TEAM WORK THE KEYNOTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 266, 13 November 1935, Page 10

TEAM WORK THE KEYNOTE

THE GOVERNMENT DEFENDED PRIME MINISTERS VISIT TO WANGANUI PACKED MEETING AT THE REGENT THEATRE Every available seat in the Kegent TlieaQe. anil every eorncr of the room which the fire authorities would permit to be oecupied, was taxed last night by the biggest political meeting Wanganui has seen for many years, its purpose being to hear the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon, VV. Forbes, defend the actions of the Government over the hardest tour years this country has ever faer-,1. Mr*. Forbes spoke in characteristic fashion, and had to rope with an audience which was largely composed of supporters of Labour. There were occasions when the Minister drove home his |>oints with telling «lire<-tnesS and amid silence from those who were there to heckle him. On other occasions, notably when he was dealing with the subject of guaranteed prices. the Labour supporters gave voice and it was difficult to follow the trend of the speakers’ remarks from the Press tables, other than to get the gist of the statement that "there were many rainbows being offered the electors of tins country, but they were only rainbow* after all.” Mr. Forbes told hrs audience plainly that New Zealand, faced with the greatest economic crisis in its history. had looked to the Governin' lit to put right, and the Government had not shirked its duty. There were unpopular things to do That was always the ease ‘ hen a country was up against falling revenue and slump conditions, and when the demand lor teamwork came there were men w ho walked out on the Government and preferred to take the easy road and do the criticising while the Government carried on and did its duty. The Mayor ( Mr. VV. .1, Kogers) presided, and four times appealed to the audience to give the speaker a fair hearing. ♦»n the platform, together with Mr. and Mrs. Forbes and th'* Mayor, were Mr. N. R. Kain, National candidate for Wanganui. Miss K. Hatrick, w ho appeared in place of Mis. Bain, who is in Christchurch attending the annual conference of the Victoria League, and Mr. F. -K. Turnbull, president of the Wanganui branch of the National Political Federation. .Mr. Bain moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Forbes at the conclusion of his address and. in doing so. said that he was just as much a Liberal to-day as he was when he first i-nt-red Parliament 27 years ago. "He has been loyal to his principles, loyal to party, and what counts infinitely more, loyal to his country in a time of difficultv.’’ said Mr. Bain.

* *lt gi»it»e sincere pleasure l«» pre.-ide over ibis meeting ami to extend a welcome to thi Prime Minister, the] Kt. Hou. G. W. Forbes, to this ritv. and to Mrs. Forbes,’* said the Mayor, in introducing the speaker. ’’Wanganui has nevet let me down yet. and if »* not going tu !»*t me down to-night, because you will all agree with uie , that there are two sides to every que.->- I non, and we have not i ear bed (he I Mage described by an Irish Justice of • the Peace «bo told the Court that I there was no necessity to hear more than one side. 1 would therefore be- ’ 'peak for Mr. Forbes a patient and courteous hearing,” Mr. Kogers askfd. I The Government a rd It's Duty. Mr. Forbes >aid trial he was pleased i Io lo* afforded the opportunity ct rum- | >”g to Wanganui to say something un i the Government’* side. The electors I had heard, and he had read in the 1 papers, of what the opponents of the | G*>* errmrent were saying, so it v.a- I only fair that he should «ome along 1 and put the Government’s side. Head- . ing from the newspapers he could only j assume that the opponents of the Go» - . rrnment had been «rsing a brush ’ when they weie on the job. His view i point was, and H was the view oi I p'erv sane prison, that when a « otiDlr* fared difficulty, as thi« country had Tone during the past few years, it was . the duty of the Government t«> put ’ I ings igbl, and not shirk I hat dut'. | Th a: wa< what the Government set out l-» do. It had not shirked it* dm--. It bad not had time to go round the ‘ rouolry and address the people. It had j i»*tr that to its opponent.-. No.v it was i the Government’s turn to rorue into the various ronslituencies and tell the ’ re»»r ie what it had done and why. i the speaker described (he rapid fall ; :i revenue which had brought about a ’ . i..onal emergency. He realised, and >o uid everv member of the Govern- ■ '■ rn reali-c, that unpopular thing* ’ v*..s to make its revenue and expend!- , t-.•■ ba lam »•_ The first thing the Gov- ? » ?.ir nt did was to see where it could t r.dute expenditure and it reduced sal- ‘ fries of its own staff 10 per rent, beginning with that "i the Prin •• m s Prolonged ironical kughter, fol Mr. i vrbe- I \an see that tha « ut. k Mote’ k.ughtr.-., that nJ on, of the • • \ie were ia««d with a vciy >er« | ous pusilivu a*'d were top cd to make uiastir reduction in public «Np,n,i tu * . ■ Mr. 1- " . ■ - lugelber I’arlMuwut a-d t le-.-;a(i..*a t.a.- pul liiroJgh. Au •: .* session. The Treasury iuiormei me tu.’U ilie deiiv.L 13JJ0U.WW had increases hi Xo.'.’VtUHHj and when liir opened it wa s X5,U<l».hW. W v eou.d not shirk doing l-ae tiling* that were i.ce»3«tr v to place the •■c-uiilrv back jn a sounder h-ian* tai posit ion. When the stair <»i atiair.* u.»s marie rl.-ar 1 f ‘,l that wv rvrpnit d the ro O|»eiali“ii •»l everv section of the vouimun-ty and every party in l-.c Hvu-r. I a i - igetiier a comnuitee wUsiMing ot pivsentali'***s oi the Kriorm aud l.ab <»ur Parlies aud the L’nited Party ot w.iirb 1 was then t’.ime Minister. A voice: And 1 e vvijvws and • opban*, 100. W- railed together represent a; iv r* of the fanners, business peupi-e and the workers and when each represent;! rive had piezttiled his -it’** we realised fully (he seiious plight the Dominion tv as in. 1 said tuat position was one wliioh required the co-operation of ail and ex pi a i nod that it was a job that rould <»nlv be met by a National Govt rnment. T he Labour Parly inquired , what tbe policy was going to be and when were in formed that it would ' Ef to «b i with current prices they re-j

