Mr M. H. Oram at Levin

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 250, 23 October 1935, Page 9

Mr M. H. Oram at Levin

An Enthusiastic Reception.

In convincing illustration of growing public awakening, becoming increasingly evident with the approach of Election Day, to the political situation of the present day, and of deep interest in the comparatively youthful Democrat Party, Mr. M. H. Oram, official Demociat candidate for the Manawatu electorate, was gieeted with a capacity audience upon the opening of his campaign in Levin in the Century Hall on Monday. , ..... .Characterised in the main by a vigorous criticism of the National Government’s administration, togethei with constructive proposals as formulated by his party towards the re-establishment of confidence and prospenty in New Zealand, Mr Oram’s address, in outlining the principals behind the Democrat movement and the measures suggested, met with a particularly favourable reception from the meeting.

The gathering was presided over

by Mr F. E. Trim, who apologised for the unavoidable absence of His Worship the Mayor, Mr P. W. Goldsmith.

In introducing the speaker, Mr Trim

remarked that the Manawatu elector

ate had become recognised as an irn

portant area, and Levin audiences, liav

iiig heard much of the views of the Nationalist, Labour and Currency Reform advocates, were now being given an (Opportunity of judging those of the Democrat Party.

Mr Oram in his opening remarks extended thanks to the chairman for his introducin' . and to the auu. for their large attendance, which, he said, might be regarded as indicative of a widespread feeling for a change in government and a desire to hear the proposals of the Democratic policy. Touching Upon the question of his own candidature, Mr Oram pointed out that although resident in Palmerston North, his position was in reality ideally central as regards the Manawatu electorate. He pointed out his experience in public life in the past, and pledged himself, if returned to Parliament, to stand by his word and to do his utmost for the welfare of the

people whom he would represent. The problems of to-day, said the speaker, demanded a national outlo'oa. Owing to New dependence upon overseas markets, and the increased transport facilities, we were brought close .to European affairs and the international standpoint. The days of the “roads and bridges” type of member of Parliament had passed, aiid a wider outlook was required. The coming election would be won or lost noon the grounds of pure reason, according to the dictates of which, as influenced by the actual policies placed before them, electors would record their votes.

In this respect Mr Oram pointed out that the policy of the Labour Party stood for socialisation, through the means of production, distribution and exchange, of every activity of the country. The policy of the Eorbes-Coates government, ho submitted, was, although of a hidden nature, also leaning towards socialisation, fo’r which the old Conservative element had forsaken their former principles, and which, he suggested, might properly be styled “National Socialism.” Government had beeome more and more vested in the hands of boards and commissions, nominated by Mr Coates, until Parliament itself actually retained but little control.

Was it true, asked Mr Oram, that the leaders of the Government could not find good enough men amongst their own party, that they had to call in the services of such men as Professor Belshaw, Dr. Campbell, and Dr. Sutch, all three admitted ■and avowed Socialists?

In. the early stages of the depression, said the speaker, the Government, panic-stricken and bewildered, had adopted a policy of deflation. Much had been said of the evils of inflation, but deflation,, as borne out by the Ooverument’s action, brought far greater evil and untold suffering. Each deflationary step could be traced by an increase in unemployment and resultant misery. This policy, ui~.ated by political expediency, had destroyed the confidence of the business-world, had brought about inveterate taxation, and had killed all hope of reco.cry. The cross-roads, however, had now been reached, and the decision had to he made, as to whether control should, remain vested in tho hands of the present administration or iu the Democratic outlook of a body of men desirous and able to supervise the interests of the people. If they were satisfied with existing conditions, electors .would vote for the Government, if they desired socialisation, they would return Labour to power, but if they wanted neither of these, then, he i-aintained, it was their bounden duty to support ihe Democratic policy.

It was for those reasons, said Mr Oram, that the Democrat Part, had come into being, to 1 bring before those vast, numbers of people of undecided opinion the true principles of democracy. It was one of the strongest parties being brought forward, contest.::g praccicuuy every seat, in the large majority 6f cases, with men of greater ability than those of the other two parties. ,Ths status, of the leader was worthy of consideration, and Mr T. C.

A. Hislop was undoubtedly a man of unquestionable reputation an! integrity. ... As Mayor of the Capital City he had had a wide experience of public Work, and had earned nothing but the highest commendation and approval. He -was in touch with the unemployment situation, and, as a returned soldier," knew and appreciated the needs of this section of the,community. Many

of the returned men-beihg farmers, he

was also in close connection with the farming question. Through his position, he would prove considerably more •able' to govern than those leaders of the past.

