The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, May 4th, 1937. TEST OF LABOUR’S LEGISLATION.

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1937, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, May 4th, 1937. TEST OF LABOUR’S LEGISLATION.

For purposes more political than reasonable, the press has been picking out for public notice certain things which during the past year have increased in price. The idea is to suggest that the country is no better off under Labour rule than it was under Tory rule. The real test of Labour legislation, however, is not whether some commodities or services are cheaper or dearer. What is the general state of the Dominion? That is the question. Are the workers worse off, or the farmers, or .the . industrialists? The truth staring everybody in the face to-day is that not a single section of the community but has had its condition bettered since Labour came into power. The proofs are as manifold as they are unquestionable. The oversea trading figures show a remarkable rise. The test of internal trading, the revenue returns, demonstrate a rapid improvement. Not since before the depression has employment been so extensive, nor the decrease in the unemployed been so marked. Wages, hours and conditions in every branch of industry are incomparably better than they have been for a decade past. The banking figures disclose deposits and advances to have undergone a great favourable transformation Nobody will say that the Govern ment is entitled alone to credit for the uplift. What it has done is to pave the way to prosperity, and the people have been heartened and have responded to the timely lead given them. The fat wool cheque of about fifteen millions this season is attributable to a change for the better overseas, but the dairy industry owes its renewed stability to the enterprise of the Government. It is likewise with the fruit export trade. Internal trade recovery is directly attributable to the deliberate restoration of purchasing power which was an object of the Government’s industrial policy. Having acknowledged oversea in fluence as far it has been a favourable factor, the press generally does not play the game when it attempts at the same time to exclude oversea influence inso far as it has demonstrably operated to raise prices. Taking wool, it is not obvious that the better prices for the raw material going away must mean higher prices for the manufactured form in which not a little of this material is returning to the country? Jt is the same with other goods the prices of the raw materials for which have risen all over the world. Dairy produce prices have shown the biggest in crease on our internal market, but the raising of those prices has been -the proclaimed object, not only of the Government, but of the whole commercial community!

Lt is the same with meat, and other articles of food. If rent is higher, the Government certainly is not to blame, but rather the landlords, while clothing, and allied goods may represent increased labour cost, though all of the material also is dearer. Marriages, numbering 13,740 last year, showed so great an increase as to leave no doubt of greater general prosperity. A point to be noted is that prices are now ■more stable here than formerly and than they are in many other countries, because of Government regulation. When, comparing the present situation with that before Labour’s legislation, it can be said all classes are better off, the poorest able at present prices to buy a. great deal more, the unemployed are rapidly finding well-paid work, the national revenues are rising, the staple industries are all profitable, the housing situation .improving, the industrial outlook brightening, the banking position growing sounder, and the' era of stagnation is past, it is saying all Labour could have wished for a tesi; of its administration, and far more indeed than Labour’s critics forecasted in their most considerate moods. Prosperity has certainly come to the country, and it has come with the rule of a Labour Government.