LIVELY CRITICISMS OF REFORM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 706, 4 July 1929, Page 6

LIVELY CRITICISMS OF REFORM

Address in Reply Debate

WAR ON BIG LAND-OWNER PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Wednesday. IN' contrast with procedure in former years the first fulldress debate of the session, the Address-in-Reply, which opened this evening, was quite bright, with plenty of exchanges to relieve the monotony of speakers praising their own party heartily, or condemning the Opposition in good, round terms.

It was a full-dress debate, but aftei the style of, say, a bachelors’ banquet, with quips and bright remarks flowing freely. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Central Otago) moved to present a “respectful ad-

dress," and Mr. G. C. Munns (Roskill) seconded the motion. Mr. Bodkin launched a scathing attack on the late Government and its land policy, his chief mark being "squattocraey." He used his hands with telling effect, and held the attention of the House, rousing the Opposition benches at times to derision; but having ready, and nearly always, a crushing reply for the interjectors. Ho met with the approval of Labour, which punctuated portions of the speech with “Hear, hear's,” and other expressions. Mr. Munns elaborated on the Government policy, and finished before his time was up. Both men were roundly applauded at the beginning and end of the speeches, and both rereceived congratulatory handshakes when the House rose at 9.12 to adjourn to 2.30 tomorrow. The wheels of oratory in this debate will continue turning, it is anticipated, for at least a fortnight. After formal opening with references to the health of the King, the Governor-General, and the death of the Chief Justice, Sir Charles Skerrett, Air. Bodkin went on to analyse the problem of unemployment which, he said, was due to the absence of a. land policy in the past. The three main avenues of employment were the primary and secondary industries and the tourist traffic. Every person in -Yew Zealand was entitled to employment and all employment ultimately depended on the primary industries. The reason why the farming industry had failed was because the Government had failed. That was the basic cause of unemployment. Many young people could not get on to the land because the administration was bad. The Reform Government for 16 years had had no land settlement policy. WEALTHY SQUATTERS The Reform Government was not concerned with land settlement or subdivision. it war concerned with 92 squatters whose leases Were expiring the leases were renewed, and a child born at that time would be middle-aged before the land was again available for subdivision. Similarly with runuoldlngs whose leases were renewed for 66 years, entitling a child of toto an old-age pension before land is available. Further, wealthy squatters formed themselves into limited liability companies to control lands they could not hold themselves singly. They could avoid income-tax to the full amount as one Southern man, forming a limited liability comllia wite bad done, to control ■So.OOO acres under two titles. Both claimed full exemptions from incomes';, standard of honour was , at. (Labour murmurs of approval.) Some of the men laid themselves open to criminal charges under the Land Act u “•* u an y wonder that, with big holders controlling the lands, the whole economic position was wrong'’ Secondary* industries were languishing because their existence depended on the nourishing conditions of primary indus-

Mr. Bodkin went on to mention fruitcanning and apricot-growing, which acre threatened from outside. He V. rS she5 he <3overnm cnt, in reviewing the tariff to protect these industries. He congratulated the Government on the V.ay it was tackling unemployment and land settlement. The policy had to bo a big one, propounded by big men against the interests of big landowners Arrears of 16 years had to be made up. Ihe Government would have to make it difficult for big owners to hold on to large areas. (Hear, hear, and dense Opposition laughter.) B S Reform members and the Rt. Hon. Header of the Opposition xntty well laugh and be embarrassed, but it is the case of the sinner being lound out in his sin. (Order.) Mr. W. Lee Martin (Raglan): Now you re stirring- them up. MULTITUDE OF SINS

