THE ELECTORS THANKED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22534, 17 October 1938, Page 10

THE ELECTORS THANKED

Prime Minister’s Broadcast

ASSURANCE TO COUNTRY

“Only Objective a Fair Deal for Everybody” (FBISS ASSOCIATION TILKOBAIt.) WELLINGTON, October 16. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), in a broadcast address on Saturday night thanking the electors for their expression of confidence in the Government and the Labour Party said: “You have given us another splendid victory. Indeed, the result of the General Election to-day is an even greater triumph than the one we secured three years ago. It _is - greater because the people on this occasion had the knowledge of the benefits of Labour’s policy in practice. They have recorded their appreciation in no uncertain way. “I desire also to thank the Maori electors for their emphatic confidence m the Government. They gave the Goveminent three out of four seats, ana the fourth, although retained by the Nationalists, represented a moral victory. If there* had,, been no independent Labour candidate, the seat also would have been won for the Government, Need I say that the Maori people will have no cause to regret placing their trust in the Labour Government’s hands. Wq are pledged to place the Maori on the' same level as the pakeha in respect of health, education, and economic and social justice. I cordially welcome our parliamentary Maori friends and loyal supporters. “As Prime Minister, I assure the country that there :is no cause for anxiety about the future. We realise our responsibilities, and will carry them out on principles of construction, not destruction. We mean to build, and I think you will all agree that in our first term of office we laid a solid foundation for a new social structure in this country. That is our only objective—to give everybody a fair deal, to make conditions more equitable, to make life generally mhch brighter, more purposeful, and more serene. ‘‘This is one of the proudest moments of my life; but there is something deep«r than pride in my emotions. There is gratitude. There is also the desire to prove worthy of your confidence in me as Leader of the Labour Government. I will do my best, -all my days, to promote the welfare of the nation.

“No joy in life is perfect, and this is particularly true of our triumph at the polls. Here and there loyal comrades have fallen in the electoral fight. I feel sure they will rise again and come back to parliamentary life. They did well throughout the Government’s first term of office, and deserved reelection as a reward for their earnest, energetic service. They have my gratitude, as well as my sympathy.

“It is not for me to lick the wounds of our opponents; but I can at .least refrain from rubbing salt into them. They also fought strenuously, in the honest belief in their cause.

“I welcome the return of my colleagues in the Ministry and in the rank and file of the parliamentary Labour Party. They have been a loyal team, and worked hard : with eagerness and efficiency. To new Labour members I offer the right hand of fellowship They are assured of ready friendship in the House of Representatives. “I have no ill-will against the Opposition. Its members played their part in the election campaign, although some of their ways were not mine. I hope I have their goodwill in Parliament. and by that • I mean political goodwill, which can be expressed in tolerance, even if co-operation be withheld. Life at its longest is too short for bitter enmity. I think I have friends among my political enemies They can be certain of my desire to retain their personal friendship. “To all electors who voted for Labour I extend my sincerest thanks. My gratitude cannot be expressed in words. I also thank all our committees for their splendid work, and let me include in my tribute not only the living, but also the splendid comrades who passed away before the final triumph of the Labour cause. We have built upon the foundations they laid in difficult days, and their efforts are not forgotten. One name will be particularly remembered among these, that of the late Mr H. E. Holland. Auckland West “It Is hardly necessary for me to remind my own loyal people in Auckland West that my heart is filled with appreciation of their great kindness They know me well, and will understand my feelings towards them. They gave me liberty to go and meet the people in many parts of the Dominion, and were themselves content with meeting me on one occasion only —a memorable occasion, when my friends and Ipyal supporters gave me inspiration to do my work as Prime Minister during the campaign, and now they have given me an increased majority. I thank Auckland West electors for their renewed confidence in me as their representative iri Parliament. They know all that is in my heart. To all the electors I would like to say this. , “I also wish to thank the electors of Buffer for releasing the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister for Mines, to assist me in this campaign. As a party we represent Labour; but as a Government we represent the people as a whole, irrespective of their opinions. This is a solemn trust, which we have not failed to observe in the past, and one which we will not fail to observe in the future. The people have made their wishes known, and it is our duty to give effect to them. And I would make a plea to-night for the confidence and wholehearted co-operation of all sections of the community. - Let us all work together to make our country the finest country on earth. Let us. above all, work to abolish poverty and want from our midst. New Zealand’s heritage will not suffer. I assure you. under Labour’s care. With the help of Providence, and by our own endeavours, we will pass on to a new generation and I hope to a new age—a richer and nobler commonwealth.”