BUDGET DEBATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1938, Page 5

BUDGET DEBATE

DEFENCE AND OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED Minister Defends Settlement Policy PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES SUBMITTED (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Financial Debate was continued in the House of Representatives last night, when six more speakers took part. Government members contributed five speeches and the Opposition one. Fourteen members have spoken in the debate since it commenced last Thursday night'. With the exception of the Minister of Lands, the Hon F. Langstone, all of yesterday’s speakers were back-benchers. Mr Langstone was preceded by Mr W. J. Polson (Opposition, Stratford), who criticised the Government’s attitude toward Empire defence. He said that he was not prepared to entrust the affairs of this country to a party that ignored the necessity for sending men overseas in a time of extremity. The Budget proposals were also discussed by Mr Polson, who said they were built on political bribery. The land settlement policy of the Government was defended by Mr Langstone, who outlined the assistance given to settlers under the Land Development Act. He said that since he had charge of the administration of the Lands and Survey Department he had granted 5,308 titles to land. The Public Works Estimates and several important reports were presented at the commencement of the afternoon sitting. These included the annual report of the Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank. Another report was that of the State Forest Service, which outlined a proposed five-year plan of forestry works. The House adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until today.