BUTTER PRICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1920, Page 5

BUTTER PRICE.

LAST DEBATE HELD. ! ,NO CHANGE TO BE MADE. ; MR, HOLLAND'S ANGRY THREAT S (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. Members who have been pressing for an opportunity to discuss the report of the Butter Committee were given another innings this afternoon. The report had already been before the House twice, and had been talked out on each occasion. The Government, in the meantime, has adopted the committee's reciiinraendation, and proclaimed the new p 'ice of butter. Labor members protested loudly today against what they termed the Government's disregard of the will of Par--1 talent, their reference being to an amendment moved by Mr. J. McCombs (.Lyttelton) proposing that the report should be referred back to the committee in order that the price might be flted at Is fid. The report was talked out again today without a vote on the amendment 'being reached, and as the Prime Minister stated that he did not think the report would be before the House again this session, the butter arrangement may bn regarded as completed. The d'bate to-day did not throw much new lijht on any phase of the subject. The rr.embers were limited to ten minutes e;ich, and many who wished to speak did not succeed in catching the Speaker's eye.

The Minister for Agriculture suggested bluntly that the people who were a'aking the most noise about the price o| butter could help themselves beat by consuming a little less and working more. The dairy farmer was the hardest working worker in this country, and he received a smaller wage than most of the people who were objecting to his getting [in increase.

Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) advocated an export tax 1 , and accused the farmers of inconsistency. They wanted a free market for butter, but they wanted the prohibition of the export of t!imber maintained in order that the world prices might not rule in the local timber market. They demanded the full export price of butter, but wished the Govemmnet to help them to avoid tnking the present export price of wool nnv that the price has dropped. Then the representatives of the dairy ing districts stated the case for the dairy farmer, and insisted that he was ri>)t getting all he earned, even at present prices. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labor Tarty, told the House angrily that the Government was blocking full discussion of an issue that contained the germs of the biggest industrial trouble New Zealand had ever seen. He advised the workers to demand at once increases of wages sufficient to cover the addition that was being made to the cost of living. A dozen members were on their feet when the last speaker was called with itbout one minute to go.

THE DISCUSSION. LIVING BECOMING DEARER. THE LATEST INCREASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the discussion in the House, Mr. McCombs, in concluding his speech in support of his amendment moved on the previous day, thought the price of biittur should be fixed at Is 9d to the cons'imer, and he had shown how this could be done without drawing on the ordinal'}' revenues of the Dominion. He wished to correct an; impression which is being assidupusly fostered that the Government was providing its proposed subsidy by increases in death duties, whereas only £loo'ooo would be available from that source during the financial year. Most of the money would have to be drawn from the Consolidated Fund, tie lsirgest to which would he through the Customs Department. Money in the Consolidated Fund which would be made available for this purpose could more legitimately have been used to increase old age pensions, widows' pensions, superannuation to retired public servants, railwayinen, and teachers, and by assisting friendly societies. In fixing the price of butter at 2s 3d instead of at la Del, the Government would be adding to the cost of living.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan, in seconding Mr. McCombs' amendment, spoke of the close relationship between the cost of butter and the high cost of living, which had further increased during the past two months by 8.6. Mr. 0. Hawken (Egmont) claimed that an export tax advocated by Mr, Isitt would hit the poor man as heavily as the rich man. which was the strongest argument against it. It was the most unfair and unjust form of tax that could be imposed on any community. Mr. R. Masters (StratfoTd), and Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki), favored the recommendation of the Butter Committee. Unless that was done a tax of £600,000 would be placed on the shoulders of 250,000 butter producers, with the result that butter production would soon cease. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.

conclusion of the Court proceedings on a charge of murder the accused should be tendered as a witness for the Crown in the Coronial inquiry." After further discussion, in which Mr, Singer contended the proceeding was most improper, Thorn entered the box. He declined to answer questions. The Coroner then brought in a verdict that the death of Eyre was caused by a gun shot while asleep in his bed, the gun being fired by someone outside the house who was familiar with the premises. Mr. Poynton then resumed his seat on the Bench, and the accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial.