GENERAL ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1938, Page 22

GENERAL ELECTION

UNDER SOCIALISM

REPLY TO CIRCULAR

MR. COMBS'S CRITICISE

The greater part of the address given by Mr. H. E. Combs, Labour candidate lor Wellington Suburbs, at his meeting in the Kaiwarra Methodist Church last night, was devoted to an analysis of statements appearing in a circular which he said had been distributed through the post in the interests of his National Party opponent, Mr. O. C. Mazengarb. Between 80 and 100 people were present. Mr. F. Tyrer pre-1 Sided. Before Mr. Combs spoke, Mr. R. Eddy, president of the New Zealand Workers' Union, addressed the meeting, criticising the National Party's policy and ■ contrasting wages and working conditions between 1931 and 1935, before the Labour Government took Office, with those of today. FREEDOM OF CHOICE. ■' Mr. Mazengarb, said Mr. Combs, asked the electors to consider what Socialism meant to them. The first contention Mr. Mazengarb made was that their personal freedom and private rights would be restricted. Did they want their present freedom of choice to continue? Mr. Mazengarb asked. "I think we want our present freedom of choice to continue," said Mr. Combs. The people, he contended, did not have much freedom of choice between 1931 and 1935. In that time under the Coalition Government the whole of New Zealand was thrown into a state of chaos, but the country had been restored to a state of order by the election of a Government which knew how to use the wonderful productive powers and resources in this Dominion. The workers had a chance now between one employer and another. If the Nationalists were elected the people would have no freedom of choice between 1938 and 1941. In the next three years the people were going to be as free, as they were today because the Labour Government was going to see to it. The next contention advanced by Mr. Mazengarb was: "You will not be able to conduct a business of your own/ What stupidity! commented Mr. Combs. If Mr. Mazengarb looked at the Government Statistician's figures he would see that there were 2500 more shops than when the Labour Government took office, and in the industrial field 560 or 570 more factories had been opened .and were working full time, whereas in the reign of the Coalition Government there were factories which Bad had to close down. Moreover, the factory workers had increased by 24,000. The factory workers were drawing between them, plus the increase in wages those formerly employed were now receiving, an additional £6,000.000. a year, and that money was being spread over the community. Wages had improved to the point where people were putting an additional £14,000,000 away as deposits, which showed that the people had a surplus and were saving. Mr. Combs reiterated that his opponent was telling the people that their gavings -were in peril. He again emphatically denied the assertion. He said that the people need not lose one minute's sleep about their Savings Bank deposits. ~;.,■, A man in the audience said he had tested that over for himself through one of the Post Office clerks, who told him "the sky is the limit. You can get what you want." STATE AS EMPLOYER. Continuing, Mr. Combs said that Mr. Mazengarb next stated: "Your only employer will be the State." Mr. Combs Sprtd that New Zealand had known State control" in various spheres for many years, and in this connection he referred to the Post Office system, the railways, the Government Life Insurance, the Government Fire Insurance, and the Public Trust Office. He did not think many people were going to be frightened about the so-called bogy of Socialism. • ~ Mr. Mazengarb's next point read that the people would have no incentive to better their present standard of living. What better incentive could a, man have than to have the good will of his wife and family towards him? In this connection Mr. Combs dealt with the benefits the Social Security Act conferred. Under that Act the people were guaranteed an income which would leave them in reasonable comfort when they reached the age of 60, That guarantee would not be worth twopence or a snap of the fingers if the National Party got into office on October 15. "God defend us from such.a possibility!" Mr. Combs exclaimed. He described the social security measure as one of the finest pieces of socialistic or humanitarian legislation ever placed on the Statute Book of any country. (Applause.)

„ Mr. Mazengarb also claimed that under Socialism the people would have very little choice of commodities, !3aid Mr. Combs. What choice of commodities was there, Mr. Combs proceeded, when 10 and 20 per cent, was taken off public servants' salaries and the Arbitration Court was allowed to write down wages to the point where people could not live? The people at least today were receiving pay envelopes which enabled them to cover the ■wants of a family.

Mr. Mazengarb's. sixth point was: "You will not be able to leave anything to your children." Mr. Combs replied that 90 per cent, of the working people never had, never could, and never would be able to leave anything to their children. In again referring to benefits under the social security legislation he submitted that every person born into New Zealand fit and well should contribute towards the welfare of the people as a whole, and should do some useful work. He did not think that any person would say that for an extra 4d in the £ they could buy for that 4d such ample security as the Social Security Act gave. When a person paid fire insurance he did not do so in the hope of being in the position of drawing something out He continued to pay the premium to protect himself against the disaster that would come should his house be destroyed.

After referring to other parts of the circular, Mr. Combs said he did not think it would carry very much weight With anybody.

, A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Combs. and the Labour Party, moved by Mr. George Mutton, was carried unanimously.