BUSIEST CHRISTMAS IN HISTORY

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1936, Page 6

BUSIEST CHRISTMAS IN HISTORY

MR PARRY’S PREDICTION

[Special to “Northern Advocate .”o AUCKLAND, This. Day. “When we put forward our programme last year, our opponents said it was impracticable and impossible. Over half of the proposals which they said were impossible are now on the Statute Book. The people are happier and more contented than they have been for many years, and I am prepared to predict that this Christmas will be one of the busiest ever experienced in the history of New Zealand.”

With these words the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry, last night wound up an address during which he reviewed the achievements of the Labour Government during its year of office, and appealed to the people to continue supporting the Government.

The arduous task before the Government, he said, had been tackled with complete devotion to Labour principles. Even their opponents had to admit that they had worked hard. The first step towards the realisation of the new order, he said, was the taking of control over the national credit, in order that assets might be created without a debt in perpetuity. However, a very necessary step had yet to be taken. What had been done had been revolutionary, but the money system could not be short-circuited in (;he manner which obtained at present.

Watch Every Step,

Some of those who had not been long in the party, he went on, were demanding speedier action, but the Government was well advised to keep its feet and to watch every Step.

Already visitors were coming to the Dominion to study the operation of the Labour plans, and he ‘predicted that if Labour "went out of office to-morrow the country would never return to the conditions existing before the election.

It had been said by the party’s opponents that, because the Government had passed legislation to raise the general standard of living, it was denying liberty. He had yet to see that the people were restive as a result of the Government’s actions. The wealth of the country must be shared by the people, and because the party had that as the objective, it was accused of destroying liberty.

Wealth Comes From Work,

However, it also had to be remembered that wealth came from work. The people had to co-operate in that respect. The 40-hour week had been introduced wherever practicable, and he was confident that, as a result of co-operation, production would not be less as a result of the shorter working week, and even that it would increase.

Referring to the general call for unity among the British people. Mr. Parry said it was a praiseworthy appeal, but there seemed to be a suggestion that all parts of the Empire should be partners only when danger threatened. That was not good enough, and any appeal for unity in the Empire had to be a partnership in reality and for all purposes.