MR. FRASER

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 8

MR. FRASER

Labour’s Claim To Re-Election

“There arc many reasons why the Labour Government should be retained in administrative control of New Zealand, but there are three in particular which make Labour's victory at the general election poll on Saturday thrice assured,” declared the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in a final election message last night. “First of these reasons is the vital part the Government, with the full co-oi-era-tion of the people, has played in developing and maintaining New Zealand's magnificent war effort. “Second, the Government's record ol legislation and administration which before and during this xvar established and held a standard of prosperity and social security enabling the nation to Avage Avar Avith vigour, efficiency and unsurpassed success.

“Third, the pledge of the Government and the Labour Party to make the postwar future of New Zealand better than even the best of the past, to rehabilitate all ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen back to the highest possible standard of civilian life, and to give the whole community absolute security against slumps and ruinous economic depression. _ “These are plain, honest worus epitomizing the Labour Government s deeds in peace and war. “The policy of the Labour Government and party is free of pretence. AA « leave other parties to traffic in shams, and peddle shoddy political wares. All that we have done and voav to do are part ana parcel of the basic principles for which the New Zealand Labour Movement has always fought—the principles that are embodied in the Atlantic Charter of the United Nations as the foundation ot a new world order. ~ “Let the electors anywhere consider the counterfeit programme of the Nationalist Party. It now proffers a fuller cupboard than the one it depleted when it was in office, but if the door be opened in the clear light of experience there will be revealed the grisly skeleton of Nationalist depression. “It is not necessary here for me to count the legislation and administrative achievements of the Labour Government during the past eight eventful years. Lhe people, both old and young, are enjoying to an incomparable degree the fruits of Labour’s policy of making everyday life happy for the many, and not merely for the few as was always the case under the Nationalists. . ~ “There has been a great _dea i pt talk bv the anti-Labour forces in this election campaign about the necessity for restoring the old forms ot freedom. Lhe Nationalists want freedom for ipredatorv vested interests which simply means freedom to grab the highest possible profits from industry, trade and financial investments, and the right to grind the faces of the poor. , “The answer to that preposterous policy is this: Labour stands or tails by the real and true freedom which means freedom from want, freedom from exploitation, and freedom from the tear or slumps and depressions. “I confidently ask for the support and authority of the people of New Zealand to enable the Government:— (1) To direct and carry on New Zealand s 100 per cent, war effort until victory is won. (Z) To proceed with a complete scheme lor the rehabilitation of our servicemen (3) To maintain the high standard ot living of our people, including Social Security, during the war so that.further progress in Social Justice can be made in the post-war. period. “As Leader of the Labour Government and the Labour Barty, I face the issue of the election poll with the utmost confidence.”