LABOUR AND PRICES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 15

LABOUR AND PRICES

Mr Patchctt’s View The National Party did not promise to reduce the price of beer and cigarettes, but the price might weM go up if the Labour Party was returned to power, the National Party candidate for Christchurch Central (Mr D. J. Patchett) told a questioner last night. Mr Patchett spoke for 14 minutes at the comer of England and Tuam streets. An audience of 16 heard the opening of his address, and five heard his closing words. The Government last year spent £l7m on education, Mr Patchett said, and provided smaller classes, better opportunities for brilliant scholars, and more schools, equipment, and kindergartens. The Government in the last three years had provided homes for everyone, so that the people now had the choice of homes. The Government also provided the people with the choice of owning their own homes. “Contrast that with the Labour Party and its adherence to socialist principles. Beware that you do not come under a form of dictatorship under a socialistic government with all its controls and restrictions and higher taxes,” Mr Patchett said.

Labour Promises He said that the Labour Party’s promises would cost the country £s3m if Labour was elected. It would cost £7m extra for the three weeks’ holiday for all workers, and £2.7m for Waitangi Lay for a national holiday. A woman listener: Good on them! Mr Patchett: And who is going to pay for it all? You are. Did anyone here get the £lOO tax rebate that Labour promised in 1957? You all had to pay extra for beer and cigarettes because of the “black Budget.” The biggest number of bankruptcies in any one year had occurred in 1959 —594, Mr Patchett said. The Labour Government had depressed business and made the cost of living dearer. The tourist industry offered a great opportunity to New Zealand, he said. “All you have to do is to plant the idea in some other country and you have thousands coming here. We have natural attractions, scenic attractions in New Zealand. Many other countries live on tourism with much less to offer than New Zealand has. I have never heard of anybody coming here and not wanting to come back.” Hie tourist industry had brought New Zealand £7.5m in overseas funds last year. The Government had made progress in providing new hotels, motels, and air services to the country. It had provided £4m for loans to build tourist hotels, and the scheme had attracted 140 inquiries. By extending the runway at the Christchurch airport, building the international airport at Mangere. and installing navigation aids, the Government had attracted services from Qantas and 8.0.A.C. “Firm Lead” "Hotel projects for tourists costing £600,000 and providing 420 beds have already been built. The Government has given private enterprise a firm lead in expanding the tourist industry,” Mr Patchett said. Asked by a questioner what( he was going to do for the' Christchurch Central elector-* ate, Mr Patchett replied that there were lots of things that could be done. “But I am powerless to do anything at the moment and I do not want to make promises that I may not be able to fulfil. If you support me, I shall be able to do something. I am proud of the National Party, proud of the Government, and proud to be a member of the party,” he said.