PLAN AWAITED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 13

PLAN AWAITED

CRITICISM RESERVED MR. FRASER'S STATEMENT POINTS OF LABOUR POLICY ADEQUATE"" LIVING STANDARD [llY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday When the Address-in-Reply debate was resumed in the House of Representatives to-day, .Mr. P. Fraser, deputy-Leader of the Opposition, read a statement 011 behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J, Savage, who was in Auckland. He said:— "On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition and the Labour Party as a whole I have to say that we do not propose to participate further than this statement in the Address-in-Reply debate. Apart from the peisonal note in His Excellency's address, which we appreciate and reciprocate, and the hospitable reference to the projected visit of the Duke of Gloucester, both of which matters are outside the scope of political controversy, the Address, for which, of course, the Ministry is responsible, in the opinion of the Labour Party, is empty and devoid of any hope or prospect of that constructive policy which New Zealand so urgently needs. Discussion Not Warranted "Most certainly it does not warrant Parliament devoting much time or consideration to a discussion of its contents. The Labour Partv has repeated!v in the House and on many platforms throughout the Dominion criticised, condemned and opposed the Government's legislative and administrative policy and actions. The Government's programme, as announced in His Excellency's address, indicates no deviation from that policy and its administration. Therefore there is no need at this stage for a reaffirmation of the Labour Party's attitude, which is clearly understood by the House and the country. The Labour Party will reserve further criticism until actual proposals and measures are before the House. "Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have affirmed that the Government has a plan to restore prosperity to the country. The Labour Party is anxious to give the Government an early opportunity to bring down its plan and uhe legislation necessary to give effect to that plan. We are particularly desirous of learning as soon as possible what steps the Government proposes to take in connection with: — Restoring Purchasing Power "(ll The return of purchasing power to the mass of .the people by the restoration of wage, salary and pension cuts and raising relief pay to standard rates, "* thereby assisting industry and Business generally a3 weli as those immediately affected. "(2) The restoration of employment in productive development work for those at present unemployed. *'(3) A guarantee to workers in all fields of industry and service of wages and salaries sufficient to secure a standard of living in accord with the resources of the Dominion. "(4) The maintenance and development of primarj' and manufacturing industries on a basis that will give a. .reasonable return to the farmer and manufacturer and improved working conditions and hours for the employees concerned. "(5) The readjustment of indebtedness to save the equities of those who have built up farms and homes and the lifetime savings of many people. "(6) The reorganisation of the system of public works and the transfer of many of those at present on relief work to the construction of roads, railways, bridges, schools, houses, etc., necessary and essential to the development of the Dominion.

"(7) The extension of the marketing system for surplus products and the making of reciprocal agreements for the exchange of those products for commodities and services which will not interfere with our own national ,progressive manufacturing industries. National Currency Control "(8) The national control of banking, credit and currency. "We ask for the Government's plan and its legislation. The Government has been in office for two and a-half years and the distress to-day is greater than when it asked the people to give it an alleged blank cheque to redeem the country. We affirm that the democratic development of the, Dominion can only be ensured by the dissolution of the House at the close of the present session and appeal to the people t.o say whether they approve or disapprove of the Government and its policy during the three years for which it was •elected to office. "In conclusion, we would once more direct tho Government's attention to the appalling fact that thousands of families have been driven below subsistence level and are short of even tho bare necessaries of life. It is surcjj something to be ashamed of that in a country that produces an abundance of food, clothing and materials for adequate and comfortable homes, man.V thousands of men, women and children are suffering through the lack of these. Surely it is time, in New Zealand at any rate, to dnd the anomaly of poverty in the midst of plenty. Bold Plan Needed

"Once more we appeal to the Government- to reverse its disastrous policy, to restore purchasing power to the people generally by the means wo have indicated, and embark oil a bold and effective plan of reconstruction. The Labour Party will support proposals in that direction, it will oppose and persist in opposing the continuation of the Government's present policy. "The Labour Party will continue to strive for economic and social conditions that will guarantee at least adequate food, clothing, shelter and other necessaries essential for the amenities of life for every man, woman and child in the Dominion. We believe That this objective is not only economically, socially and morally sound, but eminently and immediately practicable." NATIONALITY RIGHTS MARRIAGES WITH* ALIENS PROPOSALS OF BILL [nv TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Notice of his intention to introduce the British Nationality Status of Aliens ,(in New Zealand) Bill was given by 'the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, in the House of Representatives to-day. The bill provides that a woman shall not lose her British nationality on marriage with an alien unless she herself takes steps to acquire that of her husband. This wili bring New Zealand law into line with that in the United Kingdom.