DRIVE TO SOCIALISM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 224, 21 August 1945, Page 4

DRIVE TO SOCIALISM

NEW ZEALAND CONTROLS. PLEA FOE INDUSTRY. "When we move over to the Government benches next year our first big task will be to endeavour to bring to a stop this headlong drive to Socialism on which this country has embarked." This statement was made byMr C. M. Bowden, National M.P. lor Wellington West, in an address in the Municipal Hail last night. Mr Bowden expressed his party's abhorrence of regimentation and the innumerable controls which brought it about, and appealed for an opportunity for New Zealand industry to rehabilitate itself. Mr J. C. Young presided and Mr H. G. Mills introduced the speaker. An apology for absence was received from the Mayor (Mr Mansford) who explained that civic duties prevented his attendance. Mr Bowden declared that only in the world's two great capitalist nations—Britain and the United States — was there any vestige of decency and freedom of life, yet Socialists blamed capitalists for wars. World chaos came from Socialist countries such as Germany and Italy. Realising this, the Socialists had had to change their ground and they now approached their objective from a different angle. But the control of the means of production, distribution and exchange was still fundamental in their scheme of life. 'High-sounding phrases gulled many, but Socialism meant more and more controls. The German people had allowed themselves to become inured to controls < until they lost their desire for mental or physical freedom and the inevitable result was National Socialism. In New Zealand the Government controlled production by the control of prices, subsidies and marketing, by controls on imports for industries, and by the licensing of industries which did not need imported raw materia). It owned the railways, delimited road operations, and controlled the ship ping companies, thus controlling the means of distribution. Its .three-point programme was complete with the ownership of the Reserve Bank, "Thus," Mr Bowden said, " we sec that New Zealand is already a Socialist State." Through State ownership of the broadcasting facilities the Government largely controlled the people's thoughts. Mr Bowden claimed that the only fair test of a control was: Did it result in the production of more goods, better quality or cheaper prices? If it failed on each of those points it was insupportable. He warned that although sundry minor controls were now being relaxed the major controls all remained and would do so while Labour was in pow r er. OPPOSITION'S AIM. The National Party agreed that some controls might be necessary from time to time. Had primary production seasons with resulting drops in the overseas funds would necessitate a measure of restriction, but the National Party would impose it on a different basis, by a body of able men who would hold public hearings for the affected parties. Because of the maze of controls New Zealand industry was being stifled. Britain, who did most to save the world, bought most .of New Zealand's exports and New Zealand had a duty to help Britain to restore her export trade. The present lock-out policy against imports was no appreciation. Industry could be encouraged in New Zealand in a score of wajs, but the Government was deaf to appeals. Overseas manufacturers considering the opening of factories in the Dominion had gone away again because, of the rigid controls which would have hampered them if they had attempted to open factories. A very strong appeal had been made to the Government for more generous depreciation on machinery, and now the Budget provided for 20 per cent, depreciation. But that was to be spread over five years and could not be taken in one year as in Britain. That gave neither the incentive nor the opportunity which New Zealand so badly needed. The Government did not seem to realise that by helping to rehabilitate industry it was helping to rehabilitate the thousands of ex-servicemen and women who deserved so richly of the country. The Government simply did not understand business. Mr Bowden said he doubted whether the Government realised how deeply its controls over industry, and through these employment, affected the rehabilitation of returned men and women. These men, after four or five years of necessary regimentation, did not want to queue up to ask for a license to start a business. They wanted to come home to that liberty of action and freedom of choice for which they had fought so magnificiently. While discussing rehabilitation, Mr Bowden contended that the granting of loans to ex-servicemen should be taken out of the hands of the State Advances Department. The department, a very efficient organisation, looked quite rightly to the soundness of the investment and ensured a safety margin of one-third. But for rehabilitation purposes that margin must be relaxed. At the conclusion of his address Mr Bowden answered one or two questions. The thanks of the audience were expressed by Mr A. M. Ongley.