NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22906, 30 December 1939, Page 8

NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Reference to Dominion’s Part in War MR SAVAGE’S CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE “Refuse to be Stampeded into Fear” f “Let us all resolve with sincerity of purpose to work together in goodwill to maintain the benefits of freedom and a progressive social and industrial life. That briefly is my message to the people of New Zealand at the close of an eventful year,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in a New Year message.

“If more should be added in the same spirit,” said Mr Savage, “I would urge them to refuse firmly to be stampeded into fear about the coming New Year. It is true that turbulence rocks the world, but neither the actual conditions nor the outlook is nearly so bad as the pessimists and faint-hearts make them out to be. “Ruthless tyrannny cannot prevail against the defenders of liberty, fairness, and peaceful progress. There are difficulties to be overcome, and great tasks to be done. We shall win through if true co-operation be the driving force in the national effort. “An end should be. made to political bickering and that kind of criticism which discourages people from giving of their best in the interests of their own country and the Commonwealth of British Nations. “We are on the threshold of a New Year. This is the time for good resolutions. May I urge again that all sections of the community resolve to co-operate in harmony, and work and fight as a united nation to retain democratic freedom and those social conditions which to-day make New Zealand one of the best countries in a world of turmoil. “It would be wrong for me or anyone else to ignore the difficulties. At the same time, however, it would be equally erroneous and more foolish to magnify them. Difficulties do exist, but none of them is insurmountable. After all, they are in the main the results of an unparalleled period of tial prosperity. Hard times for the , people as a whole are unknown and hard times need not come at all if less attention be given to party politics and more constructive thought be applied by all the people to the national effort. “Too Much Outcry" “There has been far too much political outcry about temporary difficulties and sectional economic hardship. A counting of blessings would yield a sum more impressive than a tally of woes. The majority are able, for the fourth time in succession, to enjoy a merry Christmas. “Where is this evidence of good times? The answer is to be plainly seen in the great number of Yuletido gifts, the crowded shops, the throngs of holiday-makers _ all over the Dominion. and the wide range of social comforts. Perhaps it will be_ said by critics that I am merely taking a politically optimistic view of the present conditions throughout New Zealand. Let them show convincing evidence of a marked lack of general prosperity. “The last of the first 100 years of New Zealand’s history of European .settlement and development does not close in economic disaster. The centennial New Year in this country will not open with a note of despair. If a dispassionate view of everything be taken it will be found that the ebrg of, the country is sound and can only be weakened by foolish talk about passing sproblems. The New Zealand century has been marked by wars, including two conflicts on a destructive scale in Europe. This recurring turbulence has hindered the development of New Zealand's resources and. unfortunately, will continue tn hinder progress until aggressive Nazism has been scotched. “Strength of Nationhood” “As against the economic effects of war New, Zealand has gained the strength and responsibilities of nationhood. Is it wise to dissipate any of that strength in political conflict simply because the policy of the dominant party differs materially from that of the other. Some people have said that the difference represents a clash between idealism and practical systems, most of them as old as time, and none the better for their age. Well, I am on the side of the ideals which make for a better standard of living for the people, and nothing will convince me that I am in error, or wandering in a mist of progressive ideas. What trie world needs to-day* is the elimination of selfishness, greed, and hatred. “It is long past time for a deeper comprehension of the rights of roen and women, a greater knowledge of international conditions and a wider symsphere of practical politics then there can be little hope of enduring peace and opportunity for real progress on the lines of true humanity. The whole world is out of joint. No smart cynic need retort that I, in the Shakespearean phrase, have been ciirsed with the task of setting it right. That is the plain duty of every man and woman. They will fail in their duty if they persist in quarrelling over methods of putting crooked things straight. “It is to be regretted that the joy of celebrating New Zealand’s centennial will be diminished by the anxieties and rigours of war, yet there is no reason for gloom. Let us rejoice that in the first century of our history there; has been so much that is good to commemorate, and all that has been done and done so well, can. be improved upon in the years to come. ■ “Meanwhile it is a-common duty to do our best to merit an answer to the people’s fervent prayer ‘Give us peace in our time, O Lord.’ I have faith in the future of New Zealand and will continue to do everything possible to promote the welfare of the people. “I wish everybody a happy New Voar ” ' M. J- SAVAGE..

