PREMIER’S REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 6

PREMIER’S REPLY

REASON FOR FURTHER TAXES

DEFENCE, OF 11 IS POSITION

Wellington, February 15

' “The'Labour Party holds that everything that is ,unpopular is wrong,” maintained Air Forbes in the House go-night., At the time he was replying to -charges of tue Leader of me Opposition ghat lie had broken faith by imposing more taxation whereas in his last Budget lie bad speeiacally stated 'that there would be no more taxation this year.

The Prime Minister began by saying that when lie said np-further taxation would he brought down lie was not ..ware that there would be an economic session of Parliament m wlne.li the Government would be faced with the most serious -problems that had ever faced the country. At any rate the tax would not be coiieeted till April.

THE ALTERNATIVE. Mr O’Brien (Westland): They are collecting ;t now. A Tiie other alternative, said My Forbes, would have been to delay the session till March. There was very little of the current year left in regard of any collection of tax. He still thought that while the House was sitting was the proper time to deal with whatever taxation:was necessary, without having to call Parliament together again. . He had thought the Government' M ould not: be -required to tako the action it had, but lie considered that how would havfe' been wanting in his duty had lie not taken the course after examining the accounts, l> ie Labour Party considered they were making a case when they abused men who stated the case from the other side. They abused the economists, hut never met their arguments, be said. “I don’t know whether the Opposition have -over played football, ’ continued Mr Forbes. “I heir idea seems to lie to play the man and not the ball.” The attack 0 n Professor Copland had not improved the position.

LABOUR PARTY’S DOCTRINE. “Keep on spending,- no matter where the money comes from! That is the airy kind 0? doctrine help by the Labour Party,” lie said. an irresponsible Opposition could, hold that kind 0 f view’. The' labour Party’s aim is to embarrass the Government politically and financially in canning on tlie affairs of. the country. They won’t accept any responsibility for the welfare of the country;” Mr Parry : That would, make a good record.

Mr Forbes: The Labour Party does 'everything it can in order to stir np discontent. Nothing would delight the Labour Party . more -than 1 . to, see the dountry’s finances crash, t don’t think allyp at ri otic - New • Zea la inter' feelt "t h«t way. .The •Labour Party holds that everythingthat. .is -wrong. I ljelievg tha-|;,’%sia'stefui as”this tax is it will cepted by the peole in the right spirit. I believe that, the rank and file of the people will recognise that there was n Q other alternative left to the Government.”