Mr Coates Condemns Commandeer

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1938, Page 6

Mr Coates Condemns Commandeer

[Special to “Northern Advocate” J PAPAROA, This Day.

The Ht. Hon. J. G. Coates, National candidate for Kaipara, when speaking fto a meeting in Paparoa on Wednes-

day evening on the aim of the Labour Party to control public facilities, food supplies and industries, with the fixation of prices, wholesale and retail, said that already the Government had commandeered dairy produce, and it had the power by its legislation to extend that to wool, meat and other primary produce. The meeting, which was well attended, was held in the Garrison Hall, and pi’esjded over by Mr J. J. Sutherland.

Dictation Operative,

J Mr Coates said that regarding transport, the tribunal, which previously I existed for the investigation of cases j before transport services were dealt j with, had been abolished, final power | resting now with the Minister. Under ' the Industrial Efficiency Act, the Bureau of Industries could dictate whether industries and businesses should begin or cease.

Mr Coates maintained that the socialisation of the means of production, ultimately involved taking away the

freehold, which involved the right of inheritance. There was a vital difference between the policy of the present Government and th National Party. Cause for Worry.

In reference to the guaranteed price for dairy produce, Mr Coates quoted figures which he considered proved that the farmer was no better off than if he had x'eceived open market prices. It was all very well for Mr Nash to say that we need not worry as he could create credit through the Reserve aßnk. If rising costs, including taxation and labour, went beyond the earning power of our produce ovrrseas, then disaster could not be avoided. Confusion had been caused by the varying estimates given by the Minister of Finance of the surplus in the dairying account, said Mr Coates, who denounced the whole system of guaranteed price as a “washout.”

Fixed Price The National Party would guarantee a fixed price without commandeering, any return realised over that to be given to the farmer, while if market prices fell below the guaranteed price then the country as a whole should stand the loss to maintain the dairy industry. Regarding the social security act, Mr Coates said the benefits were fine but the financial provisions to meet them were not assured. The scheme would cost £22,000,000 annually, but only £12,000,000 was in sight from revenue, leaving £ 10.000.000 while after all the Government expenditure, there were still 35,000 unemployed to consider.

The speaker said his party stood for development of land settlement, including further subdivision of large estates for small farmers. They believed in the Arbitration Court having the final decision in regard to wages and conditions. Present Defence Inadequate

A more adequate system of defence was advocated including the increase in the number of aeroplanes, ample camp allowance and pay to encourage young men to enlist, an increase of the forces to 20,000 and the revival of the old regiments.

The present Government's defence programme was quite inadequate.

Mr Coates said we must hold to the British syste mof democracy, which would enable the people to live happier and fuller lives and to develop in their own way.