Prime Minister Ops Labour’s Campaign

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 206, 31 August 1943, Page 5

Prime Minister Ops Labour’s Campaign

Vigorous Defence of Party’s Administration and Policy (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 30. The Labour Government's record in neany eight years of office was the tneme of an address given to-night oy the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. eraser) wnen opening the labour election campaign before a packed uouse in St. oGun's Ambulance Hall, Wellington. Mr. Fraser spoke lor two Hours and announced, that Labour’s policy would be made public in tne next few days. T'nere was a certain amount of opposition and interjection but only a dozen hands were raised in opposition to the motion of confidence in Mr. Fraser and the Government carried by an overwnelming majority at the conclusion. Mr. Fraser received a vocirerous welcome as he entered the hall accompanied by the chairman, Mr. J. O. noimson, Mr. Fraser said that alter eight years of Labour Administration he could make the claim that no Government had conicrred greater benefits on the people or had interpreted the mind and heart of democracy in peace and war tnau had the Labour Government. He asked the people for a vote of conudence and approval of the Government’s direction of the war effort ana a vole or confidence and approval to go on prosecuting the war to the utmost, for that was the most vital task of all till victory was achieved. Attempt to Form rsational Government The question of the need for a general election had been raised. It was true that* an effort had been made toward political unity. He had striven hard for such an agreement. Organisations had been set up leading finally to tho War Cabinet. He had received letters from Messrs. Poison and Bodkin, both Opposition members, on the splendid spirit of comradeship and help prevailing, but all this effort towards unity had foundered on what a British newspaper had described as “a trivial matter" —the stoppage of work in a coalfield at Waikato. The Government had held that compromise was the only course to adopt. Agreement had been expressed on this principle by Opposition members of the War Cabinet, except the leader of the Opposition, and subsequently he had been followed by some of his colleagues. The efforts at political unity had thus failed, but in the Waikato coalfields as a result of the decision of the Government to take over the control for the duration of the war, a practice adopted in other countries, production had increased. From his manifesto statement the leader of the Opposition was in favour of a National Government, but how could such be achieved if the democratic principle of majority rule was no., accepted. By being the only dissenteut in the War Cabinet decision over the Waikato strike and subsequently withdrawing, Mr. Holland had clearly demonstrated the impracticability of a National Government.

Mr. Fraser said it was essential fox him to review the administration of the Government since it had assumed power in 1935 because the .Government’s policy was inextricably bound up with administration, and that policy would continue to be followed. He did not accuse the National Party of causing the slump, but he did accuse them o. failing to protect the people in time of despair and financial difficulty, and reduced wages and pensions had aggravated the position.

The Labour Government had come, into power with 60,000 unemployed in the country. When war broke out four years later unemployment had practs rally been abolished. Developmental and" public works were started and carried out on an unprecedented scale until at the outbreak of war primary production had been stimulated, manufacturing industries had been expanded, education reforms had been introduced and the people had been given the best social security scheme in the world. To carry out its policy Labour had to take control of currency, in spite of what its opponents said the Govern ment had complete control of the cur rency, said Mr. Fraser. Its Budgets had all shown a surplus and overseas debts incurred for civil purposes had been reduced. It was true that the internal debt had been increased, but there had never been a wider basis tor doing so, and the Third Liberty Loan which had been an outstanding success was money owed by the people to themselves. Social Security “Now I come to one of the most important matters so far as New Zea land is concerned —social security,’ said Mr. Fraser. He referred to the tribute paid by Mrs. Roosevelt that • ‘ you in New Zealand have built up a social security scheme under which abject poverty is practically impossible. We are trying to do the same in our country." Even the National Party after years of opposition now said it would not interfere with it. Labour’s housing programme, which was regarded as of vital importance, provided for the erection of 3000 houses this year. It would be stepped up as snore labour and material became avail able. Servicemen’s Settlement Mr. Fraser devoted some time to defending the {Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Bill as absolutely neces sary to prevent the inflation of land values. Had the Government left Parliament without placing on the Statute Book an Act that would prevent what had happened during the last war then it deserved to be defeated over wbclmingly. The provision of adequate recreation grounds was an objective the party wap determined to achieve, said Mr. Fraser. He hoped when the time was opportune chat there would be a Minister and Department devoted to this objective, ihe purpose of which was to cater for the people’s leisure and to further their health.

“Labour will continue its policy. In fact I cannot see much to quarrel with in Mr. Holland’s announced policy because he has simply gained education by studying ours and has gone a great distance in social security and in other things," said Mr. Fraser amid laughter. “Stealing old clothes is a wellknown political game, but some of them don’t exactly fit. You can also have a change of clothes but not a change of heart."

Mr. Fraser stressed that in the coining campaign the fight was against the National Party. The others did not matter. They had been overwhelmed in Australia, but the National Party needed a change of heart and to impress the public of its sincerity, for they could never get away from the conception that a few privileged people should dominate and run the country.