NATIONAL CRITIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 13

NATIONAL CRITIC.

PARTIES COMPARED.

LABOUR PARTY'S PROGRESS.

MR. SCHRAMM'S ATTACK.

A trenchant criticism of the National party, and the Freedom Association, a survey of the Labour Government's attainments and plans for the future, with special reference to it's social security legislation, were features of the meeting addressed by Mr. F. W. Schramm, Government candidate for Auckland East in the State Theatre, Devonport, last night.

Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, Mayor of Devonport, presided. Every seat in the theatre was occupied and many who were unable to gain admission were served by a loud speaker fitted to the verandah of the building.

The speaker asked his audience to compare the two parties and make their choice as to which party beet suited the people of New Zealand. He submitted that Mr. Savage had carried out all the promises he. had mp.de. One of the most important was the social security legislation. When this scheme was first mooted, protest* were made against the measure by the National party and the Press from one end of the country to the other, yet after advancing every possible argument against it the Nationalists did not have the political courage to vote against it in the House.

"Death Bed Repentance." Referring to the National party's manifesto, published in the "Star," Mr. [ Schramm said that Mr. Hamilton now I came along and, as a sort of "death bed repentance," offers what he termed a "go-ahead policy, serving the vital interest of everybody in the community." » "Don't forget," said Mr. Schramm, "that when the Hamilton party taxed you 1/ in the f, and later Bd, they gave you nothing for it. But Labour is more advanced, which is as it should be, for this is a country of progressive social legislation and experiment."

New Zealand could afford to expend millions of pounds sending soldiers to war to be shot to pieces, he said. Now the time had come when the country should spend millions on keeping people alive and making them good, healthy citizens. (Applause.)

After outlining the benefits of the social security legislation, Mr. Schramm said the people would receive these all for 1/ in the £, against nothing for the same amount of taxation paid during the Coates-Forbes regime. Under the Government's new legislation they would get full value for their money. He did not think any reasonable person would complain about paying 1/ in the £ out of their wages or income to benefit in the greatest social security measure ever put forward in the civilised world. Tt was only a start, and the Government would improve on it as the years went by. When Mr. Lloyd George* introduced a similar scheme in England the medical profession opposed it as they had done in New Zealand, but in England, when the twenty-first birthday of the scheme was celebrated, the doctors who opposed it at the start gave Mr. Lloyd George wonderful testimonial in which they described it as the greatest humanitarian scheme ever introduced to England. (Applause.)

Comparing the records of the two Governments, National and Labour, Mr. Schramm said the former pauperised thousands of people, and now they promised all aorta of nice things—things they refused to do when they were in power. It had been misery and poverty under the old Government, but now the people had a humanitarian Government which had restored happiness and prosperity. (Cheers.) "To read the daily papers you would think that Mr. Hamilton was a second Messiah," continued Mr. Schramm. "And that funny little man, Professor Algie—(laughter). He believes in the rights of private enterprise. But when private enterprise interferes with the rights of the community, then I «ay it is time for the State to come in and protect the people. (Applause). I am criticising Mr. Algie as a politician, not personally. He is being paid a aalary of £1500 a year to do his job with a 10-year contract by wealthy and influential people. He has been taken from the sheltered cloisters of the university to talk to you on freedom. When he first spoke he said he was non-party, but now we find him speaking for the Nationalist side. He says that if you put Labour back into power property and money will be regimented, but I aay yon have never been so free as you are to-day in this country." (Applause.)

Propaganda Denounced.. The electors could not trust a Government that reduced wages and earning power and abolished the compulsory provisions of the Arbitration Court, which had been quoted throughout the world as the finest piece of social legislation. All Labour's legislation was for the benefit of the home and not to break up homes by sending husbands hundreds jof miles away to work in camps for shocking wages.

Propaganda, which he alleged was Indulged in by the National party came in for strong condemnation by Mr. Schramm, who said that in years gone by great men like the late Mr. Seddon, Sir John Ballance and Sir Joseph Ward had had to suffer the same villainous type of propaganda. In a circular letter sent to National candidates they were advised to try and make it appear that Labour men were humbugs and traitors to their cause and the Empire. That was something Mr. Savage had never done. Mr. Savage pooled his saliry with poorer members of 'his party. He was the first Prime Minister to do that. And on his return from his trip Home for the Coronation he had over £1000 in his expenses account that wai not expended. This he did not claim, but handed it back. He was the first Prime Minister to do that, too. (Applause.)

"We say we Will continue with our progressive legislation," said Mr. Schramm. "What have the other side got to offer you T The past three years have proved you can trust us. Let your rote be SO Strong on October 15 that the members of the National party will never raise their heads during your lifetime. You are the masters—politically we are the servants. Experience is the greatest test in the world. You -have: had experience of both Governments. Which would you sooner haver" (Applause.)

After he tad answered a number of questions, * vote of thanks to Mr. Schramm for his lucid address, and confidence in him as the future member and also a vote pf confidence in the Labour party, wae carried without a dissentient voice.