Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1936 “BUILDERS, NOT DESTROYERS"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1936 “BUILDERS, NOT DESTROYERS"

THAT the world is at the passing of the ways; that the problem which the Government of New Zealand has to solve is not one of production but of distribution; that the benefits of science and invention must be made available to the whole of the people—these were among the points stressed by the Prime Minister, the Hon. M. J, Savage, in his reply to Wellington’s civic welcome last night. There could be no mistaking’the warmth of the welcome and there was no doubt concerning: the endorsement of Mr Savage’s remarks, and also of the tribute paid by the I, Mayor to the Prime Minister’s record of unselfish and proved spirit, of service which, had been marked by hard, vigorous and strenuous endeavour with no adventitious aids, yet accompanied by the respect of opponents. Mr Savage claimed that no Government in the history of New Zealand had enjoyed greater confidence of the people than does the present Labour Government. In a good-natured reference to the attitude, of the Press, he that it had done fairly well in' its attitude towards the new. Government, and he said he was optimistic enough!to think that in the interests Zealand they should try to do better and admit that- he might be right sometimes. Up toithe present,' the Government has been given a very sympathetic reception . by the Press. Mr Savage, however, should remember that he and the members of his Party always claimed the. right to criticise outspokenly and they must', not begrudge that right to others should the occasion arise. Many of the actions of the late Government were the subject of criticism by the Labour Party and by the Press, and it would be unreasonable to expect that the present' Government will not be open to reasonable and constructive criticism. It is an much the concern of the Press as of the Govern, ment that the road back to prosperity

should be travelled as quickly as is eon- i sistent with safety. That Air Savage realises this fact he made clear, and he also said of the Press: “During the election campaign I had no complaints to make and I have had none since.” | Air Savage again gave us the assurance that in the session which has just opened, no time would be lost in getting on with promised legislation, and that the powers conferred on the Government would he used with care and discretion. “We are here as builders, not destroyers,” he reiterated, and he added "I don’t want anyone to get excited,’ as every movement would be made after careful consideration. Problems which were man-made could be solved by man, and the Government’s job was to solve them. There was no need for destitution or want; poverty should be abolished for all time. Mr Savage emphasised that his pledge, and that of his colleagues, for the future, as in the past, was to the people. “Our job,” he declared, is to see that the people’s savings are made possible in the first place, and to safeguard them in the second.” The people had given his Party the right and privilege to shape the destiny of the Dominion and promises made would he carried out to the full. “I promise you, said the Prime Minister earnestly, “we are not going to let you down.” Here again, as often during his speech, there was the applause that marked emphatic endorsement and confidence.

It was better still, to those viewing things from a broader and non-Party outlook, to hear a similar cordial response to the Prime Minister’s reference to the importance of our association with the British Commonwealth of Nations, to the great value of maintaining a defined common purpose and not “muddling along and waiting for something to turn up.” He emphasised, as he has done before, the desirability of a meeting of representatives of the component parts of the Empire—a meeting not for weeks or for twelve months, but for twelve years, if necessary—to lay the foundation of greater things. The time was overdue for “joining hands across the sea” for we had a common ancestry and a common destiny. We had unlimited power of production and should unite to make more effective our powers of distribution—and distribution was a major problem for solution. Such a conference, said Mr Savage again,. would also be able to deal with defence, communication by air and so on. We have not Attempted in this reference to quote Air Savage in detail, but mei'ely to outline the points made. They are points that will appeal to the great;majority of people. Wellington’s Mayor and citizens did well-merited honour. to the Prime Minister last night on the occasion of the opening of a Parliament .#) be guided by New Zealand’s first Labour Atinistry, whose motto is—Air Savage said last night—“ Forward and • Upward.”