WORK OF SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 113, 14 May 1937, Page 3

WORK OF SESSION.

MR. J. A. LEE'S ADDRESS

DOMINION'S PROSPERITY.

NATIONALISTS CRITICISED

Referring to the National party at a public meeting of his constituents at the Grey Lynn Library Hall last evening, the Under-Seeretary Tor Housing, Mr. J. A. Lee. said that next election was drawing close and members of the party opposed to the Government were afraid of what might happen to them if they did not get on the hustings. Hi: diil not think, however, that anybody would predict the defeat of the Labour party u' the next election. Having no policy, the National party engaged in the old game of abuse.

"Times have changed, and there is a more prosperous and buoyant feeling in the community to-day than there has been for years," said Mr. Lee. Eighteen months ago everybody could feel that a change was coming, but it was predicted by the opponents of the present Government that if Labour gained the Treasury Benches people would lose their savings bank deposits. Even Mr. Doidge and Mr. Bodkin had said as much. "But nobody has lost his deposit."' said Mr. Lee. "and there are a few more million.; on deposit in the savings bunks now than nt that time."

To illustrate that the country was passing through bettor times, Mr. Leo na id the marriage rate had gone up. Girls could not be retained in offices in Wellington. Large numbers of them were being married. Many of these girls bad paid for their boys to go to the pictures during the depression, but with the altered conditions, the l>ovs were now in work and able to marry. The decline in the birth rate had been checked and the tendency 7io\v wae for the figures to move up again.

Tn'reviewing the work of last session of Parliament, Mr. Lee refenvd to the Public Works agreement, under which men were to receive not less than 10/ a day. That was better than 10/ a week which men received in "slave camps'' under the last Government, commented the speaker. On Public Works there were 20,000 men employed, and their average earnings were 19/7 a day. Tn addition, the men received two weeks' holiday a year on pay. Opponents of the Government were endeavouring to make people believe that rural areas were in revolt against the guaranteed price for dairy produce. He refuted this statement, and said no farming voice was being raised in protest. The producers, supported the guaranteed price. In Taranaki farmers had passed votes of thanks to the Labour Government for what had been accomplished.

After making a brief reference to the national superannuation scheme that was to be brought before Parliament next session. Mr. Lee said that later on lie would like to see a measure introduced for motherhood endowment. The mother should receive additional increment for every child born. That was one way to increase population.

Despite heavy rain, the meeting was well attended. Mr. W. Masters presided. A motion was parried unanimously expressing confidence in Mr. Lee n« its representative for Grey Lynn and appreciation of tvhat the Government had done for the people.