N.Z. LIVING STANDARD

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29363, 16 November 1960, Page 18

N.Z. LIVING STANDARD

Need To Increase Production

Increased production by New Zealand was the surest way of raising the country’s living standard. and those two issues were of the greatest concern to the Labour Party, the Labour candidate for Riccarton (Mr M. A Connelly) told an audience cf 20 at an election address on the corner of Graham’s road and Hadlow place last evening. The Government had definitely improved the lot of the manufacturer. Provided their goods were up to standard they had an assured market in New Zealand. When the country’s overseas funds had dropped in 1958 the manufacturers had responded magnificently to the Government’s request for not only increased production, but production for overseas markets, he said.

The Labour Party was vitally interested in the growth of secondary industries but that did not mean that it was forgetful of the importance of the primary industries. “We are well aware of the part the primary producer has played and will continue to play in the country’s economy,” he said.

Turning to the record of the Labour Party while in office, Mr Connelly said they had honoured every major promise to the electorate. Even with the crisis the Government had to face when it took office in 1958 the Government had still maintained full employment. “We - had to raise taxation to ensure that every person in the country could be assured of employment. The strength of the Government was shown then when it was not frightened to make an unpopular decision.

“The National Party has said it will reduce taxation by calling on loan money for capital works instead of using moneys collected by taxation. In the same breath Mr Holyoake said the Capital Issues restrictions would be repealed. If that is done then all moneys on the loan market will be gobbled up by the finance and hire purchase companies. If that happened the National Party could never reduce taxes.” said Mr Connelly. The part that the youth would play in the future of New Zealand could only be measured by the educational facilities available to them, said Mr Connelly. The increasing complexities of the world meant that New Zealand had to progress in science and research, not only to keep abreast of other countries, but to go ahead. To achieve this more opportunities had to be made for higher education. This the Labour Party was trying to do.