PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1931, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

the col-noil

( By Telegraph—Per Press A ssaciatinn) WELLINGTON, .March 18. In (lie Legislative Council yesterday, the Address in reply debate was resumed. Sir F. I). Hell strongly criticised the proposal to reduce civil servants’ sa la rii'S. ■Sir E. Mitchell said he agreed that people with salaries under £BOO should not he submitted to a reduction, although he did not agree altogether witli the h'st speaker. r *• Hon. D. Buddo said it would be an extraordinary tiling if the salaries ot file public servants were not touched. It was the duty of every man and woman to share in the sacrifice. The Council adjourned at 1.20 p.m. THE HOUSE.

In the House of Representatives, Hon.*G. Forbes replying to Mr Jl. E. Holland, said legislation dealing with the use of trading coupons would he introduced this session.

The Mortgagors Belief Bill was introduced by Governe r General's message. Hon. Forbes said tin* Bill set up a tribunal with power to decide whether it was in the interests of the country that mortgages should be called up, or not. Members urged that provision should hi' retrospective, otherwise the introduction of .tlie measure would '’imply stimulate foreclosures.

Mr Forbes assured the House that any attempt on the part of mortgagees to get ahead of the Act would not he succussful. He would consider the question of making the provision retrospective. 'Hie Bill wa.s read a lirs,; time.

The debate on the Finance Bill was continued by Hon. .J. G. Conti s. who said the real question to he fared at the moment wa.s how the country was to pay its way. Increased taxation would not help the position and the Government had faced the problem, finding some other way. I.t was necessary that the costs ho reduced, and ho felt confident the civil servants would lie quite prepared to take their isliai'e of the burden, so long as it was applied fairly. It was important to place the primary producers in a posdion of being able to market their goods at world prices. The Leader of the Labour Party .said ho had found it difficult to follow the Leader of if lie Opposition s remarks, but lie gathered Unit the Reform Thirty intended to support (Im ton per emit, reduction of salaries. Mr Holland eomolained Hint, (he Govcrnmeiut should have sought the approval of the electors before departing from their podges. Sir A. Ngatii said jl was not so much a question of Government, departing from iks pledges as the representatives of the people facing the facts and .taking the action that was essential in the interests of the country. The debate was continued !>v •' number of members and was adjourned when the House rose at midnight.