TALKS TO PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 12

TALKS TO PEOPLE

Mr. Savage to Make Tour of Dominion DEFENCE OF POLICY “Medicine” to be Handed Out to Critics A tilt nt Hit* Nationalists was made bv the Minister of Health, Hon. I‘. Fraser, when speaking at the Labour Party's reception to the I’rime Minister, RL lion. .Al. J. Savage, yesterday. He was supported by the I’rime Minister, who said lie did not mind a little bit of criticism, but that the other fellow would have to take his gruel. ‘And I think he is going to get it, declined Mr Savage, adding that lie proposed to make a tour of Hie main centres of New Zealand, commencing probably at Auckland on August 14. “During the period' you have been away, sir, our opponents have been making an effort to consolidate their forces. So far, there is no evidence either of consolidation or of forces, as far as I can see,” said Mr. Fraser, addressing Mr. Savage. “However, I don’t propose to examine closely their movements or their power of organisation, nor do I want to under-estimate them. We are beginning a stage in which we can expect the greatest possible measure of opposition. Already we have had evidence of it in certain newspapers. If you look at the columns of certain newspapers you will see the news, and particularly the headlines, being used on behalf of the National Party. Now, that is a most insidious form of propaganda. I am just stating that it is necessary for our people to be well-informed of all the facts and figures, so that we can effectively counteract that kind of propaganda.” “Will Have to Take Medicine.” Reference to the National Party was also made by the Prime Minister. “Mr. Fraser has talked about our opponents consolidating their forces,” said Mr. Savage. “AA’ell, we will be able to see them when they are consolidated. Up to now I haven’t met many. If some of them turned sideways we wouldn’t see them at all. However, I have no objection to a little bit. of criticism AVe can do with it: it is helpful, but the other fellow will have to take the medicine we supply. AVe are going to have a go as well as the other fellow, and we will not run away from him either. “I am going to visit the various centres of New Zealand,” continued the Prime Minister, “I shall probably begin at Auckland when the Hon. AV. Nash arrives there on August 12. AVe will talk to the people from one end ot New Zealand to the other, and if the consolidation of our opposition results in our defeat at the next election we will have no complaint. If that happens and I don't think for a moment that It will —the people needn't expect to gain much if we go out and the other fellows who brought New Zealand to the lowest ebb come in again. Guaranteed Prices. “Some people will say, and in fact they are saying it now, that, this Government was not responsible for the high prices of wool. No, but this Government was responsible for a great deal more equity in the distribution of high prices than any Government ot the past." Although some dairy-farm-ers may argue they haven’t been getting the prices they think they ought to have been getting, I think all realise that at least they have got security. Mr. Fraser: I forgot to tell you, sir, that the vast majority of the dairyfarmers are strongly in favour of guaranteed prices. Mr. Savage said that guaranteed prices were meant to cover the farmers expenses a.nd to give the man. on the laud a reasonable standard of living. A proper analysis was made before the price was fixed. Men who knew, their job were do’ng that now. lie did not know what their recommendation would be. but lie did know that the policy of the Government was to keep the dairy-farmer on his farm and to safeguard his freedom. Other Things Besides Mistakes. “Perhaps we will make a mistake now and then,” added Air. Savage. “But we will make other things as well as mistakes. Our predecessors in the main made mistakes, and where they didn’t make mistakes they didn’t make anything at till. They are going through the country. AVell, I’m going through the country too. I will take the decision of the jury—the people. Aly colleagues and I have had many hidings in our time, and another won’t hurt us, perhaps. Still, the other fellow will have to take his gruel, and I think he is going to get it. “I am satisfied that if we had an election to-morrow, the consolidation of oin - opponents would not be possible, because they wouldn’t be there at all. AVe haven’t changed bur coats. AVe haven’t changed anything except the hellish conditions that existed before we took office.”