INDUSTRIAL SOCIALISM BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 14

INDUSTRIAL SOCIALISM BILL.

Xo wonder the Hon. Mr. Sullivan had [ a smile on his face when he departed from Auckland, for had he not received the approval of the Manufacturers' Association to his proposed socialisation of all industries in the Dominion of Xew Zealand? Before it is too late I would urge and advise the manufacturers to consider what they are approving. First, I would draw their attention to the fact that the Socialistic Minister becomes the Socialistic The proposed bill provides for the setting up of various committees for the purpose of standardising production, rationalisation, and numerous other high-sounding phrases, which are all under the sole and absolute control of the Minister, against whose decision there is no appeal. He is the Stalin-Hitler of Dominion industry. Xow, just what does this mean —just what is intended in the first place? It is against the Constitution of the British Empire that sole and absolute control should be vested in the hands of any individual. The Kings of England in bygone days held this power. It was against the kingly dictatorship our forefathers fought and died —to give birth to the Mother of Parliaments. To-day, in the Dominion of Xew Zealand, the socialistic dictators, with the aid and support of the Trades Hall secretary, the Honourables Xash, Semple, Sullivan, Fraser, Armstrong—have far more power than the King-Emperor has; there is no possible appeal to Court or King. At the next election, unless some drastic action is taken, the Parliamentary vote in the Dominion will be on the same plan as in Russia, Italy and Germany. The radio, the screen, will be brought into use; the Press will be prohibited freedom of criticism; the election will be a farce.

Under the proposed bill Government inspectors will have the right to inspect the books, systems used by all firms, to order this or that system of bookkeeping and machinery to be used, to reduce the number of patterns produced, to zone the area in which this or that factory can sell its output, to grant licenses or withhold them on exactly the same principle as the principle employed in the granting or withholding of transport licenses. How many people realise the fact that to-day the cement companies are not permitted to sell cement to the South Island? I state, definitely and positively, that it is the intention of the Socialistic Dictator to adopt precisely the same principles to all industry—to dictate the materials that shall be used, the sizes and shapes of all boots, shoes, clothing, etc.; personal taste will be limited strictly to approved designs. Trading will be zoned, prices regulated. The financial dictator will have—has now—the power to dictate to the importers the goods they will be permitted to import. The amount of exchange will be allocated according to dictates, the Socialistic party will have the power to nominate one or more workers' directors to sit on the board of all companies, private or public. To-day the employer has no control over the hours worked, wages paid, etc. The Arbitration Court is a farce. The Trades Hall demanded a 40-hour week. As a >smoke screen tlie employer was given the right' to appeal to the Arbitration Court, which in a number of cases has given 44 hours per week. We all know the result; the trade unions refuse to accept the decision. Sooner or later the genuine worker will realise faefs as they are here. The day of reckoning will be a heavy one. It is not, too late for the individual business man —the employer is still in a position to successfully defy socialism, which will take from him his freedom, socialise his business and his home. Should, however, this bill become law it will be too late. The Industrial Control Bill is what it claims to be—the socialisation of all industry, trade and commerce under the sole and absolute control of the appointees of the dictator, subject to his absolute dictation. CITIZEN.