NATIONAL PARTY REPORT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25537, 3 July 1948, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY REPORT

PRESENT SHORTAGES CRITICISED “CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT ESSENTIAL” “The period between now and the next general election in 1949 is vital, not only lor tne National Party, but for New Zealand. We believe that a cnange of government is essential if our country is to bring out the best qualities oi its citizens in the interests of all. To bring about that change will be the mainspring of all our efforts,” says the report of the Dominion council for the National Party conference, which will begin in Duneuin on Monday. “Once the National Party nas received its mandate to govern—as we beiieve it will at the next electioncapable administration by able and experienced men. coupled with sincere and disinterested leadership, will revitalise the economy of New Zealand and bring about that recovery lor which so many thousands of people are earnestly hoping.” the council says. “On every side there is evidence of the failure of the socialistic theories which were to have ushered in an era of prosperity and abundance, instead there . e continued shortages, underproduction. steadily increasing living costs, and a lack of many services and conveniences which prior to the regime of Labour were taken as a maAer of course.”

The report says the community is not providing for its own needs —the housing shortage persists, industrial and public buildings are held up. reconstruction of roads and bridges is critically needed, power cuts have become routine, train services are still curtailed, eggs are rare, children’s clothing and babies’ requirements are high in price, scarce »nd often of indifferent uality Spirit of Frustration “The spirit of frustration and exasperation which permeates the entire community is reflected not only in pressure for higher wage to .meet increasing living costs, but also in strikes, go-slow tactics, and other types of industrial action, which defeat their own purpose by adding to the strain on production, and so further increasing costs. Wh|t is needed on the part of all members of the community is a new spirit of teamwork and co-operation, base' 1 on the undeniable fact that only on <such foundations can true national prosperity be realised.” the report says “It is our since belief that in the philosophy of free enterprise, for which the party stands, lies the only hope for a national revival “In the meantime, it is noticeable that the Labour Party sensing the mood of the country, is vigorously trying to shake off its Communistic hangers-on. who in the past have found many kindred spirits among its ranks. The" candid admission of Mr F. P. Walsh that last year the national executive of the Federation of Labour, with al] the immense power and influence it now wields, was captured by Communists and ‘fellowtravellers. must have startled many members of the community who were .not previously, aware of the opportunities for mischief which the Covernment had conferred upon its left wing. The National Party, which has never had anything in common with Communism, welcomes oppositio’ to them from any quarter; but views with scepticism a belated repudiation of them by a party which is moving towards the same self-confessed objective.”