Labour Party Chief Stresses Need For Higher Production

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22954, 24 May 1949, Page 6

Labour Party Chief Stresses Need For Higher Production

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 23. Six hundred delegates including 130 women, assembled for the 33rd annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party which opened in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday. Mr, James Roberts, president of the party, presided. The delegates were welcomed by the president of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee, Mr. P. N. Holloway. A message of greeting was received from Mr. James Thorn, New Zealand High Commissioner in Canada and a former prominent official of the conference. The Prime Minister, Mr. P, Fraser, and Cabinet Ministers and Mr.-A. W. Croskery. president of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, were among those on the platform. Now 670 Branches The national secretary, Mr. A. J. McDonald. reported that there were now 670 branches of the party throughout New Zealand. The report of the executive was adopted by unanimous vote ancl an address was’given by Mr. Roberts. Committees were appointed to deal with remits which will come forward for discussion. 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. Roberts in his address. 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 the membership. Source of all Wealth It was, in his opinion, essential thafmembers should fully recognise the fact that 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 the national income. Mr. Roberts appealed for Labour Party 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 “trans-Tasman Toryinforrri.” Mr. Roberts claimed that New Zealand was practically unknown in international affairs until the Labour Government was elected and now, as a result of the work done by the Government’s representatives overseas, New Zealand had a name and reputation of which she was proud. This high reputation had been obtained by the ability and candour of the men who had represented the country and the Labour Party policies they had propounded.