POLICY OF VISION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 227, 24 September 1943, Page 7

POLICY OF VISION

NATIONALIST CLAIMS

ELECTORS WANT CHANGE

"No one will say that the Labour party has not done some good work, but we say the good they have done is overshadowed by the bad legislation they have placed on the Statute Book," said Mr. J. Park, National candidate for Onehunga, amidst applause, when addressing a crowded audience in the Orphans' Hall, Onehunga. He felt convinced that every elector, after having heard the Leader of the National party, Mr. Holland, over the air and on the platform, would agree that the party's policy was one of vision and force, with measures that would again restore New Zealand's name to that of "God's own country."

Mr. Pai'k said he "would not discuss his opponents personally, but he would criticise the policies of the parties they represented and would show how the National party would right the wrongs the country was suffering under when it was returned to office on Saturday. Mr. Holland had proved himself worthy of support, and there were strong indications that the electors wanted a change of Government.

"The National party is gaining ground daily," he said, "and the Labour party is on a lee shore and will soon be aground. Only a remnant of the crew will be saved." Manpower Commitments

Dealing with the manpower problem, Mr. Park said the country was dangerously over - committed and could not long carry on under present conditions. There would be a rude awakening if a complete survey of both manpower and woman power was not quickly made. He was strongly of opinion that before any man was asked to go a second time to the fighting front every eligible man should first have his turn, unless those returning volunteered to go back. He knew there were difficulties, but it seemed logical to say that if men could be trained for skilled work in the short period claimed by Government members, then surely those who were on furlough could be just as quickly trained during their holiday to take the places of men in industry who had been exempted because of essential work. In dealing with rehabilitation, Mr. Park said servicemen must have adequate representation on all advisory councils in carrying out Government plans. Local committees of returned men should be set up to deal with the problems on the spot. As far as vocational training was concerned, it was the duty of the State to keep the men on service pay, or better, while they were receiving instruction and for a further period if work was not found immediately. Naturally they must be given a choice of trade and not be herded into some industry they disliked.

"Housing Is one of the most important questions of the day, and whoever is in power must face the facts," he continued Labour's progress had been inordinately slow, and nothing had been accomplished to compare with what private enterprise had done in the past. If the National party were returned it would certainly not object to tenants renting their houses, but, in addition, it would give them the opportunity to purchase on a freehold basis. Ninety per cent of the cost would be advanced to civilians, and the full amount to servicemen. Sufficient men would be trained for house building, which would be pushed ahead with greater vigour than ever before. Small contractors would not be "cut. out," and returned men would have opportunities to compete also. Broadcasting should be freed from political control, declared Mr. Park. The Press should have the right to publish news that was not dangerous to security without having to submit it to the censor who, as a rule, knew little about newspaper work. The newspapers were fair, and he knew of no case where the bounds of propriety had been overstepped. The Government feared criticism and that was the reason for its rigid censorship rules. It was necessary to change the Government to obtain a period of freedom of thought, speech and action according to British justice.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried enthusiastically. Mr. C. N. Grainger presided.