" I Say If Can Be Done"

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 85, 12 April 1939, Page 6

" I Say If Can Be Done"

Mr. Savage Addresses Conference of Party

LABOUR PROGRAMME Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 10.

“We have set out to do what is possible and what is right. We have had the responsibility for finding solutions and making decisions, and at all times we have, I believe, been guided by the dictates of common sense in the application of the principles which we set out to apply/' said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when presenting the annual report of the Parliamentary Labour Party at the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party.

“When we took office,” Mr Savage continued, “we set out upon fulfilling the needs of botli a short-range and a long-range plan. There was first of all the remedying of the grave state of affairs existing when we assumed office, the restoration of cuts, and the improvement of unemployment relief rates and wages, and of hours and conditions of work, to quote outstanding instances. “And, while attending to immediate pressing needs, we undertook measures for the permanent improvement of the living standards of the people. In serving this end we were at the same time laying the foundations of an economy which means security for everyone.

“Where particular instruments of the capitalist system were rendering adequate service no change ,was made, but where the free working of capitalism was resulting in insecurity necessary alterations were made.” Proceeding to review the party’s ochievements during its first Parliament, Mr Savage claimed that they had in fact carried out the promises made in their election of 1935 and gone considerably further. Differences on Defence. ! Dealing with national defence, Mi Savage said that much progress had taken place, although it must be stated that some difference of opinion as to methods existed both within the party and out of it However, the remits before the conference would give ample scope for discussion on the matter. “Since the Labour Government assumed office, defence expenditure has been trebled, and I am satisfied that the money is being spent sensibly,” said Mr Savage, “but a mere increase in defence expenditure is not enough. In common with every other democratic country in the world to-day, we are engaged in planning to prepare our peace-time economy to meet any emergency that may arise. “Broadly speaking, I think ve may claim that the outstanding result of the Government’s policy has been an immense improvement in the standard of living of the people. “This is reflected in many ways. The most important as far as the workers are concerned is in wage rates and total wages and salaries paid out. Due allowance must, of course, be made for the recovery in export prices in the increased prosperity of the past three years. “Now that export prices have receded, particularly in wool, the true test of Labour’s policy Is at hand. There is no need to remind this conference that It is the aim of the Government to organise the internal economy of New Zealand so that local production and standards of living can be maintained and improved in spite of trade recessions overseas. “We have laid the foundations for such in economy. It remains to develop and perfect it. The policies of guaranteed incomes, of regulated marketing, of credit and currency control, cf expansion of our own manufacturing industries, of the maintenance of purchasing power and redistribution of the national income, are all directed towards this objective. Must Move Carefully “We have been criticised on almost all points and from all angles. There are those who say that we have gone too far and too fast, and others who say not far enough and not quickly enough. “We cannot afford to move rashly unless we are willing to risk upsetting the sound economic and social structure we are erecting. Nor can we afford at this stage to endanger the movenjent to which so many years of your efforts and mine have been devoted.

“Given a continuance of international peace, there is only one limit to this programme, and that is the physical capacity of the country to produce the requisite goods and services, and the obstacles in the way of the fulfilment of our programme are put forward, not only by vested interests, who say that it must not be done, but also by those who say that it can’t be done.

“I say that it can and will be done, 0 Mr. Savage concluded. “There is a difference of opinion as to the means. That is inevitable and healthy. In our democratic faith and organisation we say that the will of the people must prevail, and, as long as we are the Government, that will be the case. 0