LABOUR'S POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 151, 28 June 1934, Page 6

LABOUR'S POLICY

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS MR. SAVAGE AT WELLINGTON. ( Per Press Association ). WELLINGTON, June 27. In a pre-sessional address at the Town Hall to-night, to a large audience, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, referred to the work of the coming session. He expressed the hope that the Government would be prepared to make an early start with a definite plan for the further development of industry in New Zealand and the rehabilitation of all able-bodied workers in employment of first-class importance. The hit or miss methods belonged to a bygone age. When framing the new tariff schedules, Parliament should see to it that the Dominion industries were not sacrificed for the benefit of products of cheap labour and the lower standards of other nations. New Zealand woollens were amongst the best in the world, and in many other lines (Dominion manufactures would compare favourably with the best imported. In dealing with the Dominion overseas trade, Mr. Savage staied that immediate steps should be taken to enter into reciprocal agreements with the British Commonwealth for the exchange of goods for goods, absolutely free of duty. While New Zealand should safeguard her own industries, there could be no logical argument in favour of a tariff on goods that must be imported. Agitation for further reductions in internal costs to enable us to more successfully compete in external markets, was another way of saying that our living standards should come down to the lowest level of our competitors. The British Commonwealth of nations should lead the way in raising living standards, which would mean an expanding market within its own territories. Unless the relief workers were brought back into industry and other important works at standard rates of pay, and the wage and salary cuts were restored, there could be no expansion of either at home or abroad. Parliament should be given an early opportunity to deal with that aspect of our economic life.

Superannuation. Superannuation was another matter that would probably come forward for settlement. It was to be hoped that the Government would not attempt to unload any portion of its responsibilities on to the rank and file of the public servants. There could be no dispute about the fact that a solemn obligation rested with, each party to the sacred contract between the Crown and its servants, and it was the bounden duty of the Government to play an honourable part in that respect. A large number of public servants had already been retired on considerably less superannuation than they were entitled to under their original contract, and in the event of a period of rising prices, which was the only hope for the country to be able to meet its obligations, these retired officers would be placed at a further disadvantage. Monetary reform, which was the key to all other reforms, would no doubt be discussed when the committee which was set up by the Government had completed its report, but in view of the fact that the Prime Minister had already declared that the Government was satisfied with the present system, very little hope could be held out for any far-reaching change. The rate of exchange was still the source of a great deal of uncertainty -n the commercial world. Questions were being asked as to what the Government intended to do with its accumulated funds in London. The only reply that seemed rational at the moment was that whatever was done with them, the people must pay for the increased rateResolutions of thanks to Mr. Savage, and confidence in the Labour Party, and demanding a dissolution of Parliament not later than the end of the period for which it was elected, were carried.

“ THE MARSEILLAISE ” SUNG BY LABOUR CHOIR NATIONAL ANTHEM OMITTED [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, June 27. Before Mr Savage commenced his address at the Town Hall to-night the Labour choir on the stage sang “The Marseillaise.” The British National Anthem was not sung.