LABOUR’S POLICY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 58, 1 December 1934, Page 8

LABOUR’S POLICY

Security and Extension of Dairy Industry

MR. SAVAGE’S ADDRESS

Dominion Special Service.

Palmerston North, November 30.

Tho Labour Party’s plans for maintenance and extension of the dairy industry iu New Zealand were outlined by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, in an address to a large crowd in the Opera House to-night. Brought down to simple propositions, the party’s proposals were: (1) A guaranteed price for butterfat; (2) security of tenure to farmers competently using their land; (3) readjustment of mortgages and land costs on a basis of guaranteed prices; (4) a negotiated agreement with Great Britain and other countries for the marketing of dairy produce with reciprocal contracts for the importation of goods which cannot be economically produced iu the Dominion. “With the substantial assistance which must be given to farmers, ’’ said Mr. Savage, “wages and salaries must be restored to higher levels. It is only from the increased incomes of the rank and file of the people that increased prices or subsidies can be paid. If any serious attempt is to be made in the direction of scientific planning of production and trade, co-ordination of the various parts of the national economy is essential. For that reason the Dairy Commission’s recommendation for the setting up of a council of production and trade should be seriously considered with a view to securing co-operative action. But that does not justify establishing a dictatorship in the primary industries as must result if the Bill as passed is allowed to remain th 2. law of the land. The policy of the Labour Party is to safeguard the people’s right to govern in industry. The present legislation establishes a virtual dictatorship ”

Mr. Savage said the Dairy Commission had failed to face the fundamental facts. It had not given consideration to the need of immediate financial relief for farmers. The only way to extend the existing market was to extend the purchasing power of the people of New Zealand. The policy of the Labour Party would involve the complete control of New Zealand’s monetary system, and if the party had a majority in the next Parliament the currency system of the Dominion would be controlled by the people. A motion of confidence in the Labour Party was carried unanimously.

SPEECH AT OHAKUNE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ohakune, November 30. Addressing a large audience at Ohakune last night, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., in referring to the methods to be used for the expansion of trade, stated that even the British Commonwealth of Nations could not afford to attempt to occupy a wholly insular position, but when .speaking of trade development it was well to remember that unless our surplus wealth was invested with the na' tlon or the Commonwealth of Nations, ais the case might be, instead of in foreign lands, our trade too must go beyond our own borders. That might be a desirable ultimate objective, but it seemed that the right way to proceed was first to build within the nation, then within the British Commonwealth of Nations and, finally, with the nations of the earth; in other words the natural possibilities of New Zealand in the way of production should first be examined and acted upon, and we should then set ourselves to the task of making trade agreements witb the British Commonwealth, and after rhat with the nations of the earth.

The present generation of New Zealanders and the generations to come must find occupations in the service of New Zealand citizenship, said Mr. Savage. Labour’s objective was to build, not to destroy, either the opinions or the property of their fellow citizens. The mo.'ting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. Savage.