LABOUR ATTITUDE

Kaikoura Star, Volume LIV, Issue 53, 9 July 1934, Page 2

LABOUR ATTITUDE

SENSATION IN HOUSE. A sensation was caused in the House of Representatives when the deputyloader of the Labour Party (Air P. Fraser) announced on behalf of the Loader of the Opposition (Air AL J\ Savage) that the Opposition would take no part in the Address-in-Reply debate, beyond the reading of a short statement setting out the Labour Party’s views on the present political position in New Zealand. Air Fraser’s statement wr.s as follows: “On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, and the Labour Party as a whole, I have to say that we do not propose to participate further than this statement in the Address-in-Reply debate. Apart from this personal note in his Excellency’s address which we appreciate and reciprocate, and the hospitable reference to the projected visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, both of which matters are outside the scope of political controversy, the Address, for which, of course, the Alinistry is responsible, in the opinion of the Labour Party is empty and devoid of any hope or prospect of that constructive policy which New Zealand so urgently needs. ATost certainly it does not warrant Parliament devoting much time or consideration to a discussion of its contents. “The Labour Party has repeatedly in the House and on many platforms throughout the Dominion criticised, condemned, and opposed the Government ’s legislative and administrative policy and actions. The Government’s programme as announced in his Excellency’s address indicates no deviation from that policy and its administration. Therefore, there is no need at this stage for a reaffirmation of the Labour Party’s attitude, which is clearly understood by the House and the country. The Labour Party will reserve further criticism until actual proposals and measures arc before the House. GOVERNMENT’S PLAN WANTED. “Both the Prime Minister and the Afinister of Finance have affirmed that the Government has a plan to restore prosperity to the country. The Labour Party is anxious to give the Government an early opportunity to bring down its plan and the legislation necessary to give effect to that plan "We arc particularly desirous of learning as soon as possible what steps the Government proposes to take in connection with—

“1. The return of purchasing powe to the mass of the people by the rc storation of wage, salary, and pensioi cuts, and the raising of relief pay t standard rates, thereby assisting indm try and business generally, as well a those immediately affected.

2. The restoration of employment in productive and development work for those at present unemployed. 3 The guarantee to workers in all fields of industry and service of wages or salaries sufficient to secure a standard of living in accord with the resources of the Dominion. 4. The maintenance and development of our primary and manufacturing industries on a basis that will give a reasonable return to farmer and manufacturer, and improved working conditions and hours for the employees concerned. 5. The readjustment of indebtedness to save the equities of those who have built up farms and homes, and the lifetime savings of many of our people. 6. The reorganisation of our system of Public Works and the transfer of many of those at present on relief work to the construction of roads, railways, bridges, schools, houses, etc., necessary and essential to the development of the Dominion. 7. The extension of our marketing system for our surplus products and the making of reciprocal agreements for the exchange of those products or commodities and services which will not interfere with our own national progressive manufacturing industries. 8. The national control of banking, credit, and currency. “We ask for the Government’s plan and its legislation. The Government, has been in office for two and a half years, and the distress to-day is greater than when it asked the people to give it an alleged blank cheque to rout ent the country. “We affirm that the democratic development of the Dominion can only be ensured by a dissolution of this House at the close of the present session, and an appeal to the people to say whether they approve or disapprove of the Government and its policy during the three years for which it was elected to office.

“In conclusion we would once more direct the Government’s attention to the appalling fact that thousands of families have been driven below the subsistence level and are short of even the bare necessaries of life. It is surely something to be ashamed of that in a country that produces an abundance of food, clothing, and material for adequate and comfortable homes many thousands of men, women, and children arc suffering through lack of these. Surely it is time, in New Zealand at any rate, to end the anomaly of poverty in the midst of plenty. Once more we appeal to the Government to reverse its disastrous policy, to restore purchasing power to the people generally by the means we have indicated, and to embark on a bold and effective plan of reconstruction. The Labour Party will support proposals in that direction. It will oppose, and persist in opposing, a continuation of the Government’s present policy. The Labour Party will continue to strive for economic and social conditions that will guarantee at least adequate food, clothing, shelter, and the other necessaries and essential amenities of life for every man, woman and child in the Dominion. “We believe that this objective is not only economically, -socially, and morally sound, but is eminently and immediately practicable. ’ ’ There was a round of applause from the Labour benches as Air Fraser concluded his statement. The Afinister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young), who asked for a copy of the statement, said that the attitude adopted by the Labour Party was un-

usual and almost incredible. Mr Young said it came as a surprise to listen to the essay written presumably by Air Savage. Air R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East): You can’t knock holos in it, anyway. Mr Young said it was a most extraordinary attitude for the Labour Party to adopt. It almost seemed as if the Labour Party was afraid to stand up to criticise on the floor of the House. Afr W. E. Parry (Labour. Auckland Central): Oh, you are funny. Another Labour member: Tell us another funny story.

Mr Young said the Government had been criticised for setting up Commissions, but surely it was better for tho Government to take the advice of experts. Referring to the restoration of the wage cuts and the payment of standard rates on relief woiks, Mr Young said a country could only do what was possible with the money that was available to it. There was a gradual trend of improvement in the economic position, ,but it could not be argued that it was wise to place men on relief works, on standard wages, as in that way they could not possibly cure the unemployment prol icm. He defended the Government’s unemployment policy, and claimed that people were being put back into industry. Tho Government had steered a safe and wise course, ,and it was no use raising false hopes in the minds of the people. The statement made by Air Fraser was simply words after words. There was nothing constructive in it. If tho bour Party had a plan it should brings* it out and discuss it during the debate.