THINGS TO COME

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 13

THINGS TO COME

NATIONAL POLICY OUTLINED LIVELY MEETING IN CONCERT CHAMBER WHAT LABOUR HAS NOT DONE The abolition of compulsory unionism, a probable reduction in taxation, an overhauling of the youth employment laws,’ and the encouragement of private enterprise, were indicated as of the National Party’s policy by Mr S. G. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, during an address given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night. Mr J. S, Jeffery occupied the chair. The Concert Chamber was filled to overflowing, hundreds lining the right of ways and entrances. Considerable, and at times prolonged, heckling took place throughout Mr Holland’s address, and on more than one occasion the chairman had to call the meeting to order. However, it did not threaten to get out of hand. Mr Holland was given a mixed reception when he started to speak, and someone wanted to know if the police present were armed with, batons. “ I am going to divide my address into three sections,’’ he said, “ and first of all I am going to say something concerning the Labour Party.” The remark was greeted by loud cheers and cries of “Give us your own pohry,’ “ Leave the Labour Party alone.’ I intend also,” said Mr Holland, “to give you a running commentary of the philosophy of the Labour Party and of the National Party, and thirolv, to give you the National Party s policy.” (Applause, and cries of “You haven’t got a policy!”) Never before had the people of New Zealand been so politically minded as to-day, said Mr Holland; never before had there been such thirst for political knowledge. The principles of the Labour Party were based on State ownership to the detriment of individual freedom. “The policy of the National Party,” stated the speaker, “is based on Here reiterated cries of “ Starvation ! ” prevented Mr Holland from continuing for some moments. “The policy of the National Party is based on enterprise, with Government co-operation,” he said at length. The Labour Party’s policy was one of Socialism, and several members of the party were admirers of the Communist system. _ • A storm of hooting greeted this statement, together with cries of “ You’re treading on dangerous ground. A young man thrust himself from the back of tbe hall and confronted Mr Holland. “ Can you name one member of the present Government who is a member of tbe Communist Party? ” be demanded. Mr Holland’s reply; “ I did not say any member was a Communist.” was greeted by booing and voices calling out from every part of the hall. “ I said that there were members of the Government who were admirers of Soviet Russia and of the Communist system,” continued Mr Holland, when he was allowed to speak. Employers and employees had built up New Zealand; on a system of private enterprise which had been highly successful. It was the system to get results, not State enterprise. Mr E. T. Howard had said that he would like to see an industrial Parliament set up, but the speaker contended that that suggestion would not obtain much support to-day. The people would not stand for an industrial Parliament. There was a big swing over from the Labour Party to the National Party, and there was not a member of the Labour Government who was not concerned over that. (Jeers and laughter.) The National Party stood for private enterprise. Mr H. T. 'Armstrong had said that he hoped the Labour Government would be strong enough to take over the control or industries. The cornerstone of New Zealand’s policy of private enterprise had been thrift, initiative, freedom of all; yet thepresent Government had no room for private enterprise. Mr Holland mentioned the name of the Prime Minister, and for nearly five minutes the hall resounded to loud and prolonged applause and cheering. “ The Prime Minister,” he said, “ had announced that the scratching and scraping attendant upon individual saving must be stopped. There would he a national form of saving that would take, the form of superannuation.” The Government’s interference with private enterprise was apparent in matters of transport, in the dairying industry, and in broadcasting. It contemplated empanelling doctors, which meant that so many people would have to go to a certain doctor whether he was capable or not. The Government had taken over private businesses and had paid absurd prices, out of all proportion to their value.

