ECONOMIC POSITION

Northern Advocate, 7 April 1931, Page 5

ECONOMIC POSITION

LABOURITE’S REVIEW MEN AND MACHINERY. REDUCTION OF HOURS. (Per Pres* Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A survey of the economic position of New Zealand was made by Mr J Thorn, president of the New Zealano Labour Party, in the course of his address at the annual conference of the party, which opened yesterday. He referred to the displacement of men by machinery and said the remedy was to reduce hours and to pay wages whiefi would allow the workers to come effectively into the market. From the posi tion of the Dominion as he saw it, said Mr Thorn, he thought the following deductions reasonable:— That New Zealand interests are constantly in jeopardy while it almost relies on the London market, where a disastrous fall in prices may be ordained by manipulators and speculators. That the gradual development" of New Zealand’s local market is desirable to lessen the need to sell in London, and as our production is increased it should be devoted to the liquidation of our indebtedness abroad. That to accomplish this development there should be socialisation of New Zealand’s credit resources and their devotion to the stimulation of primary and secondary industries. Referring to the solution of present day problems, Mr Thorn said: things are certain. One is that a remedy cannot be applied by magic. The other is that there is no solution whatever that will take the workers’ interests and well-being into account unless the workers unite industrially and politically and are ready for the "patient, yet determined, work involved in a reconstructive policy. The situation requires, I think, efforts in the following directions: — “A, trade union movement which can visualise itself in the role of the creator of a new society based on co-opera-tion, and which fully appreciates the value of political actions, because" it is now impossible to confine the definition of industrial questions to negotiations that go on between workers and employers. “That there be the fullest possible unity between trade unions and the Labour Party, with frequent consultations in a spirit of helpfulness and comradeship, so that the most /vital effect can be produced in every situation as it arises, and so that propaganda and Parliamentary work might have the full benefit of combination. “That contacts be established with the many organisations serving humanitarian purposes. That endeavours be made to meet the farmers’ organisations for discussion on common problems, with the object of gaining opinion for the Labour Party’s view; that the farmers are at least entitled to the same economic security and advantages as the party is asking for the wage workers, and so that a bond of common interest between the two bodies of workers might be strengthened.” Candidates Chosen. When the conference met the National Executive reported that the following candidates had been selected to contest the next general elections; — Marsden, Mr J. G. Barclay; Waitcmata, Mr A. G. Osborne; Auckland Suburbs, Mr H. G. R. Mason, M.P.; Auckland West, Mr M. J. Savage, M.P.; Auckland East, Mr F. W. Schramm; Auckland Central, Mr W. E. Parry, M.P.; Eden, Mr W. T. Andorton; Grey Lynn, Mr J. A. Lee; Parnell, Mr J. W. Yarnall; Eoskill, Mr A. S. Richards; Manukau, Mr W. J. Jordan, M.P.; Thames, Mr J. S. Montgomery; Hauraki, Mr C. R. Petrie; Gisborne, Mr D. W. Coleman; Napier, Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P.; Waimarino, Mr F. Langstone, M.P.; Otaki, Mr J. Thorn; Hutt, Mr W. Nash, M.P.; Wellington Suburbs, Mr T. Brindle; Wellington North, Mr C. H. Chapman, M.P.; Wellington Central, Mr P. Eraser, M.P.; Wellington East, Mr R. Semple, M.P.; Wellington South, Mr R. McKeen, M.P.; Buffer, Mr H. E. Holland, M.P.; Kaiapoi, Mr H. G. Revel!; Christchurch North, Mrs E. R. McCombs; Christchurch East, Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P.; Christchurch South, Mr E. J. Howard, M.P.; Avon, Mr D. ,G. Sullivan, M.P.; Ricearton, Mr G. T. Thurston; Timaru, Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P.

It was stated tljat arrangements for ■the selection of were in progress in 17 other electorates, and the nomination of candidates for the balance of the seats was under consideration.