LABOUR MEETING

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 45, 30 May 1945, Page 5

LABOUR MEETING

ADDRESS BY MR. J. ROBERTS VICTORY LOAN SUPPORTED The monthly meeting of the Lower Hutt Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held on May 21st. Members stood in silence as a tribute of respect to the late Mr. A. Robins who was accidentally killed at Petone Station during the previous month. Mr. Robins had been a member of the Branch . for many years and members spokq- appreciation of his loyal support and untiring work on its behalf. ,; The>, president and secretary reported on the campaign undertaken for the Victory Loan, and members were urged to play their part by making an investment at an early date.

The speaker for the evening was Mr. J. , Roberts, National President of the Labour Party. He dealt first with the necessity for all citizens tt| support the 1945 Victory Loan to the best of their ability. During war years, he said, the peopfe of New Zealand had established a record of war service of which they could be proud, and second in importance only to the achievements of our service men and women was the provision of the necessary finance to carry on the war. An important development had taken place in this country from the point of view of national finance as the people themselves were subscribing the necessary capital for war expenditure. The policy of paying for the war as we fought it had been adopted, and all loans to date had been over subscribed. This meant that we would have fewer debts to meet when the war Was over and that the interest accruing on the war loans in New Zealand could be utilised, for further development within the country. Amongst many other subjects dealt with by the speaker, was the establishment of a Labour daily newspaper which, he said, would be published in Wellington before the end of the present year. He referred also to the excellent work performed on behalf of New Zealand at the San Francisco Conference by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Peter Fraser. Mr. Fraser, he said, was one of the outstanding men at that Conference and the lead he had given pointed the way to international peace and economic and national security for the people of all * nations. After answering many questions to the satisfaction of members, Mr. Roberts was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.