“AS YOU WERE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21549, 31 October 1944, Page 2

“AS YOU WERE”

THE AWARUA SEAT MR. FRASER’S COMMENT WILL ADHERE TO POLICY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. “The result of the Awarua byelection is certainly decisive,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, yesterday afternoon. “While the Labour Party did not expect to win the scat and did anticipate its retention by the National Party with probably an increased majority, the reduction in the Labour vote is regrettable as indicating a lack of appreciation on the part of those who did not vote on the importance of maintaining support for the Government. That is the sum total of the election result. The Government has not lost the seat because the seat was a National Party seat. “The position in the House of Representatives is ‘as you were’—34 Nationalist members. It is no more nor less than the Opposition held previously. At the same time it is clear that the increase in the Nationalist majority indicates dissatisfaction with and opposition to the Government’s general policy, particularly stabilisation, on part of the majority of those who voted.

“One thing is clear —that the discontent of those primary producers who are dissatisfied because all the money received in regard to our overseas trade was not distributed forthwith cannot be allayed beneficially by complying with their requests because that would mean economic ruin in New Zealand. The Government could, with remarkable ease, proceed to bribe its way to the favour of all sections who resent and resist stabilisation by acceding to all their requests. but in doing so we would betray the country. Therefore we have no intention of doing anything of the kind.

“The result of the by-election will in no way affect the policy or programme of tile Government on which the last general election was won, nor will the Government be diverted in the slightest measure from its nunpose of bringing New Zealand safely and securely through the war period. The Government will adhere to its policy of economic stabilisation upon the upholding of which the country’s future depends. It will push on with its rehabilitation policy and proposals. It will promote minimum family income legislation. It will proceed as speedily as available men and materials permit with its large-scale housing schemes with the object of ensuring that every family in the Dominion has an opportunity of obtaining a good home. “It will continue to safeguard the country’s overseas funds, and the country's internal, econopiy by control of imports. ’ It will advocate its democratic conception of world problems. including international security, on every. possible occasion. Above al, it will continue to promote the country’s war effort to the fulfilment of the country’s pledge of its full resources.”