LONDON BORROWING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1939, Page 5

LONDON BORROWING

MINISTER ON “CALAMITY HOWLERS.” MAINTENANCE OF LIVING STANDARDS. (Rv Telegran h —Press Association > WELLINGTON, This Day. ■ “The Government will never agree to reduce the men, women and children of this country to a state of penury in coming to terms with anybody.” said the Minister of Education. Mr Fraser during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House yesterday. “I want to make that as clear as English can make it. The position in London at present is delicate, but it is in very competent hands. I speak for the vast majority of the people when I say that the homes of the people are'going to ; be safeguarded, and that there will be no lowering of the standard of living.” It had been said, Mr Fraser continued, that the Government should be ashamed to go to London for money, but was> the Opposition». ashamed of having done so.. The ordinary practice in the past had been to borrow to make up the difference between imports and loan payments, and export receipts. In going to London, the Government was merely paying for the sins of past administrations. “In so far as members of the Opposition become calamity howlers, they are injuring the credit of the country." said Mr Fraser. “The position of the vast majority of the people of New Zealand is more stable, and their standard of living is higher than at any time in the history of this country. The Government has improved practically every public service. The Government is faced with difficulties, some of whjch have not yet been overcome. They will all be overcome, in spite of a hit-and-run Opposition which runs more than it hits, and of a section of the Press, it will go on to maintain and ultimately enhance the standard of living . . .”