MINISTER ON TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 22973, 2 June 1938, Page 10

MINISTER ON TOUR

CORDIAL RECEPTION AT TAURANGA MR FRASER'S VIEW OF NEWSPAPERS [Per United Press Association.] TAURANGA, June 2. 1 The Hon. If; Fraser addressed a public meeting in ' the Town Hall last night. An audience of about 500 gave him a cordial reception. He dealt at length with Labour’s promises, and what it had accomplished. It had been impossible in the time available to do all it desired, but, given the opportunity, it would , implement the whole of its policy. It had been asserted that Labour had a minority vote of electors. While this was true, it was also true of Governments since 1912, yet all had carried on. When the people understood the issue next election—either forwards or backwards—they would not hesitate to give Labour a substantial majority. The Minister said he would not attack the Press, as it invariably did what he expected—attacked Labour. He did not blame the editors and leader writers, who were paid to do as directed. An examination of the share lists of the larger papers would reveal that the shareholders were interested in other concerns affected by Labour’s policy. The violence of the leading articles and the use ofheadlines from now till the election would surprise even the most hardened. Deaing with Mr Hamilton’s assertion that they would abolish compulsory unionism, the Minister said this would mean to the workers the loss of the present improved conditions, with sweating, particularly of women and children, again rampant. It had to be remembered, said the Minister, that Labour could not wave its arms and bring money down from the clouds. It could only come from the country’s production. Labour had no desire to interfere with legitimate private enterprise. Every industry assisted under the Industrial Efficiency Act had been assisted at the request of the industry itself. The Minister detailed the social legislation enacted. He did not blame the past Government for_ the depression, but for intensifying it. Labour had given a fairer distribution of the wealth of the country, instead of allowing it to remain in comparatively few hands. Referring particularly to education, the Minister said he had been granted £130,000 for new buildings, but the demand for improvements was still acute. Replying to a question, he said the new salary scale for the teacher required much consideration, and would involve an enormous sum. The Government had to consider whether the money was available, and whether the major scale could be adopted this year, or whether something less could be done meantime. If be was still Minister the scale would ultimately be adopted. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried without dissent.