MINISTER OF EDUCATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 3 June 1938, Page 6

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

PUBLIC MEETING AT TAURANGA EABO UR S ACHIE V EMEN J S l United Press Association J TAURANGA, 2nd June. The Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, addressed a public meeting in the I Town Hall last night. There was an audience of about SCO and lie was gi\cn a cordial reception. j Mr Flaser dealt at length with Labour's promises and what had been acj complished. It was impossible in the time i a\ unable to do all that was desired, but, given the opportunity, they would implement the whole of their policy. It tiad been asserted that Labour had a minority Note ol the electors. Although this was true, it was also true of governments since 1912. Yet all had earned on. When people understood the issue at the next election they would not hesitate to gi\e Labour a substantial majority. Tile Minister said he would not attack the Press, as it invariably did what ha expected—attack Labour, tie did not blame editors or leader-writers who were paid to do as they were directed. An examination ol the share lists of the large papers would reveal that shareholders were interested in other concerns affected bv Labour’s policy. The violence of leading articles and the use of headlines now until the election would surprise even the most hardened. Dealing with Mr Hamilton's assertion that he would abolish compulsory unionism, the Minister said it Nvould mean to the workers the loss of the present improved conditions, and sweating, par- ! would again he rampant. It had to be remembered, said tlie Minister, that Labour could not wave its arms and bring down money from the clouds; it could come only from the country's production. Labour had no desire to interfere with legitimate private enterprise .Every industry assisted under the Industrial Efficiency Act had been assisted at tlie request of tbe industry itself. The Minister detailed the special legislation enacted. lie did not blame the past Government for the depression, but for intensifying it Lubcui l;ao given a fairer distribution of wealth to the country instead or allowing it to remain in comparatively Referring particularly to education, the Minister said he had been granted AH6O.000 for new buildings but. the deuiand # for improvements was still acute. Replying to a question, he said that the new salary scale for teachers required much consideration. It would involve an j enormous sum. The Government had, to consider whether the money was available and a major scale could be adopted this year or whether something less 1 should be done in tlie meantime. If he . was still Minister a scale would ultimately be adopted. A vole of thanks and confidence in the • ; Government was carried without dissent.