Present Position. Mr Oram then outlined to his hearers the financial position of New Zealand as at the present time. In 1912, he said, the National Debt jood .at £84,000,000, This had by 1931 been

increased to £276,000,000, and at the repay that debt would have required in 1912 £7B per head of population, in 1931, £lB3, and in 1935 £209. The interest on the Public Debt had between 1919 and 1931 increased over 100 per cent. The interest on the PublL Body Debt had increased by 200 per cent.' These figures applied to New Zealand currency only. .Fifty per cent, of that debt was domiciled in London, amounting in all to some £160,000,000, hence, tho raising of the exchange rate to 25 per cent, had increased this figure by £40,000,000. As regards Government Departments (numbering fifty), the increase in population between the years 1914 to 1928 had been 30 per cent. The number employed in public service had, however, risen S 3 per cent., while administrative costs 'had risen 639 per cent. The total taxation in 1915 was £S,SS million, but by 1935 this figure had risen to £24.77 million. A comparison of taxation and production figures showed that, far from these remaining .constant, while the proportion of taxation and production values in 1915 was in tho ratio 8:3, in 1935 it was 29:6.

These figures, Mr Oram said, clearly showed the need for the utmost care and economy in administration; the restoration of the exchange to its original rate; a cessation of the trend towards State Socialism; and considerable relief of taxation.

Democrat Policy. In outlining tho points of the Democrat policy, claimed as the means of fulfilling these needs, Mr Oram showed that tho first point would be democratic control by Parliament itself. A “national advisory council” would be appointed, but the difference between this and the presuit bureaucratic system would be that this was proposed to act in an advisory capacity only, and the members would be chosen as such from all walks of life. Government would be wholly iu the hands of Parliament, to whom would fall all administrative control and responsibility.

Unemployment Relief. Referring to the question of unemployment relief, Mr Oram showed that while, in sound business procedure, it was recognised that in times of prosperity funds for development are taken from profits, in times of economic stress such funds had perforce to bo raised by borrowing. In this case, the Government had pursued exactly the opposite course by attempting to carry out both relief and development measures through taxation. The Democrat party, however, proposed to carry out a policy of sane and cautious borrowing, in its first year of office to the extent of £8,000,000, and to an ultimate total, if necessary, of £20,000,000. By that means could ho absorbed at standard rates of pay all unemployed upon productive works. Even £20,000,000 would mean an annual payment upon interest and sinking fund of only £1,000,000, which, by the results obtained, would be moro than justified. This might largely bo accomplished through local bodies* but much would be done, in stimulation of private enterprise, by a limited guarantee of capital, thus following a sane policy, not in perpetuation of palliatives, but of curing the position. It was proposed also to reduce the unemployment tax from eightpenee to sixpence in the pound. Of this, one penny would be taken for the payment of interest and sinking' fund upon the loan raised, while the remaining fivepence would be allocated to a national health insurance, public benefit, and pensions scheme. This would include increased pension payments, national control of tuberculosis and cancer, increased widows’ pensions and better facilities for the securing of Returned Soldiers’ pensions. The Sales Tax, made necessary by the exchange policy and resultant increased overseas debt, would be abolished. Even then, with the restoration of former exchange rates, a saving to the Consolidated Eund of £1,325,000 might be effected, and the speaker, claimed that these proposals were absolutely financially sound.

Exchange. Mr Oram dealt; fully with the question of exchange, the advantage gained to the farming community by which, he pointed out, came not from over--1 seas but from the New Zealand people. Of approximately £-18,000,000 realised annually in primary products, £12,000,000 was paid by the population through the exchange. Through the exchange, prices when low were increased but little, and when high increased greatly, and the system was in general crude and unscientific. In addition, he pointed out that the credit accumulating to New Zealand in Loudon —many millions —was evidcnco of its adverse effects to Britain’s export trade. These were only a few of the factors giving proof that the rate of exchange had to be brought back to normal as soon as possible. The effect upon the farmer of such a measure might ho overcome, he suggested, by a direct bounty, paid only so long as a product was unproduceable at an economic figure. Mr Oram stated that the Democrats would not only abide by the Ottawa agreepresent day. elflOi at £320,000,00, To

ment, but would carry it out in the spirit intended.

Civil Service. It was proposed, said Mr Oram, to restore the- civil service salary “cuts” to the full, while steps would also he taken to- ensure that the superannuation funds be made actuarily sound.

The speaker also outlined the aims of the party with regard to education, main highways funds administration, and defence.

In conclusion, Mr Oram gave a brief review of the policy as he had presented it, pointing out that it had been designed upon commonsense lines to bring the country out of the difficulties into which it had fallen, and was, lu claimed, the only policy before the electors which might restore progress and prosperity in the Dominion. After the speaker had satisfactorily answered a number of questions, • a very hearty vote of thanks for his address, proposed by Mr R. D. Wallace, was carried by acclamation, while a vote of thanks to the chair concludes! an enthusiastic meeting-