LEADERS’ FINAL BROADCASTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23631, 15 October 1938, Page 14

LEADERS’ FINAL BROADCASTS

THE PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ASSURANCE BY MR SAVAGE SOCIAL WELFARE EMPHASISED NOTHING SINISTER IN POLICY (Ttß United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. A final appeal to the electors was made by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) in a broadcast address to-night. “I shall not abuse the privilege by abusing the opponents of the Government.” Mr Savage said. “Their own record in the recent past is in itself a serious indictment. They must stand or fall by it. “In the first place it is worth while to mention that the Nationalists and their newspapers have had much to say during the election campaign about the Labour Government’s threat to the freedom of the individual. The answer to it all is that the alleged menace does not exist. The people's freedom to-day is as secure as it was in the days of Richard John Seddon, and he was called the ‘Beelzebub of seven devils of Socialism.* Oppression Not Intended

"We do not believe In oppression. The unalterable policy of the Government is to extend personal freedom in every reasonable way and particularly in the direction of helping all citizens of New Zealand to be free of social distress and fear of poverty in sickness and old age. I know of no greater threat to freedom for the individual than want. I believe that political freedom is still the most cherished of democratic rights. Here again there is no reason for complaint in New Zealand. As conditions are to-day such freedom is complete. “Labour has fought throughout its uphill history to secure and maintain the rights of all people. For that reason the Government in its first term of office repealed the Nationalists’ very bad law of interference with the bardwon rights of democracy when they extended Parliament’s term to four years. The Many and the Few "Is it necessary for me to add that there is no danger of the Labour Party taking away either the individual or collective right of the people? I mention it because of the risk that the Nationalists, if they regain control of Parliament, will again extend its life to enable them to remould industrial and social conditions to their hearts' desire. In that event life' once more would become a bed of roses for the few and an economic battleground for the many. “ Now for the issue of the general election to-morrow. It is the vital test of the achievement under Labour as against the un€;xampled record of impoverishment and stagnation under the National Government, the same party which parades v to-day as Nationalists flushed with repentence for electioneering purposes, but still unchanged and unchangeable, “We Are Not Afraid” “We are not afraid to meet the most searching of electoral tests. Our record of service and legislation within three years is the best in New Zealand history. We have restored progress, extended development and rehabilitated the whole country. The Government’s intentions have all been plainly stated in its manifesto. There is nothing hidden, and there is nothing sinister in or about it. “ The actual and potential wealth of the country justifies our progressive policy. It also justifies our determination to establish and maintain a more equitable standard of social justice. Our economic and financial system must be adjusted to the social needs. That is all there is in it. The People to Decide “I urge all electors to register their votes to-morrow and to record their own opinions about the merits of the Government, compared with the past record 6f the Nationalists. I leave it to the people to decide the issue, and I have full confidence in their commonsense.’’.

I’ “RETURN TO SANITY” | MR HAMILTON’S APPEAL REJECTION OF SOCIALISM CONFIDENCE IN ELECTORS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 14. Confidence that the principles for which the National Party stands will to-morrow receive endorsement from the electors was expressed by the Leader of the Opposition <Mr Adam Hamilton) in his final election appeal, which was broadcast from IYA tonight. , „ “During (ho last few weeks. Mr Hamilton said, “my supporters and myself have been appealing for the votes of the people of New Zealand. We have said in effect that the most prized possession of the New Zealander is his individuality. It is the heritage of the British stock from which ho springs. We have said that we will preserve that individuality, and the sense of personal freedom which goes with it. from the levellingdown process which goes with Socialism. The Issue “The issue before the country tomorrow is whether New Zealanders wish to live as individuals with the right and privilege to receive the just reward of their own endeavours, or whether they wish in return for a few material comforts to sell themselves into-the bondage of a Socialist State. “The philosophy of our opponents is utterly foreign to our British character,” Mr Hamilton continued. “ I would be willing to fight to the last ditch to preserve the democratic system under which New Zealand has grown to nationhood, but in the stealthy growth of Socialism, with its denial of individual rights and its provision of opiates for those who do not care to think for themselves.’ I see democracy menaced on every hand. I myself have made no meteoric rise to riches or to eminence, but I have had a vision of the future no less bright than that of my Labour friends, and have strived toward it by my own efforts. “As little as my success may have been, I am determined that the young men and women of to-day, the boys and girls who are still at school, and the children as yet unborn will have the same opportunities that I enjoyed to stand on their own feet, to look life in the face and to receive a full reward for the efforts which they put forth for themselves and their families. “ Life of the Herd ” “That is my.philosophy,” Mr Hamilton said, “ and it is the philosophy of the National Party. Socialism, which is the goal of Ihe Labour Party in New Zealand, would have us return to the life of the cave-dwellers. In place of individuality and personal freedom —in place of the rights of man to the fruits of his own labour—the Socialists seek to restore the life of the herd. Everyone will live the same life; everyone will work for the State and receive only what the State chooses to give in return. “No New Zealander can accept that doctrine. The tradesman of to-day looks forward to being the master craftsman of to-morrow. The father of to-day wants to be sure that during his lifetime he can make provision for the future of his children. An Abiding Faith “We of the National Party have an abiding faith in the future of our own country. History shows us that the virtues of self-reliance, determination, industry, and thrift have raised New Zealand to-day to a position unequalled by any country in the world. The Labour Party asks us to throw away those virtues and to lean like weaklings on an all-powerful State. New Zealanders are not weaklings. We know they will show the world that they are still ‘prepared to stand on their own feet. “Somebody has said that the po’icy of the National Party is a return to sanity,” Mr Hamilton concluded. “ I honestly believe that that is so. Let the people of New Zealand demonstrate their own sanity and with it their faith in the future.”