APPEAL FOR FAIR HEARING. At this juncture the meeting became very lively. Questions, the nature of which it was impossible to gather, were fired at the speaker from all sides, and angry denunciations of the National Party were included. “I ask for fair play!” exclaimed Mr Holland. “ I have microphones before me, and I have loud-speakers all over the hall. I do not want to have to usd them; hut unless you give me a •fair go I shall have to.” Mr Holland passed to his second section. No other Government, he said, had been elected more on a platform built up of promises than had the Labour Government. That Government had honoured some of its pledges. (“.Hooray!”) They had promised a shorter working week, holiday pay, restoration of cuts and of compulsory arbitration, readmittance of five-year-old children to school, and institution of invalidity pensions. He saluted the Labour Party because they had carried out these things. He would remind his listeners that the Labour Government had assumed office when the economic position of the country had improved. Goods sold overseas while the Coalition Government was in power had realised £35,000,000; the same goods sold when the Labour Party came in sold for .£65.000,000. That was where New Zealand was getting it prosperity from today. PROMISES UNFULFILLED. The Labour Government had not fulfilled all its promises. Mr Langstone had said every man in New Zealand should obtain £6 a week. He would like to know how many working men did get £6 a week in Dunedin. Mr Webb had said that Labour would absorb all unemployed in New Zealand. To-day there were 36,450 people who would deny that. The Labour Party had promised to lower the exchange rate and to take off the sales tax, “ Who put those, taxes on?” shouted some one. “ Wc did.” said Mr Holland, “ hut we did not promise to take them off!” The Labour Government's returns from

sales tax had increased by one and three-quarter millions. That was wiping it in, not off. The Labour Party had said that taxation would not be increased. The lowest increase he would mention was 50 per cent. NATIONAL POLICY. “ And now I come to our policy,” said Mr Holland, a remark that was greeted by loud cheers, cat-calls, and cries of “At last!” The policy was outlined briefly, and suffered comparatively little interjection, though prolonged hooting greeted the intimation that compulsory unionism would be wiped out. . The questions of wages, holiday pay, and industrial disputes were to be left to an unfettered and uninspired Arbitration Court, stated Mr Holland. Pensions and gratuities would be maintained. Compulsory unionism would be wiped off the statutes. The matter of the 40-hour week would he left entirely to the Arbitration Court. Restoration of owners’ rights and access to their own property, together with a housing policy within the capacity of the working man were indicated. Compulsory arbitration would be retained, because it was not thought that a change of method of settling industrial disputes should come in with every Government. There would be a complete overhaul of the youth employment laws. No laws needed recasting more than the laws governing the employment of young people. If possible, there would be a reduction in taxation. There would be a furthering of cooperation with Great Britain. The recent German trade treaty was_ not conducive to happy trading relations with the Mother Country. Mr Holland repeated his previous assurances that the National Party supported private ownership of land and business, and the small trader, farmer, and shopkeeper. It would endeavour to allow every man and woman to preserve his equity, and to maintain his purchasing power, and to encourage individual thrift. In Dunedin recently a long-established hosiery firm had been forced to close its doors, thus depriving several workers of employment. Again, the Government had placed an order for laminated steel springs for the Railway Department in Australia. The National Party would endeavour to frame legislation that would make such things impossible in future. The wages tax would be removed from women’s income, and if possible the unemployment levy would be removed. These things were not easy to do. but if possible they would be done. MANY QUESTIONS. At the close of the address Mr Holland was subjected to many questions, tired at him rather indiscriminately. Many of these questions were_ put in such a manner that it was obvious the questioner did not know what he was talking about, and the speaker was forced to form his own idea of them. Ho was asked if the National Party had any immigration policy, and replied that investigation was being caried_ out, and it was hoped to form a satisfactory policy. _ , “ Why were you saying so muon against' Mr Scrimgeour during tho

broadcasting debate?” demanded_ a voice. I never said one word against Mr Scrimgeour,” replied Mr Holland. “ I had something to say against bis appointment as controller of the commercial broadcasting at £II,OOO per annum. In Christchurch 3ZB operates, with 57 employees, a station that formerly was run with only two employees. Perhaps 3ZB gives better service than the old station, but it does not give 29 times that service.” At the conclusion of the questioning period a hearty vote _of thanks was moved to Mr Holland, it being given m a mixed manner.