SOCIAL CREDIT MOVEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23001, 22 September 1936, Page 8

SOCIAL CREDIT MOVEMENT

Government’s Aims Sought UNEASINESS ABOUT TAXATION MINISTER IN FAVOUR OF SOCIALISM (United Press Association.) Christchurch, September 21. Demanding a declaration of the ultimate aim of the Labour Government, a deputation from the Social Credit League waited on the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) to-day. The spokesman, Mr F. Whiley, said that they felt uneasy at present, particularly about the taxation policy of the Government. They considered the introduction of a debt-free money system as the most important part of its policy. During the election campaign the use of the slogans “The Country’s Credit” and “Monetary Reform” had caused some people to think that the Labour Party would reform the ' monetary system of the country, but an orthodox system was still being used. Mr Whiley said that as a result people who had supported the Labour Party had a feeling that they had been “left in the air.”

“It would help us greatly if you would tell us what is the ultimate aim of the Labour Government,” Mr Whiley concluded. The Minister, after hearing the other speakers, said: “The object of the Labour Party is Socialism. Is it yours?” Tire deputation, in chorus, said “No.” No Change Of Views. “Then we disagree on fundamental principles,” repled Mr Armstrong. “I have believed in Socialism since I was a boy. I see no reason to change my views.” A voice: That is a long time ago. Mr Armstrong: When you’re as old as I am, and when you have had a little more experience of the world, you will believe in the philosophy of Socialism too.

Later Mr Armstrong informed the deputation that if he was a member of the Social Credit Movement, he would not be so uneasy about New Zealand as he would be about the State of Alberta.

Members of the deputation countered this suggestion by saying that it was too early to judge the results in Alberta yet. Social credit had not been fully tested.

“Nor has Socialism been fully tried in New Zealand yet,” returned Mr Armstrong. He continued by saying that the Government was moving in the direction of reform. It had taken control of the Reserve Bank and under the legislation it had power to use that institution in any way it pleased. Increased Spending Power.

“There is no more money in New Zealand to-day than there was before we took office,” said the Minister, “yet in nine months we have brought about a state of prosperity. You see it everywhere you look. The spending power of the people has been increased by about £23,000,000 and that money is changing hands every week.” Members of the deputation tried to induce the Minister to make a favourable declaration on the subject of debt free credit, but Mr Armstrong urged the deputation not to make a fetish of that idea.