PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21062, 14 June 1938, Page 12

PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR

Warm Reception in the Manawatu Political Address at Feilding By Telegraph—Press Association FEILDING, June 13. An official tour of Wellington, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay was commenced this morning by the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Hon. P. Webb. The party stopped at Pukerua Bay where they were given a warm reception by Public Works men, later visiting Otaki. Levin, Shannon and Foxton. being met at Levin by Mr C. L. Hunter M.P. At each place the Prime Minister was welcomed by large crowds whom he addressed. Arriving at Feilding late in the evening, Mr Savage was the guest of the Feilding Branch of the Labour Party at dinner, afterwards attending a civic reception in the Majestic Theatre, which was crowded. Mr T. L. Seddon, Mayor of Feilding, welcomed Mr Savage and Mr Webb on behalf of the citizens, while the Hon. J. G. Cobbe M.P. also expressed pleasure at seeing Mr Savage in Feilding in an official capacity. A welcome also was extended by Mr S. Strachan, chairman of the Pohangina County Council on behalf of the adjacent counties. Mr Savage was given an enthusiastic inception on entering the hall and also when he commenced his speech. “My main object in visiting the district and neighbouring localities is to meet the people and see for myself at close range something of the conditions of life and work and note the measure and direction of development,” said Mr Savage. “Already I can say that even one day in the country is worth any number of books, statistics and reports in giving a clear idea of the real prosperity of the rural areas and the character and energy of the men and women in the provincial districts. The people themselves provide the best evidence of the improved conditions. They are robust and undoubtedly in good temper. If one listened to the false testimony of the Government’s opponents it would almost appear that the whole country is in a. fever of revolt against Labour and its progressive policy. Nothing of the sort exists. All along the wayside pleasant receptions and generous hospitality have encouraged me to believe that the Government is not so black ag. .some people with tar brushes would ’like to colour it. But a greater delight at the outset of the tour has been seeing so many happy people everywhere. Where could you find happier children than those in New Zealand to-day? Some of ipy critics say I refer too frequently to better times and that I turn the small end of the telescope to the spots on Jit sun. People should remember the depression years and the slump dope ot the Conservative economists and administrators. Nor should it be forgotten that the Coalition Government ran truest to form in the Tory hobby of cutting wages, curtailing trade tad general business and maintaining the ancient adage ‘the poor are always with us.’ I prefer prosperity for the people as a whole all the time.” Encouragement of Production Mr Savage went on to deal with the Government’s efforts to encourage primary production and secondary in- ; dustries. The Government had no indecision on what it was going to do. It was going to encourage both. “One of the best features of settlement in New Zealand is wide distribution of the population in spite of the cry that ' people are flocking into the urban centres. Our main cities are far apart, i There is at least enough progress and promise of development in the 62 towns in which the State Housing Department is building houses for the people. In addition to promoting manufactures as well as primary industries, the Government is going forward with a policy of linking all centres of population oy good roads and transport, rail and air. Everything will be done to make life in the provincial towns just as attractive as in the cities. There is no other way to develop a young country to the best advantage for all its people. There never has been a time in the history of New Zealand when farmers got more practical encouragement from the State than they are receiving now from the Labour Government. I do not re-

fer only to the guaranteed prices of butterfat. Even if dairy farmers were foolish enough to surrender the substance for the shadow, go back to the old rafferty rules of marketing and unstable prices, or more foolish still, go blindfolded into a maze of compensatory prices, a plan which still defies definition, it would still be true that the Labour Government is doing more to encourage farming interests than was ever done by any other Government.’ Secondary Industries Mr Savage proceeded to deal with the development of secondary industries in the Dominion together with the Government’s policy of protecting industry. He claimed that there was nothing savouring of dictatorship in the Industrial Efficiency Act. and nearly all applications of the licensing provisions of the Act emanated from th? industries themselves. In no case had the bureau sought to impose licensing on any industry not desiring it. Proof of the Governments efforts was that in 1937-38 more than 1100 more factories were in operation than two years previously. "This is my answer to the critics who say that Labour has discouraged the investment of capital in New Zealand," said Mr Savage. "If any further indication is needed to show the thriving state of industry in New Zealand, it is only necessary to point out that they are achieving prosperity and at the same time paying more out in wages. For the year ended March, 1935. the total wages Bill was £26.600,000. In March this year it was £99,000.000 an increase of 50 per cent. Employers and employees are sharing in the prosperity. It seems that our idea of raising wages is good to everyone has been shown to be true by th? evidence of facts. We want higher production figures, and we want people to have the means buy the increased volume of production. “In the course of my tour I shad have something definite to say about the various phases of progress and development under the Labour Government. A recitation of the main facts should make an end to the pessimism and political predictions of another slump,” concluded Mr Savage. Mr Webb spoke briefly, thanking the audience for its reception of Mr Savage and himself. He also referred to the prosperity of the country under Labour legislation. The gathering concluded with the National Anthem. Mr Savage and party were then guests at a dance arranged by the Feilding Labour Party.