ELECTORS' CHOICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 10

ELECTORS' CHOICE

NEW MANDATE.

LABOUR'S FAITH.

LEADER CONFIDENT.

MR. SAVAGE'S ADDRESS.

" PEOPLE'S SAVINGS SAFE."

1 ' leiirnph. -Own Correspondent.)

w LLLINf.rON, this day

Ihe National party has chosen t.>

reprociit the issue at this election as a death struggle between pi ix ate ertfer I'lise and Socialism," said the Prime Minister, the lu. Hon. M. J. Savage, his address in the Wellington Town Hull last evening. "That is pure rub k'*' l, 11 '* » contest between doing things and sitting down waiting for things to turn up.''

The ( >pp(>„'t ion policy, he declared, was remarkable both for what it •""it-ted and fur what it stated. The Labour < ernnient was creating a new social Older with higher standards of li\i|ig ami a greater measure of happiness and pro-perity lor the averuge man and woman. As a democratic party it was asking for an emphatic popular mandate to translate that faith into leality. The leader of the National party was seeking to divide the countrv on two main issues, social security and gua iii n I eed prices. ' I accept that challenge now, " Mr. SHWiye said. "We will liglit it on that. If the people do not want the social security proposals tiicv will have to get rid of me and the Government. These proposals are going into operation. I am not threatening anybodi. \ou can depend on me to carry out the pledges | am making to you in the name of Labour. "The National party has said it will pay the guaranteed price for the present season, then the system wil( end. The Nationalists say they are going to give back the ownership of the produce to the producer. I have yet to learn that the producer does not own his produce. The Government ha« only bought, it ftom him when it teaches the shin's Hide." 1

Mr. Hamilton was asking the dairy farmer to exchange the substance for •hadow, he continued, but after all there was ot»'v one point at issue, the price. The dairy farmer knew well enough where ho #tood, ard all he asked was that the farmer should compare hi* position before and after the guaranteed price came into operation.

"I do not take my promises to you lightly,' Mid Mr. Savage. "I know the meaning of word, quite well. I want to be able to spend the remainder of my days in your service. I will do that, too, with God § help and with yours. (Applauae.) I don't want anything but your goodwill."

Wag# Samara' Position. * The Government had done more to increase the equity of the farmer in the last three years than the Nationalists would do if they were in power for 10.3 year*, he Jeclared. Thousands of been adjusted, and £4,000,000 had been written off under the Government'* mortgage relief legislation. Laet year £1,500,000 was voted lor the improvement of country roads. The wage earners had no illtmions about who raised their wages, improved their and gave them the 40-hour week.

"We can't otand ttill. We mast go on back. Which way ehall we go!" asked Mr. Savage.

Voicea: Go on. Mr. Savage : That will do me. Everyone should know which way to vote when it come* to a ifueetion of whether the aggregate should be 1tf8.000.000 or £100,000,000 a year. «.«♦ !"* h?*" " id th « fc the Government is out to destroy religion," he «fn" U °J? F°P h ? ot 30/ * k L « destroying religion. It u ha kingdom of God on •arth. It haa alao been aaid that the u / r 7 in ff ®» the election to get it over before f pass away. If I th * reactionary forcea In New Zealand smashed I shall be ready to

•odal Security Vote. U that th ® National party In the House did not oppose the Social Security Bill ? aaked Mr. Savage. They had said thOra were things ia it that wanted, but now they .aid they would w. u°TJi to °P #r * t *- They couldn't Aave it both wajfl.

{ Referring to chargaa that boys and iris werei to be taxed under the scheme, a said there waa no inaurance comeauM ***• the same 's?i! .?* d * n,ed that " th ® bo 7« and Jn V * 7 th * ,r Ptrent * would b * en the " rst Oovernmeni i? £ 7 OU n * • ,MceM f«l housing policy. MOO h d nn ra,,e l d nder# tor mo ' e than l.fci 'I 1 The Nationalism„ m A a P rlv »t* building programme at the rate of 5000 houses a ST. »»JSCT *"• «'"*>

"My pledge I, that the people's savJlJmi \u "n f "L y inv§ate<l an 'l the public credit will he intelligently used when necessary, for the creation of assets for the people," he said In replying to criticisms that savings were end»„ ppr*d. p l **! t He worried by ncaremou Im not *oJn* to pledge rnTuclf to you Without knowing what I a .:t talking about. I know the Government I am working with. I will be able to meet you in the days to come and look

you square in the eye." Use of Broadcasting. Inferring to his statement that he re«erved the right to use the broadcasting system when he liked, he told his audience that he had no Mention of using It to defend himself. But I did have the intention of using it if nece«»«ary to defend the honour and credit of New Zealand.- he added. "There tire people in New Zerland to-d«y who would close up every bunk in tiiij country to defeat this Government. They are ready to do this to-morrow, but thank heavens the banks are hett, ;r off to day than ever.- Those who are cackling on the hustings to-day nr; mulling no imprenlrtn on the intelligence of the country. I wij] use the broadcast *erric« if necessary, hut I will look after ajMli irltkaat broadcasting."

Pledge of Support. The following motion was carried unanimously: "That this mass meeting of Wellington citizens thank* the Prime Minister tor his masterly and inspiring review of the political situation in New Zealand and his explanation of the Labour party's election policy, an<l liere liv records sincere appreciation of the splendid work he and his Cabinet colleagues and the Parliamentary Labour party have accomplished in three years in transforming'the economic, industrial and social life of the people; that we are proud of the work thoy have done and look forward with confidence to a continuation of their splendid achievements after election day; further, that we exprc«s complete confidence in the Prune Minister and the La hour Government. and pledge ourselves to work untiringly for their return on October I.V Prolonged applause and cheering followed. Mr. Savage had an enthusiastic Ilea ring throughout.