NEED FOR MORE PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25810, 23 May 1949, Page 6

NEED FOR MORE PRODUCTION

—4 — EFFECT ON LIVING STANDARDS * ADDRESS BY MR JAMES ROBERTS (New Zealand Press Associefle*.) WELLINGTON, May 21 Much misunderstanding existed about wages, production, taxation and social ser\flces, but improved nvjjj standards and social services could come only out of the value' tOpy people’s production, said Mr Jam# Roberts, in his presidential address to the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party, which OJrtnw in Wellington on Saturday. Mr Roberts said that higher rates of production would enable tht Gsv* ernment to improve living standar® and services, but a lower rate WMOR retard progress. This matter was S 3 important to the future welfare of w* party that he considered it should fins a place for discussion and mature sideration by its members. It weft in his opinion, essential that members should»fully recognise the fact iw the labour applied to natural resources and productive agencies wm the source of all wealth, and that the well-being of a nation was dependent on efficient production, wise administration and an equitable distribution of national income. JBl Mr Roberts appealed for Labour unity in election year, and derided statements by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) on his recent return from Australia. He spoke of Mr Holland’s understanding with Mr R. G. Menzies as a "Trans-Tasman Toryinform.” New Zealand was practically unknown in international affairs IfIHU the Labour Government was elected Mr Roberts said. Now, as the resuli of . the work done by the Government's representatives overseas, IgW Zealand had a name and reputatidh of which she was proud. That nip reputation had been obtained by tj® ability and candour of the men wg had represented the country and tM Labour policies they had propound!*