INCREASED HOURS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27232, 8 November 1949, Page 8

INCREASED HOURS

IF NATIONALISTS ARE RETURNED MR F. JONES’S CLAIMS “I am satisfied that if the National Party gets into power there will be an increase in the hours of work, but I doubt very much whether there would be any increase in wages,” declared the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, who opened his election campaign in the Coronation Hall, St. Kilda, last night. There was an attendance of about 150 persons. The chair was occupied by the Mayor of St. Kilda, Mr W. Rutherford, who said he wished to thank the Government, through Mr Jones, for the financial assistance given to the St. Kilda Band which, he said, had amounted to over £ 1000. Mr Jones, he added, had also been most helpful in obtaining the up-to-date tennis courts recently completed in the district. “The name of St. Kilda stands high throughout New Zealand and it is higher still now because of the successes achieved by our band at the recent Ballarat contest. We are proud of our band and congratulate the conductor, Mr K. G. L. Smith, young »Ken. Smith,” and al lothers concerned. “In this scientific age it is essential that we should keep abreast of latest developments,” Mr Jones said after reviewing the defence measures taken by the Government during the past three years. He explained that an Advisory Scientific Committee had been appointed to assist the Chiefs of Staff. A Defence Scientific Corps had been established and already personnel with scientific and technical knowledge had been recruited from the universities. Rehabilitation Mr Jones claimed that the Dominion was the first country to make provision for the rehabilitation of its exservicemen. Up to March 31 of this year the sum of £84,642,665 had been spent by way of grants or loans to exservicemen. The Government had housed 41,194 ex-servicemen, and of this number 10.256 had gone into State houses and 25.259 had been granted loans to build or buy their own houses. Thousands of returned men had also been given facilities for trade training. Discussing war pensions. Mr Jones detailed the substantially increased allowances that had been made by the Government, stating that a war widow with two children received £6 10s per week free of tax, plus 10s a week for each child. A war veteran and his wife now received £5 a week between them. Referring to education, Mr Jones said that the school population in the primary and secondary schools had

increased from 283,324 to 365,348 last year. “ But what is significant,” he went on, “is the fact that 87 per cent, of the children in our primary schools now go to secondary schools, compared with 57 per cent, in 1935." Dunedin, he said, had not been neglected as far as new buildings were concerned. New buildings had been provided for the intermediate schools, Training College and, the Forbury School and, in addition, extensions had been made to other schools and colleges. New schools were also under construction at Waverley and Corstorphine and plans were being prepared for intermediate schools at Dunedin East and Dunedin West. He also pointed out that the Government had co-operated with the University in accelerating building programmes, a new Medical School having been builtcand a new Dental School being planned. Broadcasting The speaker dealt at length with broadcasting, emphasising that .the Government’s plans would result in a wider coverage and greater opportunities for local talent. Every endeavour would also be made to consider the policy of bringing out overseas artists and musical companies. He paid a tribute to the “ success of our National Orchestra which was mainly due to the organising ability and conductorship of Mr Andersen Tyrer.” Several new stations had been opened and the power of many, others had been increased. YC stations at Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin would be increased to 10 k.w. and as the ZB stations would also be increased to 10 k.w. this would mean that Dunedin would have three 10 k.w. stations. A contract had been let for a recording studio in Burns Hall, and this, he claimed, “ will give local talent an opportunity to develop.” He added that a committee had been set up to keep the Government regularly advised on the development of television. ~ , , The National Party would abolish import control. Mr Jones said, but he claimed that “import control has been the means of rapidly developing our secondary industries. It has also given opportunities for our young people to learn trades, and the Government will continue to give every assistance to our secondary industries.” Import control, he said, had not damaged the Dominion’s trade with Britain, and he claimed that it had been of great assistance to our secondary industries. “Do our manufacturers or our employees desire to see the old system restored, when unemployment was rife owing to unrestricted imports glutting the market? ” he asked. Primary Production

The candidate went on to deal with the policy of the Government in relation to the primary producers. “ Prior to this Government taking office," he said, “ the Dairy Industry Commission had reported that 50 per cent, of dairy farmers were bankrupt. Under the Labour Government the farmer had been able to buy more milking machines, more tractors and use more power, and production had in consequence expanded enormously.” The farm worker also enjoyed better conditions than ever and the wages of the dairy farm worker had increased 500 per cent. There was £50,000,000 in the farmers’ pool account, and the farmer would be in a strong position to meet a depression. Referring to the housing position, Mr Jones said that during the Government’s term of office 121,000 homes had been erected, 83,608 by loan or with Government assistance. However, the Government was making increased efforts to provide houses, and it proposed making house building loans available up to 90 per c t. of cost, and in special approved cases this would be increased. The maximum loan would be £ISOO at 3J per cent., and payment would be spread over 40 years, or a lesser period if desired. In special circumstances a further sum might be lent. The interest and repayment would amount to £1 6s lid on £ISOO.

“ When you went into hospital prior to social security being introduced your greatest worry was the care of your wife and family,” Mr Jones said, in discussing social security. “ There was a further worry about meeting the hospital bills. To-day your wife receives £5 a week, with an allowance of 10s for each child, and when the patient is discharged no payment is demanded. We remember how the Nationalist Opposition fought this measure,” he added. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.