LABOUR’S TASK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 177, 27 June 1936, Page 8

LABOUR’S TASK.

BIG JOB AHEAD. MR WEBB’S OBSERVATIONS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, June 26. The coming of a new social order in New Zealand was heralded by the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb) when speaking to-night at a civic reception in his honour in tlie Town Hall. “This Government has a conscientious conviction,” said Mr Webb, “that it is going to help to blaze the trail for the rest of humanity, and I believe the Government will light a torch that will throw its light even into every home in Europe, where the old order is crumbling at the present day. “As a member of the new Government I can assure you that we are not insensible to our responsibilities and that we do not underestimate the work ahead,” said the Minister. “We have really a big job ahead if wo are to succeed in the realisation of our ideals, but big jobs were meant to be done by Governments with ideals and determination to work up to those ideals.” .

When the present Government took office, the Minister continued, there were 50,000 farmers bankrupt. Business conditions were poor and there were about 50,000' unemployed to whom the door of opportunity was closed. The Labour Government was not responsible for that state of affairs. It had pledged itself to alter all that and if it failed in the eyes of the people it would deserve to receive at the next election a pair of Mr Semple’s running shoes. “Hard tilings have been said about us and we have said hard things about the past Government,” continued Mr Webb. “We represent the new order of things and we feel that the old order was responsible for that state of affairs that existed when we came into office. We have pledged ourselves to try to reorganise our economic system in order to provide work and security, for after all economic security is one of the greatest things we can strive for in this life. We propose to find work for every man and woman capable of working. We do not believe in the sustenance style of keeping people alive'. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) has set out to create a basis to work from, with an increase in the wages of single men by 7s a day and an extra 4S for married men. “Many are asking where the money is to come from, and some to the papers told you before the election that if we came into power we would probably have to close up in a month. Well, we are still going.” It was not only the Government’s intention to find work, but it was also going to find pensions lor those who were not able to render social service. It was humiliating that people should have to go to hospital hoards to crave a few crumbs. The Government was “boxing on,” and it would not rest until it had fulfilled its promises. For the man who could work, but would not work, however, the Government had rio sympathy. He was a parasite on the community, rich or poor, and he could expect no mercy at the .hands of the Government.”

HON. A. HAMILTON’S COMMENT. GOOD .WISHES EXPRESSED. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, June 26. “It is wise for us to take stock and see that democracy does its work,” said Hon. Adam Hamilton in replying to the toast of Parliament at a gathering at Nightcaps last evening at which Hon. P. C. Webb was the guest of honour. “I am not disappointed at the change in politics. It is better that a change should come there than in the streets. It clears the air and gives others a chance. Opposition is a healthy thing, for it brings before the public the other side of the story. Parliament lias become more interesting now that the debates are being broadcast. So far as I can gather, this procedure is creating a great deal of intearest. It might make material change in Parliamentary debates, for it is difficult enough to hold the attention of the House for an hour, and it | will be much more so when it is realisIcd that thousands more are tuned in | over the air. It will bring politics more closely into the lives of the ! people. , “I admire the sentiments expressed jby Mr Webb,” be continued. “It is a ;splendid thing that the Labour Party is in full power, for it can now carryout the ideals it has held for a lifetime. If its ambitions, are realised without evil effects then we will wish them well. All we want is good government, and this country is too good to spoil by party politics. We had a hard spin for three or four years, and the present Government lias not got it easy yet. It needs the support, sympathy and encouragement of the people of New Zealand. I wish the present’ Government the best of luck. It is perhaps far distant, hut there may come a day when there will be no party polities in a democratic country.”