LABOUR’S RECORD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 9

LABOUR’S RECORD

FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE. MR SAVAGE’S REVIEW. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. In a statement to-day tho Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) said: “Tlie anniversary of Labour’s election to office provides a most fitting opportunity to make a survey of the progress and indicate the lines of further advance. “During the election campaign it was made dear that the immediate objective of the party, if elected, would be the restoration of a fair and reasonable standard of living, and it has been the consistent aim of the Government through leg.slatioii to improve the lot of tlie people on lower income levels.”

Mr Savage said that for the time being the limit of social reform was set l>y the taxable capacity of the country, but this was far from the objective of Labour, for tho futuro policy involves farsighted planning and the direction of the economic activity of the State, and it is to this end they are working. Already as a result of the legislative measures of the first session a solid foundation had been laid for the fulfilment of Labour’s long term objectives. Reviewing what had been done, Mr Savage stressed “that the guiding principle of the Government is social justice. Its aim is that the economic organisation shall be adapted to the social needs, and if any of the institutions of the Dominion fail in this respect they must be changed. A big start has already been made towards removing some of these fundamental defects.” In this regard lio cited what had been done for the dairy farming industry in guaranteed prices, and said that further steps were being taken towards putting the production and marketing system in order. The Minister of Marketing was at present in London endeavouring to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement. Linder the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act it would be possible to make considerable progress towards a satisfactory solution of the old problem of mortgage indebtedness. He also mentioned the reorganisation of the Mortgage Corporation and housing loans.

in regard to the manufacturing industries Mr Savage said the policy had been directed towards preventing ■ the exploitation of the public and to prevent, wherever possible, economic waste. It was intended to take effective measures towards preventing such well-known economic abuses as those connected with land speculation and | the excessively high cost of land, and 'i also faulty .investment methods. Mr Savage claimed that considerable progress had been made towards raising the material standards of the people. Practically the whole body of industrial law had been overhauled and amended, compulsory arbitration restored, the forty-hour and five-day week instituted, pensions increased, invalid pensions provided, wages restored, tin' purchasing power increased. With the marked return to business prosperity, there was ample evidence that the country could afford the higher standards of living the welfare and happiness of the _ people demanded. Next year it was intended to put into operation such further schemes as national superannuation and national health insurance, and a complete overhaul of the education system. Mr Savage paid ia tribute to bis colleagues in the Ministry a.nd in both Houses. Thev had worked splendidly as a team, and had not spared themselves in their efforts to serve the public interest.