PARLIAMENT ADDRESS IN REPLY MOVED

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26538, 28 September 1951, Page 8

PARLIAMENT ADDRESS IN REPLY MOVED

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 27.

There was nothing ambiguous about the reply the electors gave in the recent election, said Mr J. Rae (Roskilli, moving the Address in Reply in the House of Representatives to-night. Had it been thought that the emergency powers taken during the waterfront strike were undemocratic, then the people had a right to decide, he said. There was nothing undemocratic about that.

Opening his speech, Mr Rae said that the House had been greatly disturbed at reports on the King’s health. The Royal Family was so close to the people that the illness could be regarded as an illness in one’s own family. Never in British history, he said, had a Royal Family stood on such a high pinnacle. “We are delighted to get reports that His Majesty is progressing favourably,” said Mr Rae. "We looked forward with keen anticipation to the proposed visit of the King and Queen and Princess Margaret. If it takes place it will be the first time that a ruling monarch has visited New Zealand. These desires to meet Their Majesties, however, are now submerged in our concern for the King.” Mr Rae said he was proud to be associated with a Government which, when great and grave issues were at stake, was prepared to go to the people. t |« “Since I reached political consciousness three Governments of this country have extended their life, but never has one reduced its life,” he added. “Others have not shown any readiness to go to the people. The people of this country were surprised when the Government decided to hold an election. They were not used to being treated like that"

Mr Rae said it was significant that the five new Government members all represented seaports. No doubt the electors there weighed the issues carefully. Wilfully or not, the Opposition had helped to prolong the strike, and Labour's attitude was such during the strike that when its speakers went on the hustings promising to deal with trouble-makers they were not believed. The electors had also approved the Government’s fight against inflation. It had made the £ go further than in any other English-speaking country, and the firm handling of costly delays bv the watersiders was a big step toward curbing living costs. Mr Rae added that the election had brought into the onen the forces of disorder. There had been disgraceful scenes, particularly at meetings addressed by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and the Minister of Labour (Mr Sullivan). At Mr Holland’s meeting in Auckland hundreds of people who would vehemently claim freedom of speech for themselves were to be seen screaming and misbehaving in a most unseemly fashion. Such actions cost the Labour Party thousands of votes.

Communism in N.Z. In Korea the enemy was apparent, but in democratic countries the forces of evil were more subtle. Far more militant people were seen in New Zealand during the election than were necessary to seize power in democracies such as Czechoslovakia which were now beind the Iron Curtain. People should not be misled by the small number of Communist candidates, for Communists stood only where they would not threaten Labour. The Government’s earnest desire was not to make those at the top excessively prosperous, but to create such conditions that those at the bottom would in a free economy enjoy such good conditions that they would contribute to the prosperity of the whole community.

Speeches By Mr J. Rae And Mr S. I. Jones

“This is the best Government the working man of this country has ever had,” said Mr Rae.

Mr F. Hackett (Opposition, Grey Lynn): The best Government that money can buy.

These and other figures showed clearlv that land settlement had not slowed down since the Government took office.

A handicap to land subdivision and settlement to-day was that only 31 surveyors were available, the "smallest number since 1876. The minimum reauired was 80.

Tlie House rose at 920 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Discussing the Government’s promises of taxation and social security benefit amendments, Mr Rae said that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) deserved credit for drawing attention during the election campaign to the hardships facing the survivor when husband or wife died. He would like to see provision for payment of emergency benefits in such cases. Mr Rae said that New Zealand’s present prosperity was unparalleled, but it was at such times that greater managerial and productive efficiency should be promoted. Local manufacturers needed protecting, but the interests of the consumer should be watched too. It was time industry had a stock-taking. New Zealand’s old competitors overseas were restarting production with new machinery. With better production technique and new machinery, New Zealand production costs could be cut down, competition met, and manufacturers able to give better service to consumers. Seconder Speaks Seconding the motion, Mr S. I. Jones (Hastings) also expressed his concern at the King’s health. He said that should other members of the Royal Family substitute for the King and Queen on the proposed tour they would be assured of the same welcome. Mr Jones said that the result of the election had been a signal victory for the Government, but the Government will not resort to any steam-roller tactics. He said that all major recommendations made by the War Pensions Commission in its report brought down shortly before Parliament was dissolved had been accepted by the Government. Increases had been made retrospective to February 15 and a special fund of £lOO.OOO had been set un to meet any particular cases of special war pensions that did not come within the scope of the regulations This fund would be administered by the War Pensions Board.

Mr Jones, reviewing the rehabilitation of former servicemen on the land, soid that from November 30 last, the date when the Servicemen’s Settlement Act became operative, until June 30. 1951. 561 men were settled on the land with rehabilitation assistance—a ereater number than in the comparable period in any of the three previous years. Moreover, 85 units had been acquired in eight months under the provisions of the new act for former servicemen’s settlement, comnared with 80 acquired in two and a half years under the previous Government’s legislation.

There were still 3329 applicants for rehabilitation on farms, which meant that the total number to be settled would be about 12.000, compared with Labour’s original estimate of 6000. Mr Jones concluded by saying that the pace of land settlement had in no way slackened under the Government. Both speakers, who wore full evening dress, were applauded after speaking. Each was given an extension of time.