The Election Campaign

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 7

The Election Campaign

“ Simply leans Repudiation ”

MR FORBES ON LABOUR’S PLAN

Per Press Association. HANGIO.IvA, Last Night

Quoting'Labour's programme from a Labour pamphlet issued in Dunedin, the l’rimc Minister this evening made an outspoken criticism of the plans for guaranteed prices, iinaucial manipulation and adjustment of overseas debt. Mr i’orbes was speaking to an audience of more than 50(J at Tlangiora on his return to his own electorate from Invercargill.

"That simply means repudiation,” lie said when referring to the Labour proposal for the adjustment of the overseas debt iu accordance with ruling monetary and trade conditions. “Repudiation is an ugly word and one which has never been used before by any political party. Throughout the difficult times wo have stod up to our obligations outside New Zealand, but here we have this definite statement about the adjustment of our overseas obligations from this cud in the Labour policy. Remember, in Russia they were going to adjust class differences. They shot up tho middle classes and called it adjustment. This proposal of Labour for adjustment means nothing else but repudiation of our obligations to other countries. Wo did not start on any repudiation or on any monkeying with currency to bring about inflation.

“It. is just as well, however, that we should understand what Mr (savage, who has promised to put this policy through, would do if put ,iu control of the country. Mr Langstoue, m a pamphlet, had said ho was going to make the country a land lit for heroes to live in. Well, if they could put this policy into operation it would take heroes to stand it.” Mr Forbes told his audience that the workers suffered tho worst through any policy of inflation. When criticising Labour’s guaranteed price plan Mr Forbes said: “They arc going to guarantee prices to the farmers and I would likfc to know how that is going to be done and who is going to And tho money. ■ For instance, it is stated by them that the economic price of wool is one shilling per pound. Now during the depression the price of wool averaged about. -Id per pound so that to bring it up to their guaranteed economic price they quoted, they would have'had to And £5,000,000 sterling. 'Then they are going to guarantee butter, fruit, and vegetables even.

“A factory will not get its guaranteed price for production, but according to this plan they are going to guarantee all the salaries of those engaged in pruduetion whether the salaries .arc earned or can be paid or not. In fact everyone is going to guarantee everyone else. “A Wellington member, replying to a newspaper which asked for details of this scheme, said ho would give principles and tho details would follow later. You want moro than that when it is proposed to introduce a complete change in a system as envisaged by this plan. They must think the people of New Zealand are very simple indeed if they believe they will accept a plan without knowing its details. That sort of thing is too childish to be put over here.”

Labour’s plan, for the control of National credit envisaged a policy of inflation, Mr Forbes also claimed.

The Prime Minister received a very friendly reception. There were a few interjections by a small section of the audience but generally the feeling was entirely one of friendly good humour. Ho received a vote of thanks after answering several questions. Vigorous Campaign Too Much For Candidates NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The vigour of the political campaign m the Stratford electorate is indicated by the fact that of the three candidates only one is on his feet at present. Mr. W. J. Poison, National Government candidate, has been indisposed for several days, but is recovering, and M Skoglund (Labour) has been ordered to bed for at least several days with severe throat trouble. Mr. €. K. Finuerty (Democrat) is still on deck but is feeling the strain. Mr. Poison’s secretary and Mr. Skoglund’s son have been delivering speeches. Mr Savage Back in Auckland AUCKLAND, Last Night. Mr M. J. Savage returned to-day from Hamilton after a spcechmaking tour. He addressed a largo meeting tonight in his own electorate, Auckland West, on the lines of his previous speeches. Mr Savage intends to remain in Auckland till the election, holding meetings in support of the various Labour candidates in the metropolitan area. High Exchange Domestic Concern BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE AUCKLAND, Last Night. Discussing the British outlook on New Zealand problems, Mr P. M. B. Fisher, who is paying a holiday visit to the Dominion, said it was utterly wrong to suggest there was any hostility against the Dominion because ol the increase in the exchange rate. Great Britain recoguised that matters affecting the internal currency of the Dhminiou were purely a question of domestic concern. It was also recognised that had the New Zealand pound been kept closer to sterling a tremendous volume of the Dominion’s import trade would have been diverted to Australia.

Doubtless both Australia and New Zealand would have to come nearer to

sterling some time in tho future, Mr Fisher added, but that was a step which could probably be most effectively arranged in co-operatiou with the British Exchequer.