ADORESS-IN-REPLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27433, 5 July 1950, Page 6

ADORESS-IN-REPLY

Debate Opened In House Of Representatives NEW GOVERNMENT’S POUCY PA WELLINGTON, July 4. The opening of the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives tonight was marked by a return to tradition by the mover and seconder wearing evening dress. The public galleries were well filled, and each speaker was accorded the customary applause from both sides of the House on completion of what in this case were their maiden speeches. Each speaker gave a broad outline of the National Government’s policy, and each was given an attentive hearing.

Mr W. B. Tennent, moving that a respectful address be presented to his Excellency in reply to the Speech from the Throne, said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister the National Party would make a great contribution to the welfare of the country. People were anxious to know how the new Government would acquit itself and how the Opposition would fare in its new role aa critic only. There would be a sharp division of opinion on the contentious issues which were to come forward for debate, but in the general elections the verdict had gone against Socialism, which had been superseded by a Government which believed in private enterprise. Mr Tennent said he believed it was Labour’s methods of putting its ideals into practice which were responsible for its election defeat. The National Government believed .that national prosperity and greatness had been built up under the system of free enterprise. It aimed to restore confidence in the £ and to avert the threat of further nationalisation of industry. The social and economic structure had to be improved if the Government were to keep up_ to date, and in appeals for quantity production there must also be quality. " We believe in emphasis on quality in industrial processes and in the quality of individual citizens, and it is our intention to develop such qualities to the full, which can only be done in a free society,” said Mr Tennent. Sectional interests should be decided on their own merits. There was no doubt that the. responsibilities of the Government were growing, and ' the responsibilities of the individual also, but in pursuing the objective of material well-being- sight should not be lost of indivdual freedom and responsibility. Effects of Socialism Mr Tennent said that Socialism had dissipated the country’s substance, and through inflation the working man had been deprived of a proportion of the fruits of his labour. The National Government’s difficult task would be to straighten up the finances of the country, and unless that were done, the complete fulfilment of its pledges could not be realised. The basis of Government policy would be the restoration of private enterprise in primary and secondary production, thereby enabling industries to develop unhampered by State or other interference. This country could hold and increase the overall social benefits only by providing the wherewithal to pay them, and the Government would seek both to increase revenue from production and spend it thore wisely. _____ One of the greatest of the current problems was the shortage of manpower. Too many plants were unable

ceived included one from a representative of the Port Chalmers watersiders, who had telegraphed, “ Best wishes for a pleasant maiden voyage.” This message was signed “Bill—Opposition. That message, said Mr Hayman, symbolised the co-operation the Government hoped to enjoy from all sections of the community—co-operation without which there would be little hope for continuing our way of life. Mr Hayman said he would like to place on record the fact that Mr Nordmeyer “ gave marvellous personal service” to the electorate which he (Mr Hayman) now represented and that he would follow his predecessor’s example. “ Sick Of 'Strife ”

He said that the world was sick of wars, and this country was sick of strife, and often the spark of strife was lighted in the House. One of the failures of Socialism was that it' was built on a .foundation of class jealousy, class distinction, sometimes class hatred and certainly on class distrust. While he admitted that there had been some real reason for

that mistrust and jealousy, the time when there was a mass of underprivileged in the country had gone. “ We must turn from mistrust if we are to save our system and our way of life,” he said. “We must move together to close the gaps in our society. We need in this country and in this Government the help and goodwill of all.” Welfare State Instituted The future of democracy depended on the Government’s ability to make the best use of human relationships. A Welfare State had been set up in the country, and the Government would do all in its power to continue it. Mr Hayman. said the Welfare State would be carried on with all its good things, “but to carry it on we will have to have a greater sense of responsibility on the part of the people who are units in our society. The Welfare State could not be carried on at the highest level without the same degree of production. The new Gov-