MR. SAVAGE'S TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22259, 6 November 1935, Page 15

MR. SAVAGE'S TOUR

ADDRESS IN WELLINGTON SHORTER WORKING HOURS DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES •X [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Labour's proposals for administering the affairs of New Zealand if returned to power were explained by the leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr. M. J. Savage, when he delivered a policy spooch at the Wellington Town Hall to-night. The hall was full and Mr. Savage was given an enthusiastic reception. At the conclusion of his address a resolution was carried expressing confidence in the Labour Party. Mr. P. Eraser presided.

Ministers said that the Dominion's trade depended upon external buying power, said Mr. Savage, but thinking people knew that unless the people of the Dominion were able to pay ecpnomic prices for nil goods and services—including imports—sold in New Zealand, trade could not be expanded and bank- ■ ruptcy would be inevitable. It was no exaggeration to say that from January, 1930, to the end of 1934 the aggregate amount of wage reductions was not less than £100,000,000; while the aggregate sum due to the reductions made under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act in 1932 could not possibly have been less than another £100,000,000. Labour said that by conscious and intelligent action moro settled economic conditions could bo made to return. Definite action for shorter hours should be taken immediately. Universal Superannuation So long as production was sufficient there was no reason for postponing the introduction of universal superannuation, beginning at 60 years of ago, or invalidity. On the eve of the general elections the Government was promising further investigation and the introduction of a national health service "as soon as financial conditions permit." Labour said again, that financial conditions must be made to meet the needs of the people. Labour also stood for a national health service based upon unh'brsal insurance. The foundation of | any housing scheme must be increased wages and salaries. With a majority in Parliament, Lahotir would begin immediately to lay that foundation. Readjustment of taxation was long overdue, continued Mr. Savage. For many years the tendency had been to shift taxation from incomes to indirect forms of taxation, which always involved the poorer section of the people in the payment of taxes out of all proportion to their ability to pay. Production and Markets The time was long overdue also for the proper planning of production and overseas trado. The present tendency was to restrict existing forms of production by means of the introduction of the quota. If Dominion exports were to bo restricted, there appeared to be only one logical alternative, namely, to build up the home market. That could be done only by the development of New Zealand industries. If primary products could not be exchanged for the manufactures of other countries, there was only ono reasonable thing left to do, namely, to exchange a greater percentage of primary products with additional New Zealand manufactures and services. The time had come for stocktaking, and after consideration of natural resources and external commitments there should be a national plan of reconstruction. Laud settlement must be an integral part of national policy, but it was useless to talk of such' a policy without first laying a financial foundation which would allow the farmer to make a living.

0 AMARU DEMOCRAT A TRIANGULAR CONTEST [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU, Tuesday The official announcement to-day of Mr. H. Gladstone Hill, organiser of the Democrat Party at Christchurch, as the Democrat candidate for the Oamaru electorate, makes a triangular contest for this seat between Mr. H. G. A. Macpherson, the National Government candidate, who represented the constituency in the last Parliament, and the Rev A. H. Nordmeyer, the Labour candidate. GOOD OF THE COUNTRY SIR A. YOUNG'S CAMPAIGN [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday A cordial reception was extended to Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Health, when he opened his campaign for the Hamilton seat at Rukuhia last evening. During his address the speaker outlined the history of the political events of the past four years and said that the present-day results of returning prosperity fully justified the measures which the Government had taken to see the country through its troubles. Mr. K. Gorrie, in proposing a vote of thanks and confidence, said the work done by the Government, although not appreciated at the time, was now proving to have been in the best interests of the people and the country. * The motion was carried unanimously.