ON TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 229, 28 September 1938, Page 14

ON TRIAL.

THREE YEARS' WORK.

DEFENCE OF LABOUR.

ANDERTON speaks,

The claim that the Government's history showed that it was the finest Government that New Zealand had ever had was made by Mr. W. T. Anderton, Labour candidate for Fden, when he gave his opening address at the Centenary Hall, nominion Hoad. lust evening Hie building waa crowds. The Hon. B. Martin presided.

Mr. Anderton sai<l it was the first opportunity the Dominion had had of expressing an opinion of the Labour Government after three years of office. It was for a democracy to say how it would he governed, and the* Labour party had decided to come to the people after three years of office. He came to the electors of Eden with the greatest confidence. The Government had accomplished more in its term of office than any other Government had done, lie fore the Labour Government took office there was general poverty and destitution, but they had re-distributed the wealth of the country, and the conditions could not be compared with the position three years ago.

Mr. Anderton claimed that the National jmrty was not a new party, because for three years he had been sitting alongside the remnant of them in Parliament. The National party had not changed its face one iota, nnd a number of the former leaders of the National party sat on the front benches in Parliament. Twelve months ago Mr. Poison moved that the name should be changed, lest the people of New Zealand thought it was "the old gang." It was the same party, with the same policy, the same philosophy, and it had not changed its social conceptions. There was no possible chance of any ejiange, as they were too "dyed in the wool" to all conceptions of economy. They were so tied to it that they couid not remove their shackles.

Wealth of the Nation. The candidate said that during the last three years there had been more consumption of goods produced, because the Government contended that the wealth of the nation could only be measured by its consumption. In 10.30 the total production wos £120,000 000 and in 1032 £H3.«00,000. In 103.> the amount was £07,000.000, but there was then 70,000 unemployed, and 120.000 people absolutely on the poverty line. J. ® Labour policy was based on the redistribution of the wealth of the coun- " ' 9 ; 37 production had risen to r' '10°>000. The difference was that the Labour Government served all the people all the time, and the National Government had served some of the people all the time. But if thqfNational party got into power there would be a change of policy. waß admitted, the speaker said, that overseas prices had had something to do with increased prosperity, but increased production was a big factor. The Labour jarty had reversed the previous policy, and now asked for renewed confidence. He would not be surprised if the Labour party was not considerably increased as the result of the poll on Octobcr 15. He had never seen such a wave of enthusiasm. It " ,y en thusiasm, but a knowieclgeable one.

Mr. Anderton claimed that the farTion* e " th :^ ia * tic over their Po«ihad v ««ted Taranaki and met many farmers. He had not met a farfled' JStS'S Zea,and who diseatiswm.iT » guaranteed price, or who would vote against it. (Applause.) Mr* Anderton , commented on th« Labour amount of wages paid since Labour came into power, the larger amount paid In pensions, and the munki nefl . te extended to the com- ' greater opportunities had been given to boys and girls, but there was a shortage of artisans to-day, because the former Government had failed to encourage apprentices. If the Labour party were returned there would be contlnuance of prosperity in the same I?' * h ® next three years. As «p; would the conntry solidify Itaelf to be one of the finest in the world; and neither ;Measl-s. Forbes nor Hamilton, nof anyone else, would upset the structure they would build. (Applause.)

I Increase of Profit*. Mr. Anderton said that Labour was accused of interfering with private business. There were 50 companies increased their profits by £1,500,000 as from 1935, and a million had gone to reserves. The individual business man was not grumbling, as he had received a fair deal and a greater measure of success. There was no right to squeal, or to attempt to tyrannise over people in employment. If there was tyranny it might rebound on their heads. If the National party got back it would rebound on their bank balances in 12 months, and on their profits in six months. The savings banks' returns showed the great increase of savings since the Labour party came into power, and the confidence and faith that people had. The Labour party's policy was progressive. They wanted the people to be properly housed, and they wanted to maintain and' improve the living standards of the country. .With social security people would be securcd from the cradle to the grave, and they would be provided for by the accumulated wealth of the country." At present people had to pay 16/ a day to go into the Auckland Hospital, but under the new legislation there would be a free medical service.

After criticism of the National party's *I°* TBniTne ' r " -Anderton appealed for support which he contended the should receive. It had had obstacles to overcome, but had overcome them. Wlint they had achieved "lncf. the last election had given him confidence to ask them not to vote for Anderton or Ravage, hut to vote for themselves. (Applause.) With the Labour t^ rC wou,d Prosperity and security, but the opposite if their power - TbPv were the 7 had n °t Ranged. Their menta ity was not one whit brighter than it was three years ago. If the Nationalists were opposed to the social P \ n ' and hone »t about it. why g °"<■«•

A Voice: Suicide. Mr. Anderton: Of course. After answering questions, Mr. Anderton- received a vote of thank* and confidence, coupled with confidence in the Government.