“FROM HELL TO PARADISE”

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 6

“FROM HELL TO PARADISE”

Work Of The Labour Government CLAIMS OF INCREASED PROSPERITY What the Labour Government had accomplished since it assumed power and what it hoped to accomplish m the future were described by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webo) in a public address at Nightcaps last evening. He emphasized what the Government was doing for the working classes particularly and the public generally, and claimed that within two years Labour had “changed an industrial hell into a comparative paradise An attendance of nearly 400 gave Mr Webb a cordial hearing and at the close of his address a vote of confidence in the Labour Government was carried unanimously. Mr W. Excell was chairman. Mr Webb was introduced by the chairman, who said that although he was opposed politically to the M in “ ister he admired the manner in which Mr Webb and his fellow Ministers “got things done.” “We are living in a rapidly changing world,” said Mr Webb, “and to meet the changed and changing industrial outlook we must adapt our outlook accordingly. The Labour Government is essentially a progressive Government, and where the Seddon Government stood 40 years ago the Labour Government stands today. Before the last election it was said that if the Labour Party was returned to power the foundations of the financial institutions would be shattered —that is, if there was interference with the Reserve Bank. The Labour Government, however, thought that it could be done—that it could make the Reserve Bank the property of the people.” HOUSING SCHEME Mr Webb discussed the Government housing scheme. Today houses were being built in more than 40 places throughout New Zealand, he said. Opponents of Labour might say that the houses were too expensive, but it was the opinion of the Government that the workers should have the best of homes. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) had told the Cabinet that the houses should be good enough for a Cabinet Minister to live in and they were. The money , for the houses had come from the Reserve Bank, which had also paid the dairy farmers for their produce.

The average rate of pay on public works today was £1 a day, in contrast to the days when many were receiving 10/- a week, Mr Webb continued. The living conditions in the camps were also better, and in spite of this, and the 40-hour week, the work was being done more quickly. Under the former Government the conditions of the working classes of the Dominion were very bad indeed. There were cases on the West Coast, when the former Government was in power, where miners had not enough to keep body and soul together. Under the old order of things, youth was denied its opportunity to work. Today all that was changed. The Government was anxious to keep children longer at school, but if they wished to leave factory doors were open to them. BENEFITS FOR AGED AND INFIRM Old-age pensioners and cripples, too, had benefited by Labour’s legislation. The former Government had said there was no money to do these things, but the Labour Government had found the money. The pensioners were getting the money, the food, the clothes and the shelter they deserved. Surely it was not a crime for the Labour Government to have made provision for invalids, so giving peace and security to suffering people? Discussing the guaranteed price for dairy produce, Mr Webb, said that most of the dairy farmers of the country knew that the system adopted was the fairest and most equitable they had ever worked under. “It is just taking it out of private speculators’ pockets and putting the industry on a sound business footing,” he said. The Opposition would not openly advocate the repeal of the legislation it was denouncing Labour for passing. Workers had gained more in two years under the Labour Government than they had under any other Government. Miners were enjoying greater benefits and would enjoy still more. This was being done in the face of cries that the country was being driven to ruination. New Zealand had never been more prosperous than it was today and work had never been done so well. Mr Webb said that the farming community was enjoying life more' than ever before. Some of the politicallyminded farmers might decry the work the Government was doing for them, but it was to be noticed that they were not hesitating to scrap their old cars and put new ones on the road. Busi-

ness men, both big and small, had also benefited from Labour legislation and were now “breathing the cool air of freedom after the confinement and despair of the depression years.” Within two years the Government had “converted an industrial Hell into a comparative paradise in comparison.” TAXATION IN DOMINION There were cries about the income tax going up, but how many of those who were paying the taxes were not better off today than they were before the Labour Government came into power? In any case, the person handing over the big cheque for income tax must be in very comfortable circumstances.

There were approximately 23,000 men on public works throughout the country. The Eglinton Valley and Homer tunnel roads were, at the time, probably luxury routes, but in the future they would become of great importance. Surely it was better that those without jobs should be given work to do, than that they should go on sustenance? Sustenance, for the ablebodied man, was the worst form of relief. It humiliated men to take sustenance. .

The Old Age Pensions Bill, which would give comfort, peace and economic security to the old people who had done so much for the younger generation today, was being worked upon at present. It was probably while working on this Bill that Mr Savage had broken down in health, for the Prime Minister was always at his desk. He thought always of the people of New Zealand. Mr Webb also praised the work and personal character of the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash). The speaker made a strong plea for the coal companies and miners to work in closer co-operation and so maintain the output. If the output was not maintained he would not hesitete to import coal from foreign countries. “We are a Government giving expression to every liberal impulse that beats in this country,” Mr Webb co. • eluded. “We believe we are the pilot light to a higher civilization, and we know that our legislation is an inspiration to the democracy of the world. When we came before the electors, we will come with a clean mind, knowing we have tried to give free expression to the democratic aspirations of the people of this country. Without egotism, I can say that no Government, past or present, in any part of the world, has accomplished anything like what we have accomplished in God’s own country. I believe the Labour Government will go back at the next election with an increased majority, not because of our words, but because of our deeds.”

Mr L. S. Edmonds then moved the following resolution: “That this meeting expresses its confidence in the Cabinet and the Labour Government and the Minister of Mines, with hopes for the future success of the Labour Government.” The motion was carried by acclamation.