Mr Marshall Opens Campaign In Hurumii

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 14

Mr Marshall Opens Campaign In Hurumii

A “firm and steady” policy—not the “sodden jamming on the brakes tried by the Labour Government”—was the description given by the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) to the actions of the National Government since it was elected last November, when he spoke at Culverden last evening. He was opening the campaign for the Hurunui by-election in support of the National Party candidate, Mr H. L. Pickering. “The new treatment may take longer, but it will hurt less, and lead, I hope, to a permanent cure,” said Mr Marshall. While much of the Government’s attention had been directed to grappling with difficult economic problems, it had still been able to do many worthwhile things, the Minister said. He listed 20. About 300 attended the meeting.

“H»e General Election policy a* a whole atands unchanged and will be carried out,” Mr Marshall said. “That include* taxation reductions and greater freedom from control*."

But he aaid that some of the policy might be deferred because of compelling economic circumstance*. Some had already been put into operation and some would be carried out by legislation during the coming session of Parliament. New Zealand lived off the land, and the proceeds from the farm exports gave the country its overseas funds. Over the years, earning and spending must be kept in balance; but this month the overseas funds were only £s3m, compared with £ll6m a year ago.

Prices for New Zealand produce had not been so good, but the main contribution to the country's over-spending was the issue of import licences beyond the country’s capacity to pay, he continued.

Import Flow Imports had been flowing into the country at a far greater rate than last year, and the Minister gave the following comparative figures: January, 1960, £ 17.5 m. 1961, £25.8m; February, £ 17.4 m, £23.4m; March, £20.8m, £ 25.5 m. In those three months, he said, £l9m more was paid for imports compared with last year, which was a year of over-expendi-ture.

The Government had dealt with the problem by trying to reduce or spread the volume of imports over a longer period than the calendar year; by trying to reduce the consumer demand for goods; and by trying to increase overseas earnings by increased production for export and encouraging expansion of overseas trading. “We have not rushed in with hasty and ill-considered action,” he said. "We believe that the best policy is ‘steady doe* it’ ” Mr Marshall listed as 20 worthwhile achievements of the Government:— 1. Appointments to the diplomatic posts in London and Washington. 2. Work stopped on the Nelson railway, ‘‘which the Labour Government started for political purposes at a

coat estimated at £l6m, with an annual loss of £lm. 3. The establishment of an independent monetary and economic council. 4. Positive steps to deal with delinquency. 5. The doubling of the assisted immigration quota. Hospital Subsidies 6. Increased subsidies to private hospitals and Karitane hospitals. 7. Approved and put into operation a long-term policy for producing and distributing electric power adequate for the needs of the country. 8. Arrangements for the protection and preservation of the scenic beauty of the southern lakes, and progress on the setting up of a nature conservation council. 9. A continuation of television and the setting up of a committee to hear evidence on the form of control and administration of television. 10. A savings campaign to encourage thrift and small savings. 11. The raising of a local loan of £ 13.6 m and an overseas loan of £2om. 12. The application for membership of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. 13. The preparation of legislation for carrying out the Government’s policy for the restoration of voluntary unionism. 14. The preparation of a new tariff based on the 1957 review of the Board of Trade. Overseas Trade 15. “We have encouraged overseas trade, held trade talks with Australia, signed a trade agreement with Malaya, are sending our trade commissioners on trade drives to the Pacific and Europe and are planning

a trade survey of South America. We have received trade missions from Japan and South Africa and will have one from Italy next month.”

16. Strong measures to restrain the dumping of butter on the United Kingdom market.

17. The putting forward of New Zealand's views on United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community. 18. The report of Sir William Dunk on the Public Service. A commission would be set up to carry out further investigations, Mr Marshall added. 19. A review of the defence of the country. 20. Legislation prepared to provide for an administrative appeal authority to protect the rights of citizens against arbitrary or unjustifiable action by the State.

“We have much other legislation in the course of preparation,” Mr Marshall said. "We expect to have at least 30 bills ready for introduction at the beginning of the session next month.”

To a question whether he agreed with the “cost plus basis of manufacturing,” Mr Marshall said there were many sound and economic manufacturing industries which did not need protection. There was, however, a need to allow industries which had become established and were providing employment, to develop with some measure of protection. Both Mr Marshall and Mr Pickering said that the results of the by-election would be watched throughout the country. “It is up to us to see that a healthy vote of confidence is given to the Government,” Mr Pickering said.