MANY DICTATORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 17

MANY DICTATORS

MINISTERS' POWERS LABOUR RULE TREND REVIEW BY MB. MERUIT® NATIONAL PARTY'S PLANS The Marxian doctrine of socialism, as it was being applied in New Zealand by the Labour Government, was reviewed by Mr. Harry Merritt, National '■ Party candidate for Auckland East, in an address at the Masonic Hall, Devonport, last night. Mr. A. E. Ifraer presided over an audience of about 350 people, who gave the candidate an enthusiastic reception and a most orderly hearing. Interjections were few, and at the close of the meeting, when- there was a call for cheers for Mr. Mlrritt, almost the entire audience responded. Dictatorial powers were vested in various Ministers by a number of Acta passed during the life of the Labour Government, Mr. Merritt said. Under the Industrial Efficiency Act, for example, the Minister concerned had full powers as a dictator, and could compel any industry to come under an industrial plan. Moreover, there was no appeal to a Court of Justice in these matters. Restoring Bight of Appeal "The Transport Licensing Amendmenl Act gives the Minister the power of a dictator to destroy any transport industry without the right of appeal," the candidate continued. "His decision is. not only final, but he is not necessarily' required to give the man a hearing. "For the first time on record in th«) history of the British Courts of Justice) for 250 years, since; the days of thti Star Chamber, the right to appeal tcj a Court of Justice has been taken fromj a, British subject," Mr. Merritt said,. "Up to the passing of these Acts ever jl person had the right of appeal to if he had a grievance. <... . "Our object is that those rights ar<) going to be restored. The first opponi tunity we have will be taken to se<) that the compulsory clauses in all) those Acts are cancelled." (Applause.)] After reviewing various aspects oil the Labour Government's legislation,, Mr. Merritt said that it was definitely not the National Party's policy t<J increase, the already heavy burden oi) taxation. On the contrary, when rej turned to power, the party woulq redeem its promise tc use every endervj vour to effect a reduction, eyen if th<| beginnings were small. The party Would) abolish unemployment, tax on tfomen,' abolish the gold tax, reduce the petrou tax by Id and reduce the radio licenco fee. The party was also making < promise that there would be no wago and pension cuts, or interference witl} hours of work. .

No "Wage Reductions A Voice: Oh, yes, there will. I knotty because I am a working man. Mr. Merritt: That promise has beei) given, and I will stand by.it. • "It is to my mind almost crimina for anybody to try to establish a Bysten of Bocial service where the financiW structure in all its intricate detail can not be fully maintained," he added, ii criticising the' Lab6ur social Becuritj scheme from a financial point of viewi "If the financial , provisions of th<] scheme fail, pensions, fair with ; them;" • A Vote of thanks and confidence wart carried by a large npjority, an amencll ment expressing confidence in th<j Labour Party being howled down.

I AUSTRALIA WATCfflNflj TREMENDOUS INTEREST SPENDING AND DEPRESSION) —r~ - . "*. MR. W. D. STEWARTS VIEWS) t [BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] ■, WELLINGTON, Tuesday The leader'of the New Zealand dele > gatpon to. the British Commonwealth! Relations Conference, the Hon. W,» *Downief Stewart, returned from Syd< ney by the Maunganui to-day. Mr. Stewart said there was tremend) ous interest in .Australia over the issud of the, New. Zealand elections, and th« 4 campaign was being closely followed by all sections of the community. Anxietjt was expressed in some quarters as to> where the present policy "of Govern-i ment expenditure in New Zealand wa# likely to lead the country. There also* was anxiety in,. Australia as to the possibility of another.• general setback*

"It is well known that; in the eventf, of any change in world conditions or prices, Australia always meets th© storm or reaps the advantages 121 months at least before New Zealand; That certainly was the case in the laijtt depression, and the same warning iill was given before that depression i# now being given by Australian experts," tmid Mr. Stewart. "It is not) thought that the depression which i«; considered to be approaching will be) as severe as the last, but, from indications in Australia, it is considered to be wise to shorten sail so far as publioi expenditure "and expansion are concerned." Mr; Stewart also said that it was the opinion in some political quarters, that the Lyons Government had . been in power so long that the pendulum would swing in the other direction at the next Federal elections, and give Labour an opportunity. Whether or not the Australian Labour Party would, be m , a position to take advantage of this o> portunitv, however, depended upon the unification of the present divided Labour forces, and the enunciation of a; g. policy which would appeal to the obuntry. ' .