-Mr. Bodkin continued, amid Opposition laughter, that he hoped the graduated land tax would be made to hurt the Dig owner. The land speculator ;uso had to be dealt with. He described him as farming the farmer. There was more laughter from the Opposition, which Mr. Bodkin characterised as “covering a multitude of sins.” “If there is another election,” he continued, “tears will begin to fall.” More Reform chuckles and “order” from Mr. Speaker. Mr. Bodkin went on to deal with the tourist traffic, which should be treated as a business proposition. New Zealand offered wonderful attractions, sporting and scenic, fo the traveller. The North and South Island of New Zealand could offer a wonderful trip to the Australian business man. who would bring money to the country. Dealing with relief works. Mr. Bodkin urged the Government to develop lands in the North Island which would provide work for unemployed and restore the economic position. Similarly in Central Otago, where irrigation could be carried out. Regarding education. Mr. Bodkin expressed pleasure at the policy of the Hon. H. Atmore in including agriculture. Mr. Coates: What is the policy? Mr. Bodkin said that Mr. Coates reminded him of the story of the man who asked the photographer to take him as he was. If Mr. Coates was taken with the Minister of Education and the plate were developed it would show Mr. Coates in a fog. In addition, before the camera clicked, Mr. Coates should put on a dunce’s cap. The camera could not lie. (Laughter.) The end of the speech was received with prolonged applause from the whole House. It was an impressive beginning. MR. MUNNS’S SPEECH Seconding, Mr. G. C. Munns (Roskill) referred to Government assistance In the earthquake area, and spoke of bringing another Eden out of the wilderness in the scientific treatment of pumice lands. He agreed with Mr. Bodkins remarks regarding land aggregation which he characterised as one of the worst evils that could befall a young country. The Government had acquired for subdivision 9.127 acres at an average of .£2l Is fed. There had been 160 applicants for 12 holdings. The settlement of Crown lands would be gone on with this session, as the Minister of Lands was introducing legislation to this effect.

ir Dealing with aviation, Mr. Munns j said that there seemed to be an impression that the Government was making haste slowly in this respect, but the task was a stupendous one, as 44 landing-places had to be chosen and equipped. Local bodies had to do

their bit in helping the Government in i getting landing grounds. New Zealand also had to train pilots, and it was pleasing to know that young men in the country could be trained into pilots. Aviation could not be attacked by violent pacifists, as it was necessary to defend homes and property. A Voice: Why militarise it? Referring to industrial peace, Mr. Munns said that New Zealand could learn a lesson from strikes in Australia. Mr. H. E. Holland (Labour Leader): Australia’s trouble is not a strike but a lock-out. The causes advanced by Mr. Munns for unemployment were modern machinery and female labour. He also referred to the restricting influence of of the apprenticeship quota, arousing Labour criticism. Something was wrong when New Zealand boys could not learn trades. It must be righted. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton): Good old Tory argument. You ought to be on the other benches. IMPORTANT WORKS There were the Labour interjections and Mr. Speaker had to call for order. Mr. Munns went on to refer to the need for providing work for unemployed. Such works as Paeroa-Pokeno railway—(Mr. A. M. Samuel, Thames: Hear, hear) —the Morningside (Auckland) tunnel, or Waitemata bridge were as good works for relief as any others. Why should there be a distinction between standards and relief works, when what was wanted was 20 shillings for 20 shillings expenditure?

Dealing with railway policy, Mr. Munns said that the Government had been elected on a promise to complete certain railways. This was a controversial subject.

Mr. Coates: Be careful. Mr. Munns: I don’t need to be careful, Mr. Speaker. He went on to say that the question of the South Island Main Trunk completion. was merely the history of the North Island line repeating itself. The Government was going, rightly or wrongly, to complete the line. Mr. Coates: Rightly or wrongly? Mr. Munns: Honourable members will forgive a young member making a slip. I meant rightly or wrongly in the opinion of some honourable, members.

In respect to wheat duties, Mr. Munns said that quite a number of the House had been elected on a promise to remove the wheat duties. He would like to see them removed, but from information gained in the House he could see that abolition could not be carried out. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Munns concluded with remarks on the necessity of buying New Zea-land-made goods.