LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23860, 15 April 1941, Page 4

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE

STABILISATION OF PRICES URGED PRESERVATION OF PRESENT WAGES CONFIDENT OF ELECTION RESULT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 14. A decision that the Government should be urged to provide for the stabilisation of present prices of essential services and commodities, together with the present rates of wages and salaries, was made by the New Zealand Labour Party at the annual conference to-night. The decision was made unanimously after the conference had considered for five hours and a-half the present economic position of the Dominion and future economic policy. It was embodied in a joint recommendation arising from the report of the Economic Stabilisation Conference of 1940, and was presented by the National Executive of the Labour Party and the National Executive of the Federation of Labour. ■ ... The Economic Stabilisation Conference in its report stated that its recommendations were designed to achieve two main results. The first was to stabilise prices, wages, and costs so that the cost of the war was not thrown unfairly on on© group to the benefit of another, and the second was to increase all kinds of production and the efficiency of every type of service which would help, however indirectly, the national drive. With a view to implementing this policy, the national executives of the Labour Party and tho Federation of Labour submitted the following recommendations: — “ After a thorough and complete examination of the economic position of the Dominion 5 occasioned by the war, and in particular the shortage of shipping, the reduction of imports, the loss of overseas markets, the loss of productive man-power, and the fact that reduction of consumption of goods must produce harmful reactions on the workers’ living standard unless steps are taken to meet tho position, your executive recommends that the Government be urged to provide _ for the stabilisation of the present prices of essential services and commodities, together with the present rates of wages and salaries. This policy will entail:—

“ (a) The maintenance of access to essential foodstuffs, clothing, light, heat, and shelter for all. *‘ (b) The maximum availability of goods whilst stabilising the prices of essentials. “ (c) The fixation of prices for essential commodities. (d) The rationing of essential commodities where a shortage develops. " (e) The ordinary law of supply and demand to determine the prices of non-essential and luxury goods. “ (f) That where the landing costs of overseas essential commodities or raw materials advance, the prices on the local market be maintained by the payment of a subsidy. “ (g) Categories of essential commodities to be stabilised to include essential foodstuffs, essential standard articles of clothing and household necessities, rent, public services, fuel, and light.” The Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, spoke on the recommendations in the afternoon, and after a discussion which was continued at the night session they were adopted unanimously. The following motion was carried: — “ That this conference endorses the progressive, sound, and beneficial financial policy and methods of the Government, including exchange control and import and export licensing. It thanks the Minister of Finance for the able and efficient way in which he has handled the country’s finances, and congratulates him particularly on his competent and courageous defence of the living standards of the useful people of New Zealand. The conference, in recording its high appreciation of Mr Nash’s services, pledges the delegates present and the party as a whole to support sincerely and determinedly the joint recommendations of the national executives of the Labour Party and the Federation of Labour regarding New Zealand’s present _ economic position and future economic policy.” NO DOUBT OF FUTURE. “ This is election year, and there may be some who look to the future with misgivings, but for my part I have no doubt whatever as to the future of the party,” declared the president (Mr James Heberts). The conference set up a special committee representative of all sections of the industrial and political Labour movement to raise funds for the campaign. It was announced that the first donation to the campaign funds had been made by the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, which had given £2.250.

Mr Roberts paid a tribute to the efforts of the Government to meet war conditions and maintain the Jiving standards of the people. Industrial labour had ex-pressed its willingness to assist the Government in the war effort, and he trusted that the political conference would take up the same attitude. The importance of unity being maintained within the ranks of the Labour movement was emphasised by Mr Roberts. The last conference, he said, took certain action to end sectionalism, and he trusted that this would result in the unity of members, whether they belonged to the trade, union movement or to branches. The party could not afford differences at the present time. It would always be better, Mr Roberts said, if those who could not agree with majority rule and would like to foist their ideas and ambitions on others were to leave the organisation rather than create dissension within. Since the last conference the international situation had grown even more serious, but they must all play their part in the fight to maintain free institutions against aggression and dictatorship and in the fight for human rights and justice.