Labour Said To Lack Vision And Courage

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31208, 4 November 1966, Page 14

Labour Said To Lack Vision And Courage

The Labour Party had received its chance, but had thrown it away—it had neither the vision nor the courage to develop the country, the National Party candidate for Christchurch Central, Mr F. W. P. Francis, said to an audience of 30 in the Rugby Street Sunday School Hall last night. Mr Francis was introduced as a toll-operator, of Culverden. As a wage-earner he strongly opposed any domination of one section of the community, he said. The Labour Party was dominated by the Federation of Labour.

“My major reason for seeking nomination and full support for the National Party’s policy is my faith in the future of this growing and politically changing electorate,” he said. New flats in the electorate would cost more to rent, or to buy. Therefore, occupants should have a good income. As a consequence, they would have far more to lose under a Labour Government than under the freedom of the National Party. “The cost of living has risen under a National Government,” Mr Francis said. “But don’t forget, so have salaries and wages. “Our whole way of life and standard of living has risen considerably. Healthy competition and the housewives of this country will control the cost of living far more effectively than any State control.” A reduction in Government expenditure, increased tax and a tighter credit squeeze were methods which could be used to influence price trends. They would be effective if applied vigorously enough. But they would also have serious effects and repercussions on the whole population, including unemployment and industrial unrest. That was what Mr Nord-

meyer had discovered in 1958.

By past standards, the Government was barrowing only on a moderate scale. In 196364, it borrowed overseas £4.1 million. In 1964-65, £7.9 million was borrowed, and last year, £8.6 million. In 1958-59, the Labour Government had borrowed £4O million overseas. But Labour was trying to convince people that the country was in a shocking state financially. “If we did not have any financial stability in this country, who in their right mind would lend us money?” he asked. "A £l2 million loan was over-subscribed in London in one minute flat a month ago.” Bad as war was, it was surely far better to contain communism in Vietnam than to sit back, as the 1 Labour Party would do, and wait for “this festering Communist plague” to take over Southeast Asia. “We should thank God for the help and protection that L.BJ. is providing in Southeast? Asia,” he said.

He said that if private schools found themselves in such a difficult position that they were forced to send pupils to State schools—and if the Government found that this would cost more a child than would an increase in the State aid—then he would be fighting for further State aid to private schools.