the rate to-day _ if the exchange were not pegged’ down. Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford): How quiet they are. Mr. Hamilton: They did promise to remove the sales tax. See how big it is. There is no doubt it is a breach-of-promise Budget and the electors wilt take notice.

When the Opposition asked before the election what was going -to happen, he added, the predictions were strenuously denied by Labour. Otherwise, if they had admitted the truth, the result might lhave been different

_ Mr. Fraser: You have to find l some excuse for your defeat. Mr. Hamilton: No. We are quite happy here just .seeing how the Government are handling their own muddlemcnt and trying to extricate themselves from the difficulties in which they find themselves.