CALL TO ELECTORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19743, 23 September 1938, Page 12

CALL TO ELECTORS

LEADER OF LABOUR ADDRESS IN CAPITAL DEFENCE OF LEGISLATION AIMS FOR THE FUTURE ANSWERS TO OPPONENTS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Town Hall at Wellington was packed and many people were standing when the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, M, J. Savage, last night explained the Labour Party's policy. Mr. Savage was greeted with prolonged cheering and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, who presided, said the dominant feeling was one of pleasure to see the Prime Minister looking fit and well. Mr. Savage referred to the rumours that he had promised the Independent candidate for the Bay of Islands that no Labour candidate would stand against him. "I have never madi> any such promise," he declared. Similar stories had come from Kaipara. Those who wished to help the Government must in each case vote for the selected Labour candidate, Mr. Savage said. The Prime Minister began his address by stating that his purpose was to show in simple words and with plain facts that the Government had done its job of mending a broken country thoroughly and well, and that it was determined to go on with the good work for the people. "Let us contrast the standard of living and progress to-day with what the Nationalists imposed on the people during the five years of depression," he said. "The position before Labour came into office was disgraceful and intolerable in a country with rich resources. Nothing mattered then except cutting down costs. The Nationalists had not changed. Again they were pledged to their masters to cut costs. They were unable to believe in the success of new ideas and new methods. The Nationalists were going up and down the country stating that the battle was between socialism and private enterprise, whereas the battle was actually between stupidity and plain commonsense. Control of Credit Mr. Savage declared that the Government had begun in the fundamental defects of the financial system by taking over the Reserve Bank. The people gained control of the _public credit. The Government had also taken over the principal mortgage agency, the State Advances Corpora' tion. In the economic system, its principal efforts had been directed toward assisting the farming industries by guaranteed prices, orderly marketing, and mortgage adjustments. The Government were not out to steal the farmers' land. "Our job is to put people on the land and to keep them there," Mr. Savage said. The Government had done more to increase the equity of the farmer in the last three years than the Nationalists would do if they were in power 103 years. Thousands of farm mortgages had been adjusted and £4,000,000 had been written off under the Government's mortgage relief legislation. Last year the sum of £1,500,000 was voted for the improvement of country roads. Wage-earners had no illusions about who raised their wages, improved their working conditions, and gave them the 40-hour week. Cannot Stand Still "We cannot stand still. We must go on or go back. Which way shall we go?" asked Mr. Savage. Voices: "Go on." Mr. Savage: That will do me. Everyone should know which way to vote when it came to a question of whether wages in the aggregate should be £66,000,000 or £100,000,000 a year. Mr. Savage said it had been said that the Government was out to destroy religion. If the old people got 30s a week, that would not be destroying religion. It would be bringing the Kingdom of God on earth. It had also been said that the Government was hurrying on the election to get it over before the Prime Minister passed away. (Laughter.) Mr. Savage added that if he could see the reactionary forces in New Zealand smashed, he would be ready to die. His intention in regard to the use of radio was not to use it to defend himself, but to defend the honour and credit of the Dominion. "I will look after myself without the broadcasting service," he said. "Another little darling and the furniture will be ours," said Mr. Savage, referring to the National Party's plan for loans to newly-married couples. "You cannot buy furniture cheaper than that," ho added amid laughter. Social Security Bill Why was it that the National Party in the House of Representatives did not oppose the Social Security Bill, asked Mr. Savage. They said there were things in it they wanted, but now they said they would not allow it to operate. They could not have ;t both ways. Referring to charges that boys and girls were to be taxed under the scheme, Mr. Savage said there was no insurance company on earth that could give the same benefits. He denied that if boys and girls could not pay, their parents would be called on. , Mr Savage claimed that the Labour Government had been the first Government to carry out a successful housing policy. It had called tenders for more than 5300 houses m 7o towns. The Nationalists aimed at a private building programme at the rate of 5000 houses a year. Labour was already exceeding that number. The clear objective of the Labour Party was to make money the servant instead of allowing it to remain the master of mankind, said Mr. Savage dealing with credit and currency. It was just as necessary for the nat.on to be the sole authority for the issue and control of money as to be the sole authority for the organisation and control of the army and the navy. "You will be told, as in the past, that the people's savings are in peril,

