IN REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1938, Page 13

IN REVIEW.

LABOUR PROGRESS.

MR. LEE OPENS CAMPAIGN.

socialism: issue raised.

Before a crowd that packed tho firey Lynn Library hall and overflowed into the open air outside. Mr. J. A. Lee. M.P. for Grey Lynn and Under-Secrotary in Charjre of Housing, la*t night opened his election campaign with an address that lasted well over two hours and covered an extremely wide range of subject*.

Mr. Lee wa.s very warmly received hy the meeting, which was presided over by Mr. X. V. Douglas. Also on the platform was Mr. A. Campbell, who was Government member for the now extinct Chalmers electorate, and who. as Mr. Lee put it. wae defeated, not by the Opposition, but bv the IJmmdaries Commission.

Reference to the <|iiestiun of Socialism occupied a portion of Mr. Lee'n addre.-s. He set out to show that of some l.'iO pieces of socialistic legi-lation on tlie Xew Zealand Statute Books, sill hut about 15 were there Itefore Labour eamo. into offioe. He listed these measures. beginning with the State's entry during century into the telegraphic and railway systems.

'"You would have to tear Xew Zealand tip to pet rid of Socialism," Mr. Lee declared. "The illuiiiiiiiition in thi-> socialistic hall is from socialistic lights. Who developed socialistic hydro-elec-tricity? Coates and Forbes. Why. Mr. Coate-* built the socialistic balloon loop!"

Asked later whether the flovernmpiit intended to socialise all private enterprise, Air. Lee replied: "I think the Labour Government will have just about enough on its hands, during my lifetime at least, in looking after the major industries, in establishing new ones, and in taking charge of the monetary system."

The Government. Mr. Loo added, was the only one which had set out to protect small business against big "gangster" combines. That was always pro vided, of course, that tlie small cmcern wa* giving a good account of itself ami trying to serve the public interest.

Organisation of Wealth. Seven years ago, said Mr. Lee, in opening his address, when the Labour party was the Opposition, the country was in the midst of a terrible depression, which brought hardships and suffering on its people. But that depression, he declared, was the result of the refusal of those in control of political destinies to organise wealth in the interest* of all of the people. It was not due to a shortage of material commodities; it was not an act of God. Providence was bountiful then as never before, the world was wealthy as never before, but the Government of the day refused to organise this wealth.

Where under the previous Government there had been an increase in mieerv, poverty and distress, the Labour Government had brought happiness and prosperity; where the volume of production had been falling, under Labour it had increased, and so. too, had employment, -wages and the purchasing power of the people. Because of excessive mortgage debts thousands had been virtually insolvent, Mr. Lee continued. The State had now cut about £5,000,000 off mortgage indebtedness, relieving people who" for five years had been "on the operating table, five years without anaesthetic, and with the mortgagor hanging over them with a crosscut saw." ° The National Government had suspended public works; Labour had resumed them; increased the men employed on them by 0000; established decent conditions and paid decent wages. Labour had built fine roads, aided the backblocks, reorganised and expanded the defence system, the speaker went on, contrasting these achievements with those of the previous Government.

Increases in Production. "The Nationalists started boot pools and collected old boots, while boot factories were idle," Mr. Lee said. "Labour helped the industry back on to a sound footing. The Nationalists broke down the Arbitration Court and increased hours of work; we restored the Court and reduced hours. They smashed the apprenticeship agreement—they smashed industry so badly that tradesmen were compelled to give the agreement up. But now, with the restoration of purchasing power and industrial prosperity, the number of apprentices ba« jumped from 3000 to 8000, until ultimately we will probably have 20.000."

Referring to measures affecting children, Mr. Lee said Labour was extending dental service to all schools as rapidly as nurses could be trained for tjie work. They had brought back the five-year-olds, who had been chased out of the schools by the Nationalists. They had restored granCs to kindergartens, and extended the free milk scheme.

Devoting considerable time to pen eiona increases and extensions and to *he provisions of the new Social Security Act, llr. Lee declared no other Government had had so great a reverence for the home life of the country. It was prepared to do everything it could to build up the income of families tn decent standards. Mr. Liee then turned to a detailed examination of increases in production, which, he said, demonstrated the added buoyancy given to industry as a result otf good wages and high purchasing power. Retailers, he said, were not stocking their shelves with this

increased volume of goods for moths and age to corrupt. They were putting the goods there to be sold —and the people were buying them. "Additional Security." "Factory wages have increased from £l:i.Ood.<>OO in }!W"> to fIS.OtIO.OOO in ISW7. :in increase <>f f.'i.000.000.'" lie continued. ■Mr. Hamilton says lie wants to get costs down. He probably wants to get them down liv that f.1.1Hf0.000."

Employment increases which he further quoted were heal up by Mr. Lee as an evidence, of a great increase in the volume of wealth an<l a great increase in the army of people producing that wealth and distributing it to the country. As ait example, the mtiulier of shop assistants, had increased in three years by 1.").145. Why? he a*ked. Jt was because tll« wage earners were getting more, because the pensioners were getting more, because there was additional security. Factories had increased in number by lti(K) and shops by 3(MH).

As regarded the cost of living, said Mr. Lee, prices had risen by 12J per cent. lH>tween 10: i."> and 10.18. but wages had risen l>v 24 per cent. Not only had wages risen further than prices, but more people were employed, and employed regularly. "What have they to oiler in opposition?" a«ked Mr. Lee. Voices*: Utits! Mr. I believe the ugly duckling is to be liberated to-morrow morning. Hut it is my firm conviction that no matter what happens in the interim the mind of New Zealand is already made up. In all parts of New Zealand men and women are joining the Labour p.irty right and loft. We have received assistance in a way we have never known before.

Money was not going to determine the election, however, Mr. la'c added. If it could, their opponents would win. What really counted was the impression left in tlit- ihukU and hearts of the people. (Applause.)