‘OUT OF THE BLUE’

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 19 October 1942, Page 5

‘OUT OF THE BLUE’

HIGHER WOOL PRICE QUESTION OF PAYMENT DISCUSSION IN HOUSE (PR) WELLINGTON, this day. During the discussion. in the House of Representatives to-day on the 15 per cent bonus on wool prices, the Minister of Supply, the-. Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said.that the policy of stabilisation had been accepted by all parties in the country and he pointed out that up to the time when the 15 per cent extra for wool was granted by . the Imperial Government, the. Sheepowners’ Federation had riot asked for any increase. The 15 per cent “came down out of the blue.” Mr. Sullivan said that the aggregate private income of., the country had increased from £186,000,000 in 1939 to £230,000,000 in 1942, and the value of goods available for civil consumption ‘had decreased in that period from £135,000,000 .to £85,000,000. The Minister said he did not know whether the sheepowners and "the stabilisation committee would be prepared to resume tfieir negotiations after the speech of the Leader of the Opposi. tion, which he thought was calculated to sabotage the agreement that was in prospect. - • - “This is a desperate attempt on the part of the Opposition, to get the goodwill of people with substantial- electoral, war chests,” stated Mr. J. A., Lee (Dem. Lab.; Grey Lynn). He- was, he continued, . appalled at this exhibition of sheer, greediness; If the Opposition had .demanded 100 per cent of the increase J/or . the .small farmer..with a limitation on income he could have supported it, but at a moment when the nation was bleedirig to death there was an outrageous plea for a ; subsidy to the people who were the wealthiest in the country. They were sabotaging the. war effort. _ . , On Mr. Speaker’s request, Mr. Lee withdrew his last statement,, Mr. W. J. POlson (Nit., Stratford) intervened to explain that he had suggested that the mopey should be paid to (he people to whom, it belonged, the Eritish Government or the farmer. Mr. Lee retorted this fvas patriotism at a price, purely thefarmer was not alone the producer of the value of wool delivered in London. There were the seamen who risked their lives and the men of the navy, the airmen and the soldiers who protected the land and the goods.