MORE PRODUCTION: LABOUR PRESIDENT STRESSES URGENCY

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1949, Page 3

MORE PRODUCTION: LABOUR PRESIDENT STRESSES URGENCY

WELLINGTON, May 22 (P.A.).— Much misunderstanding existed about wages, production, taxation and social services, but improved living standards and social services could come only out of the value of the people’s production, said Mr James Roberts, in his presidential address to the annual conferenc of the New Zealand Labour Party, which , opened in Wellington on Saturday. Mr Roberts said that higher rates of production would enable the Government to improve living standards and services, but a lower rate would retard progress. This matter was so important to the future welfare of the party that he considered it should find a place for discussion and mature consideration by its members. It was, in his opinion, essential that members should fully recognise the fact that the labour applied to natural resources and productive agencies was the source of all wealth, and that the well-being of a nation was dependent on efficient production, wise administration and an equitable distribution of national income. Mr Roberts appealed for Labour unity in election year, and derided statements by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) on his recent return from Australia. He spoke of Mr Holland’s understanding with Mr R. G. Menzies as a “TransTasman Toryinform.” New Zealand was practically unknown in international affairs until the Labour Government was elected, Mr Roberts said. Now, as the result of the work done by the Government’s" representatives overseas, New Zealand; had a name and reputation of which she was proud. That high reputation had been obtained by the ability and candour of the men who had represented the country and the Labour policies they had propounded.