Vindicated in War and Domestic Legislation

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 222, 18 September 1943, Page 6

Vindicated in War and Domestic Legislation

Hon. D. G. Sullivan Defends Labour Governments Policy Addressing au audience of somo 150 electors at Feilding last evening Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, claimed that the Labour Government’s policy had been vindicated both in its war and domestic legislation and had given to the people the benefits of Social Security which had been advanced by the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Ravage and which to-day' were the envy of both Great Britain and America. That legislation had influenced the preparation of the Beveridge report and had prompted Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt to say that abject poverty was now no longer possible in New Zealand. Bitterly opposed to Social Security the National Party to-day-supported it and promised to continue It was all very well, the Minister continued, to criticise the Government that it had over committed the countrynow that the Japanese menace of invasion had receded. The Government would not have been faithful to its responsibilities had it failed to go all out for a complete war effort and that meant the calling up of every man that could bo spared from industry. However, the situation was different to-day and it was possible to release consider able numbers from the Army to return to industry and so assist the country to meet its obligations. Mr. Sullivan denied that the Government was dominated by the Federation of Labour or by Trade Unions. Never once when he had been in charge of the country’s administration had he been approached by the Federation of Labour or by any trades union on anyquestion coming before either the domestic Cabinet or the War Cabinet. There were occasions, however, when legislation affecting the lives and interests of the workers had been the subject of representations by the Federation of Labour and trades unions just as the Farmers’ Union or the Chambers of Commerce or Manufacturers’ Association frequently submitted their views on proposed legislation effecting their interests. The Federation of Labour had a perfect right to do this for such actions were 5 done quite openly. All this talk about Cabinet being under the control of the Federation of Labour was all bosh. There was nothing in it (applause). The Price Tribunal, too, l;ad been attacked because it was protecting the consumer to the detriment of those who would defy the price regulations. The accusation respecting the order for £150,000 of shirting material from America was no fault of the Government’s when some bales of butter cloth arrived in its stead. The butter cloth was never ordered by the Government and the leader of the National Party was well aware of that fact. There was also criticism respecting the bringing in of cheap and trashy material from India. The Government did not import that; it was imported by private enterprise, manufactured by r private enterprise and sold by private enterprise to the unfortunate workers of Auckland. The Minister went on to refer to the tribute of the British Prime Minister to the country’s war effort and that also of President Roosevelt’s, eulogies, he said, which had been reechoed throughout the press of the United Nations. New Zealand had been described as the “ Mighty Atom of the British Empire.” (Applause.)

The Labour Government had lifted the country out of the great slump. In three years, it had changed the face of the country (applause). He did not think the people would trust the National Party again after that tragic experience.

Mr. Sullivan paid a tribute to the farmers and went on to deal with the I development of secondary industries, claiming that that policy had made it possible for New Zealand quickly to adapt itself for the manufacture of munitions for war. The country had performed wonders and was now building 481 small ships for the British and American navies.

Answering criticism of the Land Settlement legislation, the Minister said, that the measure was introduced in fulfilment of the Government’s pledge to provide land for settlement for returned

men and it was designed to prevent the exploitation of soldiers desiring to take up land. The freehold was available and in acquiring land, the Government would leave an owner with sufficient to make for an economic farm unit. Concluding, Mr. Sullivan appealed to electors to support the candidature of Cpl. W. 11. Oliver, Labour’s candidate for Manawatu. On arriving at the hall, the Minister was accorded musical honours and was formally introduced by the Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddou) who presided. A vote of thanks and confidence in his administration was carried with acclamatiou. He was accorded an attentative hearing throughout his address.