Dr. Dawson Critical Of Effects Of Socialism

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31207, 3 November 1966, Page 18

Dr. Dawson Critical Of Effects Of Socialism

If New Zealand was unfortunate enough to have a Labour government, with its consequent socialism, people of ability would tend to go to Australia, where they would be rewarded under a capitalist system, said the National Party candidate for Avon, Dr. J. R. DawsOn, last night He opened his campaign before 24 persons in the Burwood School. “I made this comment to Mr Holyoake the other day, and he said this was the whole point about socialism,” Dr. Dawson said. The Prime Minister had said that too much socialism levelled people down, and the country lost the good ones. A member of the audience: I’m a teacher, and it has taken me 17 years to get as much as a carpenter. Dr. Dawson made the point that the Government had given salary increases to teachers during its term of office.

The country’s external debt was under criticism by the Opposition, but borrowing overseas had enabled the country to import as much as possible, he said. “Export earnings have gone up and people who want machinery and raw materials have a good case to import,” he said. “The Government has done a good job in this regard, importing to increase the prosperity of the country.” Borrowing By State Borrowing was being criticised as a dangerous practice, but the Government was not borrowing as much as the average New Zealander buying a house and items on hire purchase. “The average New Zealander has committed himself for 7 per cent or 8 per cent

of his earnings in interest, yet the Leader of the Opposition is grumbling at 2 per cent. It is nonsense.” Dr. Dawson said the country was most prosperous, and he was impressed by the initiative, drive, and courage of men running small factories in Avon. The present Government would leave them some money in their pockets so they could continue. They would not be overtaxed, but would be encouraged to progress. A number of questions were asked after a brief address by Dr. Dawson outlining the Government’s record. One questioner asked whether, if the Vietnam war continued, the Government would introduce conscription as in Australia.

This was most unlikely, said Dr. Dawson, adding this was his personal view from what he knew of the country.

Asked whether he favoured an extension of licensing hours, Dr. Dawson said he did. It would be satisfactory once the new provision had settled down. Hospital Lists Asked to comment on waiting lists for hospitals. Dr. Dawson said that for acute, malignant, or painful conditions the waiting period was quite short. Other operations, which he described as comfort operations, were for conditions grandmother would have put up with. He did not mean that people today should have to put up with these conditions, but there were many more people waiting than there were beds. Private hospitals 1 were saving the country i quite a lot of money, and [for a modest premium an insurance company would pay the cost of an operation.