PROBLEMS OF 1940 The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton: “The year now closing has been a red-letter day in New Zealand’s history, both nationally and internationally, and 1940 promises to present us with equally difficult, if not even more testing, problems,” says the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) in a New Year message to the people of the Dominion. Therefore, as we pause on the threshold of the New Year, it is well to take stock of our position and prepare with great resolution, high purpose, undimmed hope, and enduring courage to face the realities. “The facing of those realities cannot be shirked, no matter how much we all agree, and agree we must, that hope for the future of this country and faith in it are the only lines along which , our people can approach them effectively. “Here I would emphasise my Christmas message—this is a day which challenges both the inborn optimism and courage of our people. I believe that our people are made of stuff that will confront and overcome our difficulties—national and international — first, our war effort in support of Great •Britain, our Homeland, must be complete and unhesitating. The first task of the New Year must be directed to securing 100 per cent, unity and efficiency in New Zealand for that effort. “This is a moment for clear thinking and straight and plain speaking. I want it made clear at the beginning of the year that not only has the Government completely to revise both its approach and its policy in securing anything like general confidence in its ability to run a country at war. but it has also to undertake never .again to transgress by endeavouring to implement the policy of State Socialism in New Zealand under the cloak of war emergency^ “As was made clear by the statement by the last caucus of the Opposition before Christmas, the strong and clear lead necessarily expected from the Government has not been forthcoming, and instead there has existed and grown up under official _ connivance, stimulation, and provocation a feeling of petty dissension and disharmony. “Complete Revision” "This must cease, but it canncrt cease unless there is a complete revision of the policy at present being followed. It reveals pettiness and an inability to realise the gravity of the situation the Empire faces. To my mind it is unfortunate comment on our position that the Government of the_ day, loud in its abuse of the Opposition, and even of individual sections of the community. with its leaders and spokesmen talking wildly of disloyalty, sedi..tion. and sabotage among purely political. opponents, produces only hotbeds of dissension in the war effort. “From within its , own ranks recent developments have not been of a type to encourage public confidence, and it is not surprising that people all over New Zealand have become impatient at the Government’s peculiar approach to the situation. Urgent Sitting of Parliament “I have asked for an urgent sitting of Parliament, since I think this is clearly demanded by all recent events and the problems ahead if Parliament truly plays its democratic part as so-called ‘workshop of the people.’ “Apart from the war itself, our internal difficulties deserve extremely urgent consideration. It would take a volume to enumerate them all. but here are a few —the crying need for some organisation of universal military service, and the placing of the recruiting scheme on a proper basis; import restrictions leading to shortages of essential goods and raw materials and to unemployment; the commandeer of radio for party ends in a manner unexcelled by any dic-tator-country in the world, and a public scandal and abuse of trust and privilege unknown in a British country; public and relief works of an unproductive character still going full blast, and actually being extended to further luxury items in the first few months of war; falling primary production followed by the farm labour crisis, and with fanners unable to offer wages competitive with those being offered by the State for unproductive work; the cost of living which outstrips alarmingly all fixed incomes and salaries to the point of an oppressive reduction of the standard of living of average men and women and their families; the financial crisis, bringing disrepute to our good name, and further threatened by experiments by the State which must further undermine our ability to stand a severe test. “Those are but a few that are concerned vitally with the happiness and well-being of the everyday lives of our people at this time. “Trade tn Platitudes” “The year 1940 cannot be worthy of our centenary unless those problems are confronted by men who do not trade in platitudes or hide behind smoke screens of abuse. I can add this most earnestly. The National Party has those men, and the inspiration of the great body of New Zealanders behind them, from every walk of life and section of the community.

“I would suggest that in the underlying spirit of the National Party—unity, harmony, tolerance, and solidity—backed up by hearts, minds, and wills of courageous New Zealanders lies the hope for reconstruction of the Dominion. At the moment it remains an ever vigilant and ever prepared Opposition. Propaganda ihay say that it represents exploiters, vested interests, profiteers, usurers, misers, traitors, and others equally vilified. It would be a warped mind indeed that was deceived by that. The National Party is a living and growing organism in our midst, representing the average New Zealander. ‘•Detractors are realising to-day the strength and determination of the really wonderful New Zealanders I a in. proud to lead, and it is a host, to ttie colours of which I am thrilled to say many are flocking. "For this New Year I would say take politics more seriously than ever before. It is the most important business in the community. If affects your, business, be yours the humblest or the greatest position in the land. It deserves earnest study and attention and requires courage and high purpose. Nail your colours to the mast and fight to the end against any odds. New Zealand needs men and women to-day prepared to put a great effort into faying the foundation for a really united war effort and for internal reconstruction.”