Election Campaign

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 22, 30 October 1946, Page 6

Election Campaign

ADDRESS BY MR. NASH

LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY

The Horticultural Hall, Lower Hutt, was about three-quarters filled on Tuesday night of last, week, when Mr. W. Nash, Minister of Finance and M.P. for Hutt, gave an address to electors. Mr. W. J. Andrews, Mayor of Lower Hutt, presided.

Mr. and Mrs. Nash received an enthusiastic reception wlieih they entered the hall, and when the Minister rose to commence his speech ho was greeted by “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow'” and three hearty cheers. Mr. Nash devoted part of his address to a reply to the outline of the National Party’s policy given by the Leader of the .Opposition, Mr. Holland, the previous evening, claiming Uiat much of it was taken from the Labour Parly’s policy, while other proposals would benefit vested interests at the expense of the people generally. He also spoke of the labour Government’s achievements in the past and outlined some of its projected schemes for the future.

Mr. Nash said that it was seventeen years since he was first elected as member lor Hutt. No part cd New' Zealand had changed and developed like the Hutt Valley, the population of which had grown from ?,7,000 to 50,000. Five thousand houses had been built in the Valley since 1930, and at present there were 1041. (of which 840 were State houses) being built. There were now 45 factories in the Valley, as against 22 in 1935, and 10,000 people were employed. The changein the district was profound. Less than ten years ago the Western Hutt road was only a relief road;-now' it was one of the main arteries. New Works Contemplated

New' works contemplated w'ere the electrification of the Hutt railway and the construction of the Itimutaka tunnel, which w'ould bring the Hutt and Wairarapa valleys very near each other. The estimated cost of the tunnel was £1,900,000 and the estimated revenue £56,000,

so it was an economic proposition. No other area had developed to a proportionate' extent in the last ten years as the Hutt Valley. Mr. Nash dealt at length with the Government’s social security legislation, stating that the family, benefits, increased pensions, sickness payments, etc., had brought security to family life. Under the Labour Government, he said, the standard of living had been raised considerably and full employment provided. Much had been done for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. Taxation might he high, but if the tax was deducted from the total income of the people, and the price levels reconciled, people still had twice as much money left as they had in 1935. Last year £100,000,000 had been collected in taxes, and the same amount would be raised this year.

Mr. Nash defended the acquirement of the Bank of New Zealand, and said he was dumbfounded at Mr. Holland’s suggestion that it should be handed back.' The Bank had now more clients and was doing more work than ever. The Government had, by its stabilisation policy, fought inflation, and the price of commodities in New Zealand was lower than in any other country.

Better Conditions

“No people in the world are better housed, better fed, have better recreation facilities, or live to a greater age (68 years in the Dominion against 64 in the United States, 58 in Great Britain, and 27 in India) than those in New Zealand,” said Mr. Nash.

The Government had plans worked out for the development of roads, railways, industries, housing, schools, transport, recreation arid cultural facilities, the primary industries, etc.

Two major industries would be established—a paper pulp and newsprint plant in -the Waikato and a tyre industry in both the North and South Islands. Plans were in hand to build 12,000 houses a year for three years—that should break the back of the shortage.

“We have done a good job and 1 ask you to send us back,” concluded Mr. Nash.

A motion of thanks to Mr. Nash and the Government and a pledge to endeavour to secure the return of the Labour Government at the next election was carried enthusiastically.