GREATER PRODUCTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20012, 10 August 1939, Page 5

GREATER PRODUCTION

KEY TO PROSPERITY AGREEMENT WITH BUDGET (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Highly sceptical of the Government's outlook on finance as indicated in the Budget, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara) agreed with one section of it, he remarked' in the House yesterday. This was the appeal for greater production as a basis of prosperity. The key-note of democracy, he declared, was sound finance, but the Government was running into dangerous waters. If production could not be expanded in any other way theni the 40-hour week would have to go. Laboun members: It will never go. Mr. Coates: These last few years we have been on a fair "bender." It cannot continue, for we are reaching the most difficult position itlhe country lias ever experienced. If democracy faces up to the position and' gives increased production, we will got over it. We must get 'to work. Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Rosikill): How many hours a week? Mr. Coates: As many as are neces;ary to maintain our standards. What is the decision to be? Mr. J. Hodgens (Lab., Palmcrston North): Slave camps. Pointing out that the floating debt was carrying an average rate of 3 ner cent, while £10,000,000 paid 4 per cent, Mr. Coates predicted that the full social security scheme would involve an increase of £10,000,000 in next year's budget. He repeated that ithe basis of democracy was sound finance. Mr. J. O'Brien (Lab., Wcsitland): What do you catll sound finance? Mr. Coates: Not bad paper. That isi where we are going to