LABOUR IN OFFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 12

LABOUR IN OFFICE

ITS AIMS STATED

MR. SAVAGE'S MESSAGE

DECENT STANDARDS

The full text of the message which the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon M.

J. Savage) forwarded for publicatioa in the special number of the London "Daily Telegraph" was handed to the Press today by Mr. Savage.

The' message is as follows:— "I wish to express my appreciation to the 'Daily Telegraph' for affording New Zealand this opportunity of presenting the issues and problems with which we are faced. This information will enable the British people to understand and appreciate New Zea-

land's viewpoint. There is little that I can add except to stress two or three basic facts concerning the policy of the Government which I have the honour to lead.

"At the end of 1935 a Labour Government for the first time assumed office in New Zealand. Their majority in Parliament was elected on a platform based .on a simple straightforward objective—the restoration and improvement of decent living standards. The attainment of this end involves far-sighted planning and active direction of the economic activity of the State. The entrance of the State into the fields of economic life is no innovation in New Zealand. Here, as elsewhere, it has become increasingly common for the State to take over various phases of activity which private enterprise does not operate for the benefit of the people as a whole. It is perhaps true to say that in New Zealand the tradition and practice of State Socialism has been more commonly accepted than in most other countries. PIONEER IN SOCIAL LEGISLATION. "This country has long had the reputation of being a. pioneer in the field of social legislation. As far back as 1840, the year in which New Zealand was colonised, the pioneers organised successfully to obtain the eight-hour day. In 1873 the first Factories Act was passed dealing with the employment of women, and by 1890 a small but effective Labour Party was, sitting lin Parliament. For six years this Labour group retained its identity and played a vital part in the enactment of the advanced Labour legislation which was so distinguished a feature of the Liberal-Labour regime. During this period New Zealand prospered in an unprecedented manner, but gradually the Socialist and humanitarian impulse . in the Government weakened and they ceased to retain the confidence of the [ Labour movement. •

; "It is over thirty years since an inI dependent Labour Party came into being and began its long struggle in both the industrial and political fields. Labour support grew as the Governments of the day became more conservative. The inevitable result was an overwhelming desire by the people to return to and extend the Labour principles which had achieved so great a I degree of success in the past. "I have set down these historical details because there seems to be an impression abroad that the people of New Zealand, in electing their first Labour Government, have done some violence to their political tradition and convictions. This conception, as 1 have shown, is entirely wrong. CONTROL OF CURRENCY. "The present Government during their first Parliamentary session have assumed, through the Reserve Bank, control of the credit and currency of ihe Dominion; they have resumed direct Parliamentary control of the railways and transport and the radio. Far-reaching changes have been effected in the labour laws; the principle of compulsion through a State tribunal in industrial matters has been restored after a lapse of four years, the 40-hour week and the minimum basic wage have been instituted. The unemployed problem is being faced with encouraging results, and a comprehensive national health 'and superannuation scheme will be inaugurated next year. The vital problems of the primary producers —marketing, production, and mortgage indebtedness—are being dealt with in a comprehensive manner. It is' essential not only for the protection of our producers but also for the success of our programme of social reform that New Zealand should cease to be unnecessarily at the mercy of trade fluctuations. In this respect our economic relationship with Great Britain is a matter of vital importance to us. "People in New. Zealand are definitely behind the Government. There are many reasons why this is so—from the social and economic viewpoint such changes as have been made or are planned are considered vital to the welfare of the people and the objects of the Government are based on :he satisfaction of these needs. The New Zealand Labour Movement itself is of native growth and its platform is based on the peculiar needs of the country; while it wholeheartedly supports the Socialist philosophy, it nevertheless reserves to itself the right to adapt Socialist ideas to the country's particular needs. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE. "The people of New Zealand have suffered intensely during the depression and they are determined to support a Government that will prevent a recurrence of the distress and poverty of the last four years. They recognise that social justice must be' the guiding principle and that economic organisation must adapt itself to social needs. If our institutions fail in this regard then they must be changed. This is the basic idea behind the policy of the Labour Government in New Zealand. "In conclusion, I would like to make this point: there is general confidence hi New Zealand. The fair treatment of investors has been accepted as a primary principle of the Government's policy and the former shareholders of the New Zealand Reserve Bank and Mortgage Corporation will be the first to admit that this principle has been adhered to. It is our intention to honour obligations freely entered into. Any modifications we may seek to obtain must necessarily be on a free and I voluntary basis. At no time . will it ■ be possible to say of our Government that we have departed from the prin- : ciples of common sense and fair play, and I know that the people of Great ■ Britain will, as in the past, meet New ' Zealand in a similar spirit." .i