GREAT CARE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 73, 29 March 1937, Page 10

GREAT CARE

LABOUR CONFERENCE

MR. SAVAGE'S ADVICE

INDUSTRIAL PEACE

Messages of good will were exchanged between the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the New Zealand Labour Party conference at today's session. Jn reply to Mr. Savage's message, the conference decided to send a message by radio to the Prime Minister, pledging its

loyalty to him and his Government. Mr. Savage, in his message, emplias- sised that the great powers placed in the hands of the Government must be carefully used, and he said lhat the success of Labour, industrial and po-litical,-would depend largely on the degree of industrial peace and good will that existed among the masses of j the people who were employed from time to time in the industries and other services of the country. He urged the conference to come to its decisions with great care. Mr. Savage's message was as follows:— "Dear Friends, —Since conference last met, the most memorable session of Parliament in the history of New Zealand has been held, and legislation passed which will materially assist in establishing a new order in' which the people of the Dominion will come into their natural heritage.

."While much still remains to be done before our goal is reached, the fundamental nature of the legislation already passed has placed great powers as.well as tremendous responsibilities •in the hands .of the Government. These powers must be carefully used, and-the success of Labour, industrial and political, will depend largely on the degree of industrial peace and good will that exists among the masses of the people who are employed from time -to time in the industries and other services of the country.

"The responsibility of a Labour Government, does not end with legislation, but really begins in earnest with the administration of the la\v.\ This must be done in such a way -as to keep'the machinery of production running "at a speed which will provide an ever-increasing standard of life for the people as a whole. "An intelligent democracy can exist only when the rank and jfile of the people fully realise what1 discipline and organisation mean, and are prepared to go to the limit in support of a Government of their own making. Spasmodic attempts on the part of individuals or small groups can only embarrass the Government, make progress difficult if not impossible, arid ultimately prepare the way for reaction. This must be avoided at all costs, and it will be the duty of conference to put its full weight behind the Government if democracy is to live in New Zealand.

"While I deeply regret my enforced absence from this year's conference on account of the Coronation and the big issues that will be discussed at the Imperial Conference, I feel that delegates will realise that my heart and thoughts will be with them during their deliberations.

"It would not be right for me to ask for dumb acquiescence from delegates' or the Labour movement to any ill-considered move the Government cared to make, but it would be equally wrong for those who have so much to lose by the downfall of the Government to provide new shot and shell for use by our political opponents—for ■that- reason I urge that great care should be taken before making decisions!

"May I say with all due humility that, in my opinion, no Government has ever, been subjected to the same acid test and come through it with so much credit to itself as the one that occupies the Treasury Benches at present; for that reason alone I feel that I am entitled to ask for the Government the same degree of loyalty as it gives to-the people whom it represents. "When Parliament assembles this year, probably in August, members will be asked to pass some of the most humanitarian legislation—including national' health service and universal superannuation—that has ever been submitted to legislators in any part of the world, and the House will continue to sit until it is on the Statute Book. • •

"Last sessions' work can best be understood by procuring a copy, of Mr. D. Wilson's pamphlet 'History in the Making.'. In my opinion, Mr. Wilson deserves the thanks of conference for his brilliant effort in making our first session's work understood.

"Before closing I desire to record my deep debt of gratitude to my colleagues in Cabinet and in caucus for their loyal support—and to the thousands of other good souls in New Zealand and abroad, who, by their inspiring messages, have helped to turn what otherwise might have resembled a crown of thorns into a labour of love.

. "My best wishes will be with you always.—Yours fraternally. (Signed) M.. J. Savage." GOOD WISHES RECIPROCATED. On the motion of the Hon. D. G. Sullivan (Minister of Industries and Commerce), it was decided to send the following reply to Mr. Savage: "This conference reciprocates the good wishes of the Prime Minister; thanks him for his message and his great work as Prime Minister; pledges its loyalty to him and his Government; and wishes him success in his mission arid a safe return to New Zealand."

The reports of the farewell function in honour of Mr. Savage, and of his geparturc by the Arawa, appear on Page 3.