MOMENTOUS ISSUES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1946, Page 8

MOMENTOUS ISSUES

DOMINION FACES CRITICAL TIME GRAVE WARNING SOUNDED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 6. “We have reached a critical time in New Zealand. Momentous issues, confront us, influencing alike business 'occupations and tlie homes of the people. If divisions between employer and employee -continue to widen the country will find, that it is heading for serious disorder.”- These remarks were made by Sir James Gunson, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., in reviewing current economic and political trends at the annual meeting. • ■ “The time has come for some clear thinking for the good of the country, and not for temporary benefits,” said Sir James Gunson. “Whether we like it or not, we are all involved in politics. We must declare ourself or default.' Trained leadership is necessary for success in every human endeavour. Likewise loyalty and an interest in work constitute a base for sound business. w(th prosperity and happiness for the people. Unity .is coupled with leadership. Regimentation of Life. “Employers, • on the plane of human needs and family life, are no different from employees. The term worker cannot be applied only to those who toil with their hands and with their coats off,” said Sir James Gunson. “Divisions among working groups can only damage and hinder the good of the people. Incitement to disorder and revolt against the law are damaging to every class and interest, without any real gain, or anything being secured of permanent advantage. If disorder by unlawful strikes or stoppages of work against industrial awards or agreements is carried to its logical conclusion the present, structure of healthy competitive' business and free enterprise, offering development and security, will end. and the opportunity for those most gifted by nature to assume leadership in business and national affairs will be substituted by a regimented controlled life. “We are aware that this statement will not find favour in all quarters. Some would like to see our present system of liberty and opportunity under what we term ‘free enterprise,’ both in public and private life, superseded by a regimented State monopoly system called ‘national socialism’.”

Sir James Gunson added that in the war -all efforts were behind and for the Government. There was one single purpose. Controls and regulations not necessary in peace time were invoked, and fully supported, for the common good. The same necessity did not now apply, so Government interference in trade was a hindrance and not a help. New Zealand needed freedom from or a considerable easing of war-time measures.

“We oiler as a suggestion that this may be obtained bj 7 an entire overhaul of the country’s fiscal policy Ihruugh the steady superseding of Government controls,” said Sir James Gunson, “and the gradual elimination of the import licensing system by skilful and full, use of the only sound instrument', namely customs tariff, which would control importations effect ively. Nati 0 n a I Socialism. “The farm is still the base upon which rests the security and economy of the country. In conjunction with this, and as essential contributors, there are many supporting and dependent activities,” said Sir James Gunson. “The Dominion cannot- prosper without healthy agriculture, and the chief incentive to the necessary increase in primary production is a free market which has proved to be the most efficient method of trading.” Referring to the “gospel of national socialism,” Sir James Gunson said it must not be overlooked that companies and business generally in New Zealand had been founded on. free enterprise. The present Government had stated its declared policy, which had not yet been fully implemented. A cardinal plank, which had been reaffirmed from time to time, was “socialisation of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.” This meant control over all goods produced, over the movement of all goods, and over all financial transactions, both public and private.