NEW WOMEN'S CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 12

NEW WOMEN'S CLUB.

ADDRESS BY MR. LYON

The New Women's Club lield ail interesting meeting in the Fabian Clubrooms at its last meeting, the speaker for the afternoon being Mr. W. .T. Lyon, M.P. for Waitemata. Mrs. Darlow presided. Under the title . "Parliamentary Review," Mr. Lyon delivered a straightforward and convincing address 011 accomplished legislation to date. Working with the basic principle always in sight of the simple right of every person to good food, clothes and shelter, Mr. Lyon claimed that the Government had fully carried out the policy which carried it into . power. Commenting briefly on the much discussed guaranteed price, the speaker asked his listeners to bear in mind that in fixing the guaranteed price the Government was obliged to pay due regard to the immense importance of overseas trade. It could not sacrifice this trade, even to ensure a better standard of living for the people of New Zealand. Therefore, as soon as goods were on board for shipment the guaranteed price was cheated by the National Reserve Bank without any cost whatever. Reviewing the legislation governing the restoration ol cuts, Mr. Lyon was of the opinion that a comparative view must be taken. In spite of the higher prices, the purchasing power of the people was still higher than in 1931. Every sane person realised that levy had to be made on production in order to bring about any improvement in conditions generally. The Government's aim, sajd Mr. Lyon, was not to give a good article cheap, but to see the people receive a first-class article for a first-class price. There_\vas a "Breach of Profiteering" Act now in force, to which all could 'appeal for any violation of this policy. Mr. Lyon paid a generous compliment to the wonderful quality of New Zealand made goods, and asked his feminine audience in particular to endeavour to overcome their admitted prejudice to the local article. In reviewing pensions, said the speaker, the difficulty of individual injustice always arose, but the, Government had endeavoured to work 011 an "average need" basis.