M.P. Forecasts Unemployment

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 14

M.P. Forecasts Unemployment

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELUNGTON, Nov. 12. Widespread unemployment in New Zealand unless the Government took immediate action was forecast by Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P., in Wellington on Saturday night. By preferring to remain popular with the people rather than take strong measures to deal with the country’s economic situation, the National Government was “drifting towards human and economic havoc,” said Mr Nordmeyer. Together with the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) and the Labour member of Parliament for Onslow, Mr H. L. J. May, the former Labour Minister of Finance was speaking at a dinner arranged by . the Onslow and Island Bay Labour organisations. "The Government has avoided increasing taxation,” Mr Nordmeyer told the 300 guests. But their £7,000,000 a year increase in certain community charges was "more vicious.” He did not believe that the Government really

wanted unemployment "But full employment with all its disadvantages is better than having young people queuing at Social Security offices for their dole payments,” said Mr Nordmeyer. While he welcomed the British Government’s move to impose a tariff on butter from dumping countries, a man “would be a sky-blue optimist to believe that there will be any substantial change in our economy in the next six months. “The real danger to the economy is the Government’s failure to take sufficiently active steps to correct the position and this may force the Government to devalue the currency,” Mr Nordmeyer claimed. Mr Nash appealed for greater faith and more work in the next two years. “This will bring Labour back into the control of this country with a greater majority than ever before.” he said amid deafening cheers.