MR HOLLAND'S SPEECH.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 16 March 1927, Page 4

MR HOLLAND'S SPEECH.

Press Assoolsiw^,,

\ MR'COATES REPLIES. ^ \

K?er

/WELLINGTON, March" 15. • Commenting on the criticism of his statement regarding unemployment and the Government measures to cope therewith, the Hon. J. G. Coates said that he deprecated treating the questioa as a party. matter for political purposes. The' country was temporarily facing ai real national problem from a national point. of view by attempting to make political capital out of such a situation. The Government was just as sympathetic as any other political party with the man out of work through no fault of hi^ own, and had shown its sympathy, in a practical way by employing large numbers ,of men in excess of the normal requirements. The national income had shrunk and ii£ the circumstances the nation must reduce expenditure. The Government was not responsible for such!' a situation. The consequence of spending more than was earnedl were the same for the nation as for the individual. A sensible man' woiild strain every nerve to take all steps to rectify the balance andl lose no opportunity of reducing expenditure. Other people, -however, would merely continue in Ihe ordinary way hoping that some miracle ' would save them. "I need not point out the folly of such a course wheif applied to the Government of stl country, and it is my intention to keep down national expenditure in! every feasible direction, and at the same time explore every possibilityj for increlasing the national revehue."