NEED TO HELP BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25380, 31 December 1947, Page 4

NEED TO HELP BRITAIN

MR FRASER PRAISES ACHIEVEMENTS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 30. The need to increase production to help Britain and to safeguard New Zealand’s economic structure was emphasised by the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) in a New Year message todS“The last year has been one of disappointment in world affairs, and the hopes that buoyed up the spirit of the free peoples through long years of struggle are still largely unrealised, he said. “After years of unstinted war effort, it was reasonable to hope that goodwill among the Allies would have been expressed quickly in a complete and firm structure of peace, and that the road to world prosperity would have been reopened. It is now very clear that these are not the inevitable fruits of victory. It takes longer than two and a half years to create order out of political and economic confusion brought about by the six years of World War 11. “Here in New Zealand, however, the last year has given us a great deal for which to be thankful. Compared with the poverty, hunger, and deprivation in the countries of Europe and Asia, our difficulties and problems seem small. This is the time to recognise how fortunate we are in this.land of freedom and plenty, and to acknowledge that we owe a lasting debt to Britain.

“Opportunity arose during the year for us to do something tangible to help the people of Britain through their present difficulties, occasioned by their defence of human freedom. The united response of our people in the Aid for Britain campaign has been a source of inspiration. I am confident that the productive effort in all avenues necessary to our economy, the blessing of one of the most bounteous of seasons, and our cheerful sharing in some small measure of her austerity will result in our making a most helpful contribution to Britain’s economic recovery. Not only must we increase production to help Britain; we have a responsibility to ourselves as well. To ourselves because high productivity will safeguard the structure of economic security for everyone which has been built by the Government during the last 12 years. Abolition of Poverty “The abolition of poverty and unemployment ever-present in New Zealand in the past has been proved to be possible. These great benefits and the maintenance of a high standard of living for everyone can only depend on the wealth of goods and services produced by the people, and shared equitably. A method of achieving a reasonable standard of living for everyone has been established by the Government. It is a continuing responsibility of everyone to ensure its substance by keeping production high. “Stabilisation, also, is vital to our continued economic welfare. Because of the measures taken, and of the cooperation of various sections of the community, New Zealand has had good fortune throughout the war, and up to the present. To achieve greater success than most, if not all, other nations in holding cost of living and other prices in check, pressures on our price structure arising outside New Zealand are to-day increasing and creating difficulties in every phase of the administration of stabilisation. Thoroughgoing measures will be necessary to protect the purchasing power and savings of the people, and in spite of the difficulties and complication which this may involve, the stabilisation line will be maintained. The Government does not subscribe to the view that the cost of living* can be kept down, and the best interests of the people safeguarded by a relaxation of stabilisation controls, and by trusting to unrestrained higgling and chaos of the market. “Forces at Work” “Unfortunately, forces are at work throughout the world to destroy democracy, and to recreate totalitarianism under various names. Dictatorship, whether of individuals, groups, or sections, cannot be countenanced and must be opposed. In New Zealand we have had indications of individuals and small groups, vociferous out of all proportion to their importance, who have threatened the continuity and welfare of the economic and social life ’of our' country. This menace, if it continues, must be faced conclusively in the coming year, and the Government may be compelled to ask for the full support of the people to enforce observation of the principles of democracy in our industrial and economic life. I feel certain that the people of New Zealand will respond to any request to combat any subversive and destructive influences inside our country as wholeheartedly as they helped to fight the menace of Nazism and Fascism from Germany and Italy. “In spite of all the difficulties which 1948 may contain, it is a year of promise, and I welcome it for the opportunities it will bring for increasing the progress and prosperity of New Zealand. The future is assured if we adhere to the principles of democratic freedom, and if we each accept our individual responsibility to defend them, and to contribute by our efforts to the wealth and welfare of the community. To everyone I extend my best wishes -for a happy and prosperous New Year.”