THE REAL DICTATOR

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 16

THE REAL DICTATOR

ORGANISED LABOUR THE POWER

NATIONALIST WARNS GOVERNMENT FARMERS AND DIRECT ACTION [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] - WELLINGTON, July 21. The abolition of the 40-hour week and compulsory unionism was urged by Mr Burnett (National member for Temuka) during the Address-in-llep)y Debate. To these, he said, could be attributed most of the industrial unrest existing in New Zealand to-day. He warned the Government that organised Labour would abuse its powers, and ultimately the Government would find itself hoist on its own petard. There was already evidence of organised Labour dictating to the Government. One heard of a Minister being put on the mat for being too bold. “ When that sort of thing is going on in the country, can you blame the farmers for listening to the rumblings of direct action?” asked Mr Burnett. “ The rumblings can be heard by everyone, and) if God spares mo 1 shall be willing to lead them in the procession. Mr Burnett added that there had been talk of assisting the sheep farmers by giving them a guaranteed price, but why should the farmer accept a price which he knew to be artificial? A guaranteed price would _ not solve the farmers’ problems, but if tho Government cared to take another course it could) bo of considerable assistance to the farmer. The land tax should be removed —that would be the first move in a policy of helping the farmer to increase production. Rents should be manageable, and the Government should follow Britain’s example of derating farm lands. Hospital rating should be made more equitable between town and country, and. the 40-hour week should be abolished.

“ In my opinion, nothing created more unrest in the country and cities than the 40-hour week,” said Mr Burnett. ” The incidence of this piece of legislation has had a serious effect on the production of the Dominion. It should be abolished, and with it should go compulsory unionism. This should be done in the interests of the Government itself. The more you unionise rural labour, the less rural labour will be used.

“ Remove those loads from the fanners and New Zealand’s production will soar again.” Mr Burnett added that farmers were willing to pay good wages. Mr Moncur (Government, Rotorua): Thirty shillings a week. Mr Burnett: You must live in a starvation district. Mr Moncur: It can’t be too good down your way, either. Mr Burnett said the Government should also make provision for private subdivision of lands. Landlordism never had been a success, and the Government would be well advised to devise a means of rescuing the country from the grip of State landlordism. The Government should also give serious attention to the present mood of the producers. There was a growing indifference among them—they did not seem to care whether they continued to produce or not.

It had been claimed that the increased number of new motor cars was a sign of prosperity, but it was rather one of reckless expenditure. Many people had made up their minds to have a good time while the going was good, and Were spending their money now m case it was taken from them by excessive taxation.