WARM RECEPTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1938, Page 10

WARM RECEPTIONS.

MR. SAVAGE ON TOUR.

ANSWER TO CRITICS.

it HAPPINESS EVERYWHERE." (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) • FEILDING, Monday. An official tour of the Wellington, Taranaki and Hawke's Bay provinces was commenced -this morning by the Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. M. J. Savage, accompanied by the Minister of Mines., the Hon. P. C. Webb.

The party stopped at Pukerua Bay, where the members were given a warm reception by the men of the Public Works Department.. Later, Mr. Savage visited Otaki, Levin, Shannon and Foxton, being met at Levin by Mr. C. L. Hunter, M.P. At each place the Prime Minister was welcomed by large crowds, whom he addressed, arriving at Feilding late this evening.

Mr. Savage was the guest of the Feilding branch of the Labour party at dinner, afterwards attending a civic reception in the Majestic Theatre, which was crowded. The Mayor of Feilding. Mr. T. L. Seddon, welcomed the Prime AJinister and Mr. Webb on behalf of the citizens, while the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., also expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr. Savage in Feilding in an official capacity. A welcome was also extended by Mr. S. Strachan, chairman of the Pohangina County Council, on behalf of the adjacent 'counties. Noting Development. "My main object in visiting the district and neighbouring localities is to meet the people and to see for myself at close range something of the conditions of life and work,.and to note the measure and direction of development," said Mr. Savage, who was given an enthusiastic reception.

"Even one day in tlic country is worth any number of i»odks, statistics and reports in giving it clear idea of the real prosperity of The rural areas, and the character and' energy of the men and women. The people themselves provide tfae best evidence of improved conditions. ■

"If one were to listen to the false testimony of the Government's opponents, it would almost appear that the whole country is in revolt against Labour and its progressive policy," the Prime Minister continued. "Nothing of the sort exists. All along the wayside pleasant receptions and generous hospitality have encouraged me be believe that the Government is ljot so black as some people with tar brushes would like to colour it.

"A great deligftt.at the outset of the tour has been, seeing so many happy people everywhere. Where could one find happier children than, those in New •Zealand to-day ?

"Some of my critics say I refer ;too frequently "to the better times.- People should remember the depression years. Nor should it be forgotten ' that j the Coalition Government ran truest to lorm in the Tory hobby of cutting wages and curtailing trade and general business, and maintaining tfie ancient adage,; "the poor are always 'with us. Mr. Savage said that in addition to promoting " manufactures as well as primary industry the Government was going forward with its policy of linking all the centres of population by .good roads and rail and air transport facilities. Everything would be done to make life' in the provincial _ towns just as attractive as in the cities. Encouragement to Farmers. "There has never been a time in the history of. New Zealand when the farmers got more practical encouragement from the State than they are receiving now from the Labour Government," continued t£ie Prime Minister. "I do not refer only to the guaranteed price of butterfat.. Even if the dairy farmers were foolish -enough to surrender the substance • for the .shadow and go back to the old rafferty rules of marketing and unstable prices, or, more foolish still, go blindfolded into maze of compensatory prices, it would still be true that the Labour Government is doing more to encourage farming interests than was ever done by any other Government."

Mr. Savage claimed that there was nothing savouring of dictatorship in the Industrial Efficiency Act, and nearly all applications of the licensing provisions "of the Act emanated from the industries themselves. vln no case had the bureau sought to impose licensing on anv industry 'not desiring it. Proof of the Government's efforts was that in 1937-38 over 1100 more factories were in operation than two. years previously.

Critics stated tliat Labour had discouraged the investment of capital in New, Zealand, said the Prime Minister. If any further indictation was needed to show- the thriving state of industry in the Dominion it was only necessary to point out that industry was achieving prosperity and at the same time paying more out in wages. For the year ended March. 1935, the total wages bill was £GG.OOO.OflO: >in March of this year it was £99,000,000.

Mr. Savage said that in the course of his tour lie would have something definite to say about the various phases of progress and development under the Labour Government. A recitation of the" - main facts should, make an end to. pessimism and political predictions of another slump.

The Prime Minister and his party were later guests at a dance arranged by the Feildihg branch' of the Labour party.