LABOUR’S POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26117, 2 April 1946, Page 6

LABOUR’S POLICY

DISUNITY IN INDUSTRY NATIONAL MEMBER’S ADDRESS “I am certain that industrial unity is the last thing the Labour Party wants, because it is more concerned with political advantage than with the national well-being,” said Mr E. Cor'bett, M.P., for Egmont, when discussing industrial relations in an address at the Caversham Methodist Hall last night. The meeting, which was held under the auspices of the National Party, was presided over by Mr D. Murdoch and drew a moderate at- “ The workers of New Zealand are as good a class of people as you will find anywhere,” Mr Corbett said. “I know, because I have been one of them. They are willing to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, but in the Labour movement to-day there are some prominent men of a militant type who have no allegiance to the political philosophy or the traditions of the British Empire. It is those men who cause disruption in industry, and the Labour Government should either get rid of them or get out and let the country be run by a party which will not be dominated from outside. Drift to Socialism “ I have never been a member of any political party other than the presem National Partysaid Mr Corbett, when explaining his own political outlook. “ I was asked to stand for the Labour Party at the 1935 election, and I must say that at that time I believed that the Labour policy was about all that was offering in New Zealand. As a member of a party which not only preaches freedom but also practises it, I can say that. The trend of politics since then, however, and especially the drift to Socialism during the war, has - led me to the very firm conviction that my place is in the ranks of those opposed to Socialism. That was the sole reason that caused me to leave my farm, which I have worked for many years, and enter the political arena.” Criticising the Government’s tax policy, Mr Corbett said that when the increase in the national taxation during the last 10 years had been pointed out during the past session of Parliament, even Mr Nash had been somewhat staggered, and when he was staggered things were getting pretty bad. “I advocate abolition of the sales tax,” he said, “ because it is a savage tax. The man with the most mouths pays the most, and that is wrong. Anyone who pays income tax at all pays at least 5s lOd in the pound in direct taxation without the many indirect taxes. Taxation can be reduced and must be reduced. There can be no expansion of industry without it. One way in which we could reduce taxation would be by pruning top-heavy Government departments. Some of our denartments render a fine service to the people, but there are many persons attached to the public service who are doing no more than drawing wages. They should be put into some productive employment where they would render service to the community.” Economic Outlook

Dealing with the economic situation, Mr Corbett said there was a shortage of labour everywhere. There were huge stocks of wool in New Zealand and at the same time there was crying need for clothing to be manufactured, especially for returned service personnel. who were trying to get back into civilian life. “But many of our industries are closed for two whole days each week. That is definitely wrong. In the slump we had an abundance of goods and no money; now we have an abundance of money and an acute shortage of goods. And this under a Government which criticised the slump conditions so much. It shows a lamentable lack of vision and statesmanship, and no Government which allows such a state of affairs to develop deserves the confidence of the country.”

Mr Corbett, who was given an uninterrupted hearing throughout, dealt with various other tonics, and at the conclusion of his address answered a number of questions. He was accorded a vote of thanks.