MOTOR IMPORTATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 729, 31 July 1929, Page 6

MOTOR IMPORTATIONS

CONDEMNED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VARIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED Press Association WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Discussion on many topics took place when the Imprest Supply BUI was before the Legislative Council today. The Hon. J. Cralgie condemned the importation of motor-cars, which he described as gross extravagance, and said if it had not been for that much more capital would be available today for developmental purposes. He advocated higher duties, especially on foreign cars. The most heroic policy New Zealand could adopt would be one of free trade. He urged the Government to settle unemployed workers rent free as a start to their settlement policy and advocated a steep graduated land tax to break up large estates. The Hon. A. S. Malcolm deprecated that bread had been made artificially dearer through sliding duties on wheat. He contended millers and bakers were benefiting by the duties and not farmers. It was not fair to penalise the people by placing a tax on bread. The Hon. E. Newman advocated classification of land according to its suitability for closer settlement. The Hon. G. M. Thomson said the Government should bring all the fisheries of the Dominion under one control. Overhaul of acclimatisation societies was required, as most of

them were doing nothing to improve the scientific aspect of fishing. The Hon. W. Earnshaw said the means being taken by the Government regarding unemployment were likely to prove disastrous to the State and the men themselves. In Wellington he alleged relief workers were going slow and making jobs last as long as possible. The Hon. G. J. Garland declared there was an excessive number of public servants in the Dominion, and many of them were not giving efficient service. He advocated trade reciproeity within the Empire, but a harsh tariff against American motor-cars. Regarding wheat duties, the Leader of the Council, the Hon. T. K. Sidey, thought it desirable that New Zealand should depend on its own supplies. The duties should be regarded in the light of insurance. The Bill was passed.