FINANCE BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1932, Page 5

FINANCE BILL

BEFORE THE HOUSE LABOUR AMENDMENT MOVED., (Per Press Association Copyright.) WELLINGTON, December 9. The Legislative Council yesterday afternoon passed the New Zealand Loans Bill, and the Council ro. s e till this morning. In th e Douse of Representatives, the Hon. W. Dowhie Stewart moved the second leading of th© Finance Bill. Mr M. J. Savage (Lab., Auckland West), expressed disappointment with the Bill, declaring that it was deplorable that, in th e midst of the greatest financial crisis in the history of thecountry, the Finance Bill should not contain on e line that mattered to anyone. For that reason he moved as an amendment: “That, this House is of the opinion that the Bill should not b e proceeded with until the following .means of meeting the Dominion’s financial and economic difficulties, and placing the national revenue and finance °n a sound basis are considered by the House. (1) Restoration and stabilisation of purchasing power; (2) Guaranteed priceß; (3) Raising the incomes of farmers, and workers, employed and unemployed ; pij Exchange rates; (5) Effective utilisation of- currency and credit ; (6) Bounty s ubsidv or bonus to primary producers; (7) Establishment of moratorium.” He insisted that the House should not adjourn until the major measures outlined in his amendment had been discussed. His side of the House did not necessarily pin their faith to all of them. There was roo.m for a difference of opinion as to some of them, but ther e was no room for difference of opinion as to the problems facing the country.

He appealed for an opportunity to discuss these problems before members returned to their homes, and stated that his amendment 'had been moved in the best spirit imaginable. He invited the Government to accept it in that spirit. 'Mr E. J. Howard (Lab., Christchurch South), seconded the amendment, and the debate continued till aftor midnight.

LABOUR. AMENDMENT LOST,

JUVENILE UNEMPLOYMENT.

WELLING!ON, December % 9

The debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill Was continued in the House of Representatives until 2.f)Q this morning, when Mr Savage’s amendment was defeated* by 4(1 to 24 a»i tl - tlie- > 13ill was read a second time.

Tlio Appropriation Bill was - introduced and was taken to the second reading Btago. The committee stage of the Finance Bill was then commenced.

Labour members referred to the clause authorising payments of Messrs .Smith and Ansell, in resipeot to their services while making an investigation into the question of juvenile unemployment. The Chairman of Committees, Mr Smith, asketl permission to leave the chair, which Was thereupon occupied by Mr J. A. Nash. Mr Lee inquired what had been the amount of payments, and when the report on -the investigation would be submitted. He had seen no report from the two members concerned, other than a statement that if the Dominion devoted itself to the manufacture of mouse-traps and school rulers, the difficulty would be solved. A Member: “What about vo-yos?” Mr Smith : “What about gags for wild boys?”

Continuing, Mr Lee asked if the appointment of Messrs Smith and Ans.dl as a Commission to investigate juvenile unemployment, was another example of political patronage. Why bad not la member of the Opposition been appointed to the Commission? Mr Coates: “To what Commission?” Mr Lee: “To the mouse-trap Commission.”

Mr Coates: “Why is the lion. gentleman so frightened of mouse-traps? Mr Langstone asked what had been the results of the investigation, and what it had cost. He suggested it could have been carried out by an unemployed worker. Mr Smith said it was quite evident, from the manner in which the preceding speakers had addressed the Committee, that it w!as purely a personal matter. Mr Langstone had suggested that the investigation could have been carried out by an unemployed worker. “It cost me money to go round the country, and 1 ;nin out of pocket a,s a, result of the investigation we inn.de. If that is the type of treatment the lion, membo- would mete out to unemployed workers, he has not much heart for them,” Mr Smith declared.