THE LABOUR LEADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 10

THE LABOUR LEADER

CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTH PROBLEAI OF DISTRIBUTION. (Per United Press Association.) OTAKI, June 19. Addressing a crowded audience last night the Leader of the'Opposition, Air M. J. Savage, stated that the problem of production had already been solved. The main problem facing the country to-day was one of distribution generally. He agreed that the present depression was the result not of scarcity, but of wealth in quantities, which were beyond the people’s buying power. It was difficult to understand why people should be ■ allowed to suffer on account of the maldistribution of wealth, which was rapidly bringing the country to a state of bankruptcy. Palling prices, which hadi resulted from the short supply of money in circulation, had about doubled the real burden of private and public debts during recent years. Every reduction in the buying power of the people meant falling prices, which in effect increased the burden of the debt. The time had come for planned economy, which would ensure that purchasing power would keep pace with the boundless possibilities of production. The dairy farmers were in need of immediate relief and the coming session of Parliament should give urgent attention to providing ways and means to that end. Delay meant the sacrifice of hundreds of good farmers, who had spent large sums of money as well as the labour of a lifetime to bring the country to its present state of productivity. At -the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence in the Labour Party, and demanding the dissolution of Parliament not later than at the end of the period for which it was elected, was enthusiastically carried.