LABOUR'S POLICY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19940, 29 May 1930, Page 12

LABOUR'S POLICY.

ADDRESS BY MR H. E. HOLLAND. UNEMPLOYMENT BELIEF. Addressing a large and enthusiastic audience at the Choral Hall last night, Mr H. B Holland, Parliamentary Labour Leader, reviewed the political history of the Dominion, and outlined what he he termed were the main planks of his Party in connexion with the relief of unemployment. The chair was taken by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer), and others on the platform included Messrs D. G. Sullivan and J. MeCombs, MJP.'s, F. E. Cooke, and H. McCaw.

Commenting on political history, he said he often wondered how long it would be before the majority of the people in this country, and particularly the working men, would learn from the lessons of history and the .essons of what had happened in politics. Back in the 'Bo's a wave of unemployment had swept the country, and soup kitchens were to be seen in every main centre, while the roads were tilled with men tramping about looking for work that was not to be obtained. There was another wave of unemployment passing over the country now, and soup kitchens were either established or would have to be before the winter got much further on, while in the North Island, through which he had just come, men of all ages were on the roads again looking for work. Although the Labour Party had never been in power, one of the things it had been able to do was to have the oldage pension raised to 17s 6d a week, and he hoped that the day would come when the old people would be looked after in such a manner that they could have a decent standard of living for their old age. Following the years of war-time legislation, Eeform had gone to the country with a sweeping platform, many of the . planks of which could easily have been found in that of tho Labour Party. They had promised everything, but they broke every promise they ever made. By 1922 they were so unpopular they had to depend on two Christchurch Liberals and one Independent. When 1925 came round defeat was staring them in the face. The Public Service had voted for Eeform, and had got what they deserved —a cut in wages. Labour bad fought the combined House over this, because it was realised that this was only the prelude to other wage cuts. Mr Coatea had promised the people cheap money, but he had not been in office a month before the interest rate had been raised, and a host of other promises were broken. Tho 1928 Election. Facing the 1928 election, the appeal had been made to Sir Joseph Ward, as he was a man who had a certain amount of lustre, "something." added Mr Holland, "that no one in this country wishes to dim." Then, whether Sir Joseph was misreported or whether na made the statement, the report went to the country that be was going to brina in £70,000,000 within a few weeks. The idea caught the imagination of the people quite irrespective of the fact that if such a thing had been done it would have meant an inflated currency, and would have been an economic tragedy. No one stopped to think of that aspect, however. A U that i everyone was thinking was now much of the amount be could geT tor himself. So it was that, as on a previoui oeeasion,- the people went nocKing over to Mr Coates. now they went nocking over; to the United Party. The one outstanding fact that had been shown was. however, that whatever the people "of the. Dominion wanted it was not the Reform Party. Then had come a period when the new promises were not fulfilled, ana tne Labour Partv had made an attack, bir Joseph made a statement that every man would be in employment in five weeks' time, and Labour had called a truce. At the end of that time many men had been found work, but there were still some 2000 stillout. Then Sir Joseph had fallen sick, and just as the House was on the point of rising Mr Forbes had made a statementi but the facts were that there was still unemployment. Since that time the problem has become greater. They had looked for something definite in the way of a policy speech from Mr Forbes in the statement published yesterday, but he had only dealt in generalities. Certainly he had promised a definite statement as to the financial position of the Dominion, but it would not be until the Governor-General made his speech at the opening of Parliament that they would learn what were the detailed items the Government intended to legislate on. Until then they had to wait, but when they did know they could deal with them.

Unemployment Problem. Dealing with the unemployment question Mr Holland stated that it would get worse as the country got deeper into the winter. There would probably be more want and suffering in New Zealand than at any time in the history of the country. The position was not peculiar to New Zealand, but the older countries of the world had other angles to deal with that were not to be found here. This was a country that could easily carry 10.000.000 population. When there were men wanting work and asking for the right to do so, but could not find it, the whole country suffered an economic loss.

There was only one solution of unemployment. They could palliate and save a certain amount, but the only real remedy was to provide workWhatever works were provided should be of a necessary character and therefore of an economic value to the people or the Dominion. If they were not then they should not be undertaken. At the same time if they were necessary then the men working on them should receive the standard rate of wages. It was unfair to take advantage of men merely because they were unemployed. The immigration policy of Reform had been on« of the contributing causes to the present state of affairs. People had been brought out here under a misapprehension. Labour was not opposed to immigration, nor was it opposed to a State-aided scheme, but no one should be brought to this conntrv unless there was a job for him at standard wages and the knowledge that he would not be displacing anyone in work. If Reform went into power again the workers could anticipate a cut in wages to the 9s and 12s rate. Mr Coates had not said anything about that, but if he did believe in that policy he should say so. If he did not believe in that he should also state the fact and by doing so admit that he shou'd never have brought wages down to that.

Dealing with the question of what Labour would do if returned to power,

Mr Holland said that to bring about a permanent settlement they would develop those lands that were fit and also road and bridge them. The men who carried out this work would have the first opportunity of-taking them up. Eoading and bridging would also be carried out in sections already settled, but to which there was not proper access now. They would also give a good deal of attention to the subdivision of large estates, tax the wealthy landowners and bring about the splitting up of large estates, preferably by negotiation, but if necessary bring into power the full force of the Act. In addition to encouraging intense agriculture they would also assist the farmers in.any co-operative move in shipping, ; marketing, and credit. Local bodies would also be helped'to carry out necessary works, thus absorbing the local unemployed/ More men would be placed on railway works than are employed at the present time. :

Other things, mentioned<were the helping of secondary industries natural to the country, th^;applicafcjco,ofrlree Trade to those. articles thatJcotua- not be made here, and protection for those that could. Unemployment insurance was also another scheme.' This would be contributed to by the employer, the State, and the worker. Bulk marketing of goods in' Great Britain in, con-, junction with the British Governtnent. was also advocated. An Unemployment Board would be one of the new things, and this' wonld enable them to ■ deal with seasonal workers. ' •'