fused to join up uliii u*. Tio n J . a-ked M.. Ccoit s. Loud laughter.) i He said this is nut a time to have differences of politi's. If we do not set an example to the people we will n..( be doing cur duly.’ The Coalition Government. II lie • oaiiiic.i Government was 4vi.neo. ’’ said .Mi. irvrbe*. ’’beveia! ucasuics vvvie inlioduced and men we I went to tue electors and said Itiat wc i •'•"i i o poipy but would du the things I that would have to be dune tu restu*e : My. j j l( > electors rallied aruund us and rc.uiuvd the Luaiitluu Guvera- | tuent with a suusiunt: ii majoniy. J ~uve been t uarged v.itli deseiting irOm I .n, part, io «-=i.-u I belonged. J . .Mumiam that L d.d tlie tiling lna L wa» I torr, , t and 1 maintain that the true I spiiit oi l.ii’cialiMii was s. rved by i p-i'cii»g the interest of (ne country and lue p.--•pie beiuie inyseli. 1 have been I a Ln-..,.! ail my hie and 1 still am. t u. <dd Libcial.s p aced the interests | oi • ..* «< uniiy n -i. It; my own elec iciait 1 0n.,, addressed one meeting I I prior to «he clectioii and 1 was k- I I mined . me i«iige*l majoniy oi any • member ja ratliameat. Aly cuustiiu- • eio-y eiidor-.-.i actions and 1 am .-ute mat liiey uad the approval oi • ••.ci;- .-• ■ i - • -f the w.iule country. "Some FoLowers Deserted.” ' **\\ucn fie were returned tu powei ...--c..: i uupuputarily. A ceriaiu •tuuiuer <*i our followers deseited us when me piessure «an.e, but mere arc I always mei. who aie ieady tu shitk Hieu duty v,aeu it become ne< essaiy t" ' i -ijiui..- ui.pi'pulai icg’.-latiuii. i am I pleased witu lue conuuct of the men ■ sCJod by Guvern.iicut through 1 in-k and tnju and assisted us to improve tiie ailairs ui tue Dominion, ffc • , i; .d to make aheratic-ns in the salaries oi Hie pu.d;' serYatils. We • uani.’.i ri.cm tu fc'l mat we would do ■ pi-tice to mi iu and we promised them i. l their i-’iiii. ip.ns \.<»uld i»e restored vvh<n better limes came. f A vuice; W aen is that'? not her \oi- e; When the election “Hr tt i I that will'll the lime < i.e we wvul-i tie pleased to make as .*■■'> i. ’ I. .Ugul. . ’’Kctenilv vf made a restoraiio.i ol per ’Ci'i i.i me salaries vf public m .nt*, hiinging the tuial amount of ■ ue re-.ti.-rati ><i up to 71 pet cent. This nep enable-; tu do on account of i h.* -uiplus of tl.ii’lt’.OdO in I he Budget, v ■: Where did you get the I ” it.- ouldi. -er'ite cannot >ay that vve tailed to k*'. p vui pruniisi. The Exchange Kate. ■' B. . he v.\< hange rate was m • tierscd the vv iivie maiicr was invesli- ■ gated •- a > ou-mith e o. crouumisis f I p«>sitn>n the cvunliy .i-’U'iy beio,e Imiitre i....timed I’ai .iaim ni that (he national income mid fallen jr<>m !-»o.iH’o ;k»o to .*'.ni.oi<o.w*iii and info-rm ■ rd Ui. that w«• Lad gone along the way io, it -in. c. I • naigrs and that the gap | between costs and prices was a wioe lone. I'he ,oniinittee suggested that we -tioul-i hi i up liie price ie'd. iheir I le.turi . • - p(C.-enic'i to I’arHament j but no a'-lion wa- taken. We were anxdus to a-ceiiam how the 25 per ,-ent. exchange r.tv was c-peiating in Australia. Dur iainiers weie being uoiiged l«- • vaipele with this rate when I he iate in opeiation in New Zeaiand was onlv 10 per cent., and consequently we were fac.-d with strong competition from Australia. We inquired vviint was the position in Australia and now the Australian Government had f.-tind the higher rati- to operate. Their G.j. crnmeul informed us that the high

