LABOUR’S POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25338, 23 September 1943, Page 7

LABOUR’S POLICY

REHABILITATION PLANS ADDRESS BY MR J. S. ADAMS In a recent address to Ngapara electors, the Labour candidate for Waitaki, Mr J. S. Adams, said that if the present Government was defeated at the polls New Zealand would immediately suffer, as, with its aim to build a better nation, the Labour Administration had succeeded to a marked degree, and was still worthy of the support and confidence of the people Mr Adams said the National Party had severely criticised the Land Sales Act, on the grounds that it would endanger the right of inheritance. It had thus endeavoured to create fear by misrepresenting the Act. The Government had no intention of using the war to carry out a policy of land socialisation, and all that it wanted to do was to purchase surplus land at a fair price. These measures which had been adopted for rehabilitation would be difficult to carry out. If the farmers were not satisfied with the assessed values made by the experts appointed they could appeal to the Land Sales Court. Surplus land only was wanted, and the Government had no desire to take a farm that was a sound economical unit. The Nationalists were opposing an Act that was passed for the benefit of men who had risked their lives in defence of the country, and if they were not careful conditions somewhat similar to those after the last war might arise. Development In North Otago The candidate then dealt with several schemes which, if carried out, would be of great benefit to North Otago, including the cutting up of Hakataramea and Moeraki estates, and a huge irrigation project for the Waitaki Valley, which had been proved by survey to be practicable. An all-weather road could also be constructed through the Dansey’s Pass, and the Works Department had already been interested in this project. There were also many outlying districts of North Otago which did not enjoy the benefits of electric power. He was aware that the Power Board had done the best possible job, Mr Adams said, and it was his opinion that the Government should provide facilities for these outlying districts. Speaking of farm production, Mr Adams said that with the present output the farmers’ work was outstanding. Mr Adams referred particularly to the position of the dairy farmers, and, by giving statistics, he contended that under the previous administration the dairy industry had been doomed because the Government then in office would not advance anything to alleviate the dairy farmers’ plight. The position when the Labour Government took office was that only 50

per cent, of the fanners could meet their commitments. The guaranteed prices scheme had been instituted by Mr Savage, and from then on the industry had never looked back, Labour’s Social Security legislation alone justified its term of office, said Mr Adams. Every citizen was entitled to, and was getting, great benefits from the system. Prescriptions were being paid for, widows were being saved from poverty, invalids were being cared for, and mothers were receiving free maternity treatment Rural Education The candidate said the young people should be given the best education, both intellectually and morally. This, was a great responsibility. In country districts he favoured a more definite bias to rural education, so that pupils should be kept in close contact with the soil and be taught to . love the countryside. Special libraries, the teaching of useful crafts to boys, and thorough courses in home training for girls were advocated by the speaker. Concluding his address, Mr Adams reviewed his party’s achievements, stating that an excellent job had been done and production had been increased to a great extent. Therefore it could not be claimed that the Government had put a brake on production, or that its operations had been detrimental to the country.