THE GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23830, 9 June 1939, Page 15

THE GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

TO THE EDITOR Sir—Referring to the reports of the speeches recently made by Messrs Hamilton, Mulholland and Michelle, I, as a worker, have come to the conclusion that the working people of New Zealand need not be in the least concerned or alarmed at reports regarding the possibility of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union forming a Farmers’ Party to assist the Nationalists at the next general election, their objective being the defeat of Labour, One has only to read the reports to be convinced that it will need a mighty swing of the political pendulum to put Labour out of office in New Zealand. So far, there is not the least evidence of any desire on the part of the workers and the people as a whole that they wish to go back to the conditions of the period 1930-1935. Labour holds nearly 60 seats in the House of Representatives, and about a two-to-one majority over all parties and also enjoys the full confidence of 56 per cent, of the voters; and it is the general belief that were an election held at the present week-end the popularity of the present humane and understanding Government would send them back with a still greater majority. It is no exaggeration to say that the people of New Zealand do not dread another slump such as prevailed prior to Labour being returned. The present Government can be depended upon to watch that the people will not be fooled, ruled and robbed from cradle to the grave, and the workers and all other sensible people can be depended upon to see that Labour will continue to represent them When Labour look office in 1935 its critics declared that New Zealand would soon be ruined. They said that the banks would crash and that the people would lose their homes and that capital would leave the country. As a matter of plain fact, the majority of the workers did not have homes to lose, and those who did were compelled to endeavour to raise money on them because under dole conditions they were not allowed to work if they owned, or partly owned a home. To-day nearly all the people realise that Labour has made good and are not likely to be displaced either in 1941 or 1944. They have proved themselves quite capable to handle all social and industrial problems with which the country was faced, and the people’s vote will very clearly indicate that they have no further use, or‘interest in. Nationalists, Democrats, or any other form of antiLabour. The vast majority of the workers, farmers and farm workers are solidly behind Mr Savage and his Cabinet, who have done all that was humanly possible in the short time that they have been in power to give improved conditions to farmers and farm workers. In conclusion. Sir, I would iust like to quote the following proverb to all opponents of Labour: Let thine own business engage thy attention; leave the care of the State to the Governors thereof.” —I am, etc., Dunedin, June 7. .Anti-jingo. [Abridged.—Ed., O.D.T.]