LABOUR POLICY ON IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26886, 12 November 1952, Page 10

LABOUR POLICY ON IMPORTS

RESTORATION OF CONTROL

MR NASH SPEAKS AT OTAHUHU

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 11

A Labour Government would restore import control to protect commodities that could be made economically in New Zealand, said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) at a political meeting in Otahuhu last night. He received an attentive hearing from an audience of about 500. The Mayor of Otahuhu (Mr J. M. Deas) presided. Mr Nash, who, during the day, had visited Auckland factories which make tyres, fabrics, and refrigerators, said the refusal of exchange for New Zealand manufacturers to buy raw materials, together with the restrictions on bank overdrafts, was “iniquitous and cruel.” The manufacturers were beginning to see the light. Mr Nash said that in one year the Government had squandered a windfall of £100.000,000 from the high prices received for wool. He had seen in Wellington shops an imported dinner set priced at £l9B. a platinum diamond brooch worth £1250, and a diamond ring worth £450.

Many manufacturers were short of essential materials because overseas exchange had been used in this way, he said. Importers, who had been allocated exchange they did not require because they had over-bought earlier, were selling their allocations at premiums.

The Labour Party would ensure that manufacturers needing raw materials had first priority on exchange that came from the sale of produce overseas. Mr Nash said.

The importation of essential goods would come next. If there was any surplus after that, he would not care what came in.

“In 1949, when they said I was the hungriest taxgatherer this country had ever known, taxes representing £72 a head were collected; last year they collected £lO2 a head,” said Mr Nash. “If I was hungry and rapacious, what is Sidney George Holland?”

An examination of recent legislation showed that 99 per cent, of the alleged tax reductions benefited the wealthy people, Mr Nash said. Labour Party’s Aims The old definition of socialising the means of production, distribution, and exchange had been dropped from the Labour Party’s platform at the 1950 conference, Mr Nash said. He himself was a Socialist.

He said the party now defined its purpose as being “to educate the public in the principles of co-operation and socialism so that the resources of the country may be properly used and distributed fairly among those who rendered service.”

Socialism, he said, did not mean taking over land, buildings, or factories.

at with full employment, Mr Nash said it would be entirely wrong to suggest that Labour believed there were enough people in this country. On his recent trip abroad he learned that more than 3000 approved Britons wens waiting to come to New Zealand. Though Labour did not have any national prejudices, it would give preference to British stock. Mr Nash said. The party would not let anybody come m if there was going to be unemployment here.

Mr Nash replied to questions for hall aj n hour. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation.