THE REAL ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 25

THE REAL ISSUE

CHALLENGE TO SOCIAL

ORDER

Speaking to a gathering of 60 settlers of Wainui-o-mata last evening, Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, National candidate for Wellington Suburbs, stated that at the last General Election the people recorded their dissatisfaction with the Coalition Governirjmt regardless of the fact that in other places where Labour Governments were in power during the depression the self-same things had been done as were done in New Zealand. It was distinctly unfortunate for us that this change in the administration of the country's affairs had provided the Socialists with a golden opportunity to force men into unions, to dissipate the savings of the people, and to do various other things which would i

push the country along the road to Socialism.

Having gained office on a wave of discontent, the Labour Party was now seeking to fight the old battle over again by continually reminding elec* tors of their past grievances. But that was not the issue today. The Lelt Wing of the Labour Party had issued a challenge to our social order—a challenge to the people who had built up production in this country, a challenge to British traditions. It was no longer a question of cuts or reductions in pay and pensions, because Mr. Hamilton had given a plain statement that there would not be any reductions. The sole and only question before the people, therefore, was whether they were to say good-bye to freedom, enterprise, and opportunity, and content themselves in the future with State positions. State pay, and State pensions. "'RED-FED* COMMUNIST ALLIANCE.'* For several years the Labour Party's, candidates at Parliamentary and municipal elections had been opposed by! nominees of'the Communist' Party, but there were no Communists fighting this election. Labour, Socialist, and Communist were now all in the one camp, with the result that for the first time I in New Zealand they had a "Red Fed"Communist alliance out to reach their common objective. But the ,thinking men and women of the community would never submit to having their savings taken away from them, their property rights denied to them, and the privilege of bequeathing their small "accumulated surpluses" for the benefit of their children swept away> Mr. M. J. Burden was chairman of the meeting, and, after Mr.. Mazengarb had answered several questions about social security, a resolution wasi passed expressing absolute confidence in his ability to represent the district in Parliament.