THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1935 CO-OPERATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume VLI, Issue 3421, 18 December 1935, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1935 CO-OPERATION.

THROUGH their local bodies the people of Ohinemuri county and of Paeroa borough offered their congratulations on Thursday last to the new Member of Parliament for the district and offered to co-operate with him in every ■ manner possible on any subject of local or national interest. The Prime Minister, on the night of the election, appealed for such co-operation, and has since received a wonderful response, and there appears to be a genuine desire among all classes to give the new Government the opportunity to make good without raising obstacles to the fulfilment of the programme. There has been a total absence of bitterness over the result of the contest, and while some reservations have been made which will leave the way open to future criticism, all sections of the community and all interests have publicly expressed the intention of assisting the new Government to build up the welfare of the Dominion and all its people. It is yet too early to foresee in what direction Mr Savage and his colleagues, will ask for co-operation, but it is fairly safe to presume that one of the first tasks will be to tackle the problems of unemployment and low wages. That action will be taken to put unskilled men in the way of earning a living on public works is a foregone conclusion, but with other classes of labour the co-operation of employers will be necessary to achieve a full measure of success. It has been the Labour Party’s contention that wage cuts brought about reduced spending power and thus accelerated the depression. We remember the disruption and demoralisation which the depression brought about, and, when the Government gives the lead by restoring wages, it is up to employers to follow the lead again and thus do their best to restore normal industrial and commercial conditions. Manufacturers and other employers will also be called up to demonstrate their willingness to cooperate by taking back as many as possible of the skilled workers who have been thrown upon, relief as a result of the depression. It may seem to be much to ask, and that it is going against the law of supply and demand, but there is no doubt that the spirit of pessimism which prevailed a few years ago had a very detrimental effect, and that a spirit of optimism is at least worthy of a trial. If the Government can get the people to co-operate in this direction the increased

spending power of the people should speedily make : possible a reduction in taxation and repay employers for their co-operation. The Labour policy has been endorsed by the people. It is for all the people to show, with the full measure of co-operation which the Government will ask for, that the wishes of the people be carried out.