MANY TOPICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1939, Page 7

MANY TOPICS

WiDE RANGING DEBATE IN HOUSE ECONOMIC AND OTHER ISSUES. IMPREST BILL PASSED. By Telegraph—Press: Association—Copyright. WELLINGTON. This Day. Exchange control and import restrictions were the main subjects discussed during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday. The original intention had been io circulate and discuss Ministerial answers to questions before proceeding with the debate, but this course was not followed and steps to introduce the Bill were taken immediately after the formal business at the commencement of the sitting. The debate was inaugurated by Mr W. J. Polson (Opposition, Stratford), who contended that the Government’s import restriction policy was a story of stupidity, blundering and ignorance of the cardinal principles of economics. It had, he said, been responsible for hardship, stress and and had brought about the loss of goodwill between Great Britain and New Zealand. Other Opposition speakers spoke in similar strain. The import selection plan was defended by the Ministers of Industries and Commerce. Mr Sullivan, whose observations are reported in another column. Nationalisation of the Bank of New Zealand and control by the State of basic industries, such as woollen, mills and coal mines, was advocated by Dr D. G. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West). He was followed by the Rt Hon G. W. Forbes (Opposition. Hurunui), who said the Government failed when it came to ordinary prudent business precautions. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton) said Dr McMillan’s statement was designed to create scare and panic. Amendments made to the Hire Purchase Agreements Bill by the Statutes Revision Committee were reported to the House. A. new clause has been inserted in the Bill fixing penalties for attempts to defraud the vendor of goods subject to a hire-purchase agreement.’ The Imprest Supply Bill, for which urgency was taken, provides for two months’ supply, amounting to £ll,488,000. The Bill was passed, and the House rose at 11.27 p.m. till today.