INDEPENDENTS' VIEWS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 164, 4 March 1932, Page 5

INDEPENDENTS' VIEWS

(Press, Assn.-

SEPARATE .NO COPfFIDENGE MOTION MOVED BY MR. WILKIN^ON fNfEREST, RENTS, EXCHANGE

-By Telegrauh — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Independent members made their debut into the deliberations of the House of Representatives to-day when Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) moved an amendment to Mr. Holland's vote of no confidence. Mr. Wilkinson moved: That the Government does not possess the confidence of this House because of its failure to submit proposals to reduce the rates of interest on both private and public debts; to reduce bank overdraft rates and rents, and further, because it has not taken steps to provide for a full and open investigation into the banking, currency and credit systems operating in this Dominion." Mr. Wilkinson said that it appeared to him that the Government had adopted the Ref orui- Party's policy and the real leader of the country was the Minister of Public Works (the Rt. Hori. J. G. Coates). There was no doubt that the country was in a very serious position, but so far there had been no indication of any policy for dealing with the position. Interest rates to-day were too high and there were many people who were unable to meet their commitments. The State had shown no inclination to assist people who had borrowed money from the Government lending departirients. (He knew of cases in which there had been threats to sue when there was only one instalment overdue. Such tactics were- nothing less than savagery. During the iast election campaign the Government had stampetfed the country and created a psychology of f ear which had done much to bring about the present state of affairs. He ventured to say that if the people had had another three weeks or a month in which to decide, the Coalition would not have been returned with such a majority. M:r. Wilkinson said he had no hesitation in saying that if the exchange rate were artificially increased it wo\ild result in disaster. There was an impression that if the exchange wqre f orced up the producers would get a better priqe for their goods, but nothing of the kind wpuld happen. It wqs the people of New Zealand who woujd have to carry the burden. The amendment was secon^led by Capt. H: M. Rushworth (Country, Bay of Islands) , and on a division it was dqfeated by 49 votes to 26 votes, Captain Rushworth, Mr. G. G. Black, and Mr. H. Atmore voting for it in addition to the Labour Party.