Fifty Years Behind The Times

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1949, Page 2

Fifty Years Behind The Times

Favourite Tory bleat to-day is “Ultimate Socialism”, said Mr. Holland. “The announced policy of the Labour Government is ultimate socialism. The Government seeks a mandate —every one of its candidates will support that statement—to complete its programme of socialism until every phrase of our economic life comes under the dominion of the State.”( Civic Theatre, Ch’ch, 21.10.46).

The Tories are twenty years behind their poloitical ancestors of thirty years ago. That makes them, altogether, fifty years behind the times.

The Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey set up the INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE in November 1918 and the report of that committee is Parliamentary Paper 1, 12 (1919). The Committee was: C. A. Wilkinson, (Reform). R. P. Hudson (Reform) J. P. Luke (Reform), A. K. Newman (Reform), G. V. Pearce (Reform), James Craigie (Ind. Liberal), George Forbes (Liberal), J. T. Hornsby (Liberal), H. Poland (Liberal), T. K. Sidey (Liberal), W. A. Veitch (Liberal). Labour was not represented. The Report asks the question whether “we should refuse as a people to take advantage of our great opportunities and merely continue to aimlessly muddle along in the old, old way, trusting to Providence to pull us through.” A Board of Industries and Commerce was suggested, to —1. Engage in trade. 2. Investigate and control prices. 3. Prevent exploitation of the public and suppress profiteering. 4. Make advances to industrial and commercial concerns. 5. Investigate trade conditions. 6. Prevent' unfair methods of competition. 7. Report to the Minister direct on all matters. The following are extracts from the main sections of the Report: Coal Industry: “It is vain to. suggest half measures in dealing with the question of the coal supply. “Recommendations: (1) That the coal measures of the Dominion be nationalised and that privately-owned mines and measures be purchased by the State at valuation; (2) That a Board of Management and Distribution be established on which the workers engaged in the industry shall be represented.” Land Speculation: “There must be very stringent legislation against land-aggregation and the speculative gamble that is at present going on in rural lands should be discouraged and, if possible, prevented.”

Shipping: “Your committee therefore recommends the State ownership of the Ferry Services between the North and South Islands and be worked, in conjunction with the Railways Department.” Overseas Shipping: “If the companies refuse to enter into a satisfactory arrangement the Government should, in conjunction with our producers and importers, establish at the earliest moment a State line of steamers for the whole of our overseas trade.” Coai Steamers: “It is also recommended that coal carrying steamers be taken over by the State and that the Government should have a voice in the fixing of rates and fares .for general coast-wise services.” Flour Milling: “In order to regulate the price and lead to more equitable distribution of flour, with a view to controlling the price of bread, the committee strongly ivcommends the Government shall establish at least one flour-mill in the North Island and not less than two in the South Island.” Fishing Industry: “The Committee is of the opinion that private enterprise alone cannot be depended upon to undertake fishing operations on an adequate scale ard recommends that the State engage in the business ” Oil:

“In view of this evidence (that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company had offered the Government half interest in a syndicate for controlling New Zealano oil fields and for the production and marketing of oil and oil products) the Committee would urge that the Government seriously consider entering into an arrangement with this Company on the lines suggested. Housing:

“The unprecedented shortage of suitable houses throughout the Dominion is a pressing difficulty in town and country alike Hitherto the supply of houses has been left entirely to private enterprise, but we have reached a stage at which the housing problem is - much too acute to be long left entirely to that uncertain, source of supply.’ A Planned and Prosperous Dominion: These proposals were made nearly thirty years ago by a Tory ..(Parliamenfhry Committee: Today’s bleats about “Ultimate Socialism” seek only to distort the real issues--a planned and prosperous New Zealand or a chaotic “free for all” like the U.S.A.