LEAFLET NOT SECRET TIMARU EXPLANATION ANSWER TO CANDIDATE (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, this day. .Addressing an Election meeting last night Mr. Clyde Carr, the Labour candidate for Timaru, produced a leaflet which, he asserted, was to be issued by the National Party to members of friendly societies on the eve of the election when there would be no opportunity to counter the misrepresentations contained. Mr. Carr devoted most of his address to reading a Labour pamphlet explaining the social security scheme. A statement made later by the president of the Timaru branch of the National Party was that there was no secrecy about the leaflets, 800 having been posted this morning lo friendly society members and the balance would be posted to-day. Mr. Carr also said during his ad- . dress that at a meeting of Timaru shareholders of the Whakatane Paper Mills (Company, a statement was made that if the Labour Party were returned, it would not be long before they took over all industries without compensation. This the speaker denied, stating that no Government had been fairer to industry in the way of compensation than Labour. but you may accept my pledge that the people's savings will be safely invested and public credit will be intelligently used, when necessary, for the creation of assets for the people," the speaker continued. "Do not be worried by scaremongers. lam not going to pledge myself to you without knowing what I am talking about. Closer Settlement "I know the Government. I am working with. I will be able to meet you in the days to come and look you square in the eye." Farming was New Zealand's major industry, Mr. Savage continued. The Labour Party intended to pursue a policy of closer settlement. The purchase of estates which were capable of carrying a larger population would be embarked upon under a planned system, the State providing the full measure of finance for building, stocking and equipping the farms in order to enable farmers' sons and other capable men with farming experience, but without sufficient capital, to become efficient farmers. Every car*- would be taken in purchasing estates for closer settlement to avoid the mistakes of the past through paying too high a price for the iand, or cutting it up into uneconomic farms. The Government intended to extend the guaranteed price procedure to provide an income to farmers measured by New Zealand living standards and in accordance with the services rendered. The claim that the Labour Government had done more for defence than any of its predecessors was made by Mr. Savage. It had achieved greater co-ordination than ever before, he said, and he gave an assurance that everything that could be clone was being done and the expenditure was three times as great as in 1935. Issue at Elections "The National Party has chosen to represent the issue at this election as a death struggle between private enterprise and socialism," Mr. Savage said. "That is pure rubbish. It is a contest between doing things and sitting down waiting for things to turn up." The Opposition policy, continued Mr. Savage, was remarkable both for what it omitted and for what it staled. The Labour Government was creating a new social order with higher standards of living and a greater measure of happiness and prosperity to the average man and woman. As a democratic party, it was asking for an emphatic and popular mandate to translate that faith into reality. The leader of the National Party was seeking to divide the country on two main issues, social security and guaranteed prices. "I accept that challenge now," Mr. Savage said. "We will fight it on that. If the people do not want the social security proposals, they will have to get rid of me and the Government. These proposals are going into operation. "I am not threatening anybody. You can depend on me to carry out the pledges I am making to you in the name of Labour." Guaranteed Price The National Party said it would pay the guaranteed price for the present season. Then the system would end. The Nationalists said they were going to give back the ownership of produce to the producer. Mr. Savage said he had yet to learn that the producer did not own his produce. The Government, in effect, only bought it from him when it reached the ship's side. Mr. Hamilton was asking the dairy farmer to exchange the substance for the shadow, but after all there was only one point at issue, the price. The dairy farmer knew well enough where he stood, Mr. Savage said, and all'he asked was that the farmer should compare his position before and after the guaranteed price, schpme came into operation. "Again may I assure you that I do not take my promises to you lightly." said Mr. Savage. "I know the meaning of the words quite well. I want to be able to spend the remainder of my days in your service. I will do that 100, with God's help, and with yours. (Applause.) "I do not want anything but your goodwill." concluded Mr. Savage. "If I can get the goodwill of the people of this country, I will go clown to the grave satisfied." Motion of Confidence The following motion was carried unanimously. "This mass meeting of Wellington citizens thanks the Prime Minister for his masterly and inspiring review of the political situation in New Zealand and his explanation of the Labour Party's election policy and hereby records sincere appreciation of the splendid work that he and his Cabinet colleagues and the Parliamentary Labour Party have accomplished i:i three short years in transforming the economic, industrial and social life of the people. We are proud of the work they have done and look forward, with confidence, to a continuation of the splendid achievements after election day. Furthermore, we express complete confidence in the Prime Minister and the Labour Government and pledge ourselves to work untiringly for their return on October 15."

Prolonged applause and cheering followed. Mr. Savage throughout had an enthusiastic reception.