PARLIAMENT Mr Keating Moves Address In Reply

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 14

PARLIAMENT Mr Keating Moves Address In Reply

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 23.

Television could not be left to the “tender mercies of the vulgar and more pernicious aspects of commercial exploitation to enable a few people to make fabulous profits,’* Mr E. J. Keating (Government, Hastings) told the House of Representatives tonight, when moving the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.

Both Mr Keating and the seconder, Mr N. J. King (Government, Waitemata) wore the traditional full evening dress.

Mr Keating said that Labour policy did not aim at controlling every aspect of New Zealand’s economy, as its critics suggested.

“It does assert, and will continue to assert, that the State has not merely a right but a duty to command the heights of the economy so that economic and financial power cannot be concentrated in a few irresponsible, and often anonymous, private hands,” he said.

“That power should rather be exercised by responsible public autliorities constantly under scrutiny by Parliament and public, and working solely for the common good.”

Mr Keating said this was why the Government believed the State should control television. “Just how low television can sink in commercial hands has been demonstrated recently in the United States, where the Government is now holding a public inquiry into television scandals,” he said. "In Australia some of the commercial programmes are an insult to the intelligence, and there a large number of the commercial stations happen to be controlled by newspaper combines. ' “In that country they have reached the unhealthy situation where two chains of newspapers control almost the whole ot the press, numerous radio stations,

and now, under the Menzies Government, an increasing number of television stations as well,” Mr Keating said. “It is disgraceful that in one of the younger democracies so much power in the communication field should be concentrated in so few hands. I trust we will never allow that to happen in New Zealand. Under a Labour Government our people can be assured it never will.” he added. Basic Policy Mr Keating said that Labour's basic policy principles were clear and consistent These were: Property essential to the personal independence and private well-being of a man and his family should, if he wished, be owned and controlled by the man himself—his home and personal effects, his farm and business. Property affecting the whole community—fuel and power, water and drainage and mass transportation—should be owned co-operatively, corporatively, or municipally. Property affecting the whole economy should be owned and controlled, directly or indirectly, by the State. Mr Keating said the first Labour Government laid the foundations of economic stability and social security. “It is the second Labour Government which will give New Zealand that larger vision necessary to meet the challenge of the future.” be said. Taxation Mr Keating said that present income tax rates were the lowest since World War IL “Responsible members of Parliament should face economic realities and stop making phoney promises about tax reductions that cannot be carried out,” he said.

Mr Keating suggested the establishment of an authority to make a complete survey of New Zealand's physical resources. A similar survey was made in the United States in 1952, and was now the basis of all economic and industrial planning. Canada did the same thing in 1953 In seconding the motion, Mr King joined with Mr Keating in congratulating Sir Eruera Tirikatene. Associate Minister of Maori Affairs and Minister of Forests, on the knighthood re* cently bestowed upon him. “It is an honour he well deserves for the work he has done for New Zealand over so many years, and it is an honour which will be particularly appreciated by the Maori section of the community.'’ said Mr King. Commenting on the Prime Min-

ister’s overseas visits, Mr King said that Mr Nash had further enhanced the prestige of New Zealand both at home and abroad.

“New Zealand is a small country compared with other nations, but I believe we can play a major part seeking world peace and improving living standards. Our work in the United Nations and the assistance we have given to underdeveloped nations are examples of the work we have done in that field,” said Mr King. History had shown that people resented being bought or coerced, and he felt that assistance should be given freely and without tag& Only then could they ensure a lasting friendship and mutual understanding. New Zealand’s trusteeship of Western Samoa, said Mr King, was an example which could be well followed by other nations. Overseas Reserves From its early days New Zealand had been a primary producing country and had become dependent to a large degree on the high prices realised overseas to maintain the standard of living and economic stability. It was generally recognised that if fanners' incomes fell, other sections of the community were also in danger, and a reasonable reserve fund overseas was necessary to safeguard their future. Mr King said there was a new spirit in New Zealand industry. Manufacturers knew they could igo ahead with capital expenditure without being subject to a flood of imports. The House adjourned at 8.45 p.m. tiH 9.30 a.m. tomorrow, when there will be an Imprest Supply debate.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) will open the Address-in-Reply debate on Tuesday night