WARTIME POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23591, 27 February 1940, Page 9

WARTIME POLICY

THE LABOUR PARTY VIEWS OF MR. J. A. LEE ACTIVE PURSUIT URGED The active prosecution of the Labour Party's domestic programme, including extended social security, State housing and the Onekaka steelworks, notwithstanding the war, was advocated by Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., in an address to his constituents at Point Chevalier last night. The chairman of the Point Chevalier branch of the party, Mr. L. McMahon, presided, and about 300 people were present. "I seem to be the only politician who does not appear to have temporarily gone to earth," said Mr. Lee, "but I feel fully justified in discussing what the Labour Party stands for and stating my own viewpoint on what I consider the most tirgent among the things for which it stands. The war does not constitute an occasion for a mental black-out." No Post-war Deflation After stating the case for freedom of democratic expression in wartime, and holding up Britain as an example in that respect, Mr. Lee said that Labour in New Zealand had no excuse for faltering. If it looked backward at its achievements and ceased to look forward, it might as well get ready to hand over its trusteeship to other forces. Labour was not ready to do that, yet. and he believed it would remain in office for the next 20 years. Mr. Lee strongly urged the need for shaping New Zealand's financial and social policy now in such a way that when the war ended there would be no such deflation and misery as "the monev-chnngers of London" had forced on the Dominion after the last war. Debt Settlement Revision

Immediately before this war, he continued, London had imposed a harsh and unconscionable debt settlement on terms which, if they were applied to further loans falling due in the next five years, would require the Dominion to provide budgetary surpluses of £27,000,000 a year—an impossible task. If such a settlement were enforced and the British Government's agreement to purchase New Zealand produce f| were continued for' a short term only, New Zealand would be unable to meet its obligations. The people of the Dominion were entitled to ask for, longterm agreements in regard to both debts and exported produce. "If these cannot bo obtained," remarked Mr. Lee, "it will be untrue to say that our men marched to create a world fit for heroes to live in."

The meeting carried by acclamation a motion expressing thanks to Mr. Leo for his address,' appreciation of his services to the electorate and continued confidence in the Labour Party.