ECONOMIC STATE OF DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 23287, 25 August 1937, Page 4

ECONOMIC STATE OF DOMINION

GOVERNMENT CLAIMS CREDIT RESULT OF LEGISLATION i “If we examine by every possible test the economic situation of this country today every one of these tests indicates that the prosperous position which New Zealand is in at the present; time is predominantly a result of the Labour Governments legislation, said the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. ’Sullivan) in replying to a toast, “The Nfew Zealand Labour Party, at a smoke concert given by the branch oif the party, states The Press. Mr Sullivfin was referring to the spirit of hope arid confidence in the Government whidh, he said, chcracterized all branches ofi the Labour Party throughout the Dominion. This spirit was Stiftod by > position of the country tO The total increase in the cost of living since the Government came into office was about 7J ser cent., Mr Sullivan continued, but Aagainst that increase the earnings of t»e people had risen by 15 per cent. The\ increase in the total earnings of the people of this country was £15,000,000. The present Government had been blamed for this. rise in the cost of living; blut half of that in crease could not pofeibly have been controlled by the Gifemmen .of this country, as it was duekto outside influ ences. A wonderful improvement in the economic position o£ the country had taken place as a Result of the election of a Labour Gqvernment-its achievement had been a on . There was still a lot th d° t 0 SO X® the country’s economic problems, he continued, but the Government was not going to shirk its jefe and would face the work which still had to be done. The pledges whidh had been made would be redeemed.lNext session the Government hoped to /place on the Statute Book further legislation improving the conditions of )the people; but it had to be remembered that it took time to do the job. Y^, en Zealand was compared vVith other countries abroad it was seejnjnat. it offered greater opportunities^*facilities than any other country m the world for the solution of its If these problems were not [solved m New Zealand he could not pee .much hope for solution in other countries.