COSTS AND WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 21

COSTS AND WAGES

MR. CHAPMAN'S REVIEW

Speaking in the Masonic Hall, The Terrace, last evening, the Labour candidate for Wellington North, Mr. C. H. Chapman, reviewed the effects of the depression years and said the electors should keep the Labour Government in office. Labour Party had men capable of occupying the highest positions, he said, and the record of the las* three years proved their ability. Mr. J. G. Churchill presided and about fifty electors were present. The policy, of the Coalition Government during the depression period had made a bad position much worse, Mr. Chapman said. As wage-cuts were imposed unemployment increased, but when Labour took office the position was reversed. Salaries and wages were restored and the recovery commenced. No one suggested that the New Zealand Government of the depression period was responsible for low overseas prices, but the Nationalists held that booms and slumps were inevitable. The Labour Party on the other hand claimed depressions could be avoided and its* policy was framed so that the productivity of the country would always be available to the people of the country. Mr. Chapman reviewed Labours legislation and said increased wages and shorter hours had had a marked effect on the unemployment position. The number was reduced from 57,000 to 16,327, and now the physically-fit unemployed numbered 2154. That justified Labour's action in increasing wage,s, shortening hours, and embarking on a vigox*ous public works programme. If Labour was given another term in office, before another three years had passed, instead of men looking for work, employers would be looking for men.

Although the cost of living had been low during th« depression years, said Mr. Chapman, many people had difficulty because they had not enough money with which to buy goods, but now the majority were in work and wages had increased much more than the cost of living." It had not been possible to keep costs at; depression level but wages and salaries had been kept above them.

After Mr. Chapman had reviewed other aspects of the Government's activities, he was ace rded a vote of thanks and confidence.