MR M. P. MOOHAN Mf. SPEAKS AT RUNANGA

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1949, Page 3

MR M. P. MOOHAN Mf. SPEAKS AT RUNANGA

Nationalises Policy One Big “Sell Oid” A most enthusiastic meeting at the Miners’ Hall, Runanga, was addressed last evening by Mr M. Moohan, Member for Petone, along with Mr J. B. Kent, M.P., the Mayor of Runanga, Mr G. E. English, presiding. There was a solitary interjector, but he finished up endorsing the remarks of the seconder of a motion of confidence in the Member for Westland and in the Labour Party, and he was still sounding o the praises of the Labour Government as the people were leaving the hall. Air Moohan said that it was not his first visit to Runanga, and, he hoped, would not be his last. He was pleased to speak to people of Runanga on the policies of both the Nationalist and Labour Parties. Another historic milestone would, occur on November 30, when everyone over the age of 21 would have the opportunity either of showing their appreciation of what had been done for them or of being misled by Mr Holland’s promises, although the promises showed beyond reasonable tloubt what the Nationists intended doing if they were allowed. New Zealand now was close to the world’s nerve centres, distance having been annihilated by aviation. The bigger countries seemed to be in a turmoil of political revolution. The United States, to which the National Party referred as the essence of prosperity, had five million unemployed. Europe was in a state of strife and frustration. In France there was no political stability, and as for economic stability, when a power other than that of the Government attempted to gain control the future of a land was in doubt. From the shores of New Zealand right up through the Pacific islands to Japan peopl e were living in a fool’s paradise, when compared to our own way of life. The vast spaces in New Zealand and Australia could, and would be used to accommodate less fortunate people from war-stricken countries.

[ He said: “New Zealand is the I happiest, and most prosperous country in the world, possesses the highest standard of living of any country, and that is undoubtedly to be attributed to the Labour Government and the work it has done in the past fourteen years” (applause). The National Party had made no secret of the-fact that they would sell up everything! The £1 he said, would be made to go further, but. they would so act that for many it would float away altogether. The Nationalists, first, would end the price controls and so would increase prices. It was not the minimum prices that now were fixed but the maximum ones. The Land Sales Court would be also abolished. This would ensure that tnere would be no longer a maximum price on property. Speculative advances would hoist the. prices sky high. The highest bidder would get the property. “Back to the law of the jungle” would go the country said the speaker. “The Fair Rents Act would go. The property owners would get more for some of their rat-infested dwellings. Company taxation would be reduced so that they could make bigger profits. In ease fury of Mr Holland’s friends were left out lie would sell the Bank of N.Z. and sell the railways also to some brains trust or board. Workers’ compensation would be handed over to the private insurance companies. Thus, they would let everyone in for their chop. It was the most blatant Tory manifesto ever published. He said: “No November 30, you have thus the opportunity of voting for a sell-out and for going back to th e conditions that prevailed before the Labour Government went into office, or of voting for the Government that has pulled the country out of the rut. As sure as night follows day a return to the rut would be the outcome if the Nationalists went into power.

“When Mr Holland got ?,S seats he became punch drunk with arrogance and confidence and he was so kind-hearted towards the people that he would have sold all empty State houses. The Nationalists are real sellers ever! “During the depression 80,000 women were unemployed and the Government of the day set upa council to direct those out of work io some domestic work and if they did not go they got nothing! The Laobur Government has erected and is still erecting cottages for the aged and infirm, which are adding many years on to those people’s lives. Mr Holland said that people of 60 years ana over could go and work at domestic service, and they would not be charged any income tax. There would be domestic service for th e wife, but where would the o'd man come in? Mr Moohan said anyone that voted to make their aged parents go into domestic service at the age of 60, should hang their heads in shame for the rest of their lives. “The fundamental policy of the Labour Party was to protect home life. Let it disintegrate end the nation likewise disintegrates. More people owned their own homes in New Zealand now than ever before. The Government would continue to build cottages until everyone in New Zealand had a decent place to live in. “Some £13,000,000 was being spent on education this year. There were 50,000 more pupils at primary schools and 20,000 more at! secondary schools than attended fourteen years ago. Mr Moohan referred to Mr Nash as the greatest financier ever in New Zealand. He had been the only Minister of Finance ever to balance the budget evenly and he did so on fourteen occasions. This Government has been the only one to pay off the overseas debt. The Maori wars have been paid off and at the present rate the Crimean and other wars would soon 1 be paid off. Over half a million are receiving the family allowance, 115,000 aged benefits, 15,000 widows benefits,” said the speaker. He outlined the number of people that had electrical home comforts, radios, motor vehicles etc., since the Labour Government had taken office. Some 80,000 more people had telephones and there was a big waiting list which would be attended to as soon as -the equipment arrived. In conclusion, Mr Moohan said the people had the opportunity of putting the Government back with an overwhelming majority to expedite its policy insofar as it is humanly possible. Miss I. Pattinson moved a vote of thanks to the speakers and confid-

once in Mr Kent and the Labour Government. This was seconded by Mr R. Archer and carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chair moved by Mr Kent was carried by acclamation.