rate had proved to be very beneficial. We asked them if they would be pre pared to revert bark to par and tbe ? informed us that their farmers would not be able tu carry ou without that assistance. “Four months afterwards we asked these same economists tu reconsider iheir report, whether there had been anv improvement in conditions and il they could suggest any other means of assisting the farmers,“ sai<l Mr. Forbes. “Tbev came back to us and said that the position of the country was even wane ami that in spite of their exjrerience and study they could not make any recommendation that would bting ihe same degree of relief. Did He Break His Word? “1 have been charged with breaking my wuid. 1 will explain the facts 1° yuu and leave it tu you to judge whether I broke my word or not. A 'leputatic;i vf Wellington businessmen waived un me and inquired if there was anv truth in the rumour that the Gu*eminent intended to raise the curteiii rate of exchange. Tu these men 1 replied that the Guvernment had no such inteniions and said that it was a -{ucstivn fur the banks. If 1 had told these men that the Government proposed to raise the exchange rale tiivy would have bceu able tv make thousands of pounds out of the iuforma lion. ( Laughter.) Il was only aftci the prupv.-al had been thorougnly vesligatcd that 1 came tv tne conclusion, along with others, that it was necessarv i«i raise the exchange in the interests of ta-e country. \v e cal.ed , the bank- together atui asked mem h | tney would iai.se the exchange iate. I I he banks informed u» that from a banking point of view a higher rate v-as nut necessary; in fact il could be tedm.d. If the Government, wauled to rai.-e the rale it would be a case of Government policy and the Guv eminent would have tu take the re.-p-m---ibility for the incica.se. Me had to ia u <i ,r ieal deal of opposition and one of oui colleagues left our ranks on thi- a.count. We then went tu the bank- and asked tl-em tu raise the rate to 25 per cent, and informed them that w« would be prepare.l to buy any surplus exchange that accumulated. hen I r . plied to the Wellington deputation I had nut considered the matter. It uas only after we reevived the report of the committee uf -economists and tiie information from Australia that we realise-! that the only path that lav befoic us was to raise the vx ; . lian-c rale. What kind of a recep- , non would we have received if we had .Glowed the banks to dissuade us iiom assi.-ung the farmers? People wou.d nave said, ’Who is running the conn \ oi-ies: The banks. “The increased exchange rate enabled our lainiers I" secure a licuelit cl I'' per cent. Dairy ro.npanies ihrourhout the country were enabled to-.list-ibute an L> to 2'l thousand pounds to their suppliers in bonuses. I be mo’.iy that is uei-g P a d> ,n - x * change is going io the rehet ot the pnu-arv produ"i» and there is no, a ; etson 'i„ New Zealand wire has not benefited be the fact that the lamiers have been kept m a position in ivni.-h thev can bu-*. What do the farmers do'io. the city! (Uproar.) V vol- - : T hev briv ears. (■■onlinuing. torbes sai l lhat the t, ;v thousand pounds found by tbe .iticn aud towns by "ay ol ev.aange were helping to keep the indusii. Tbr Go-einmenCs euntributmu am"iin'«d In X 1 -J.DI-H and that was not too much for any Governme.it to v kce p its chief business gmng. •*l do net think you will hear n. tiling more about the exchange from rae 1 think I have said enougn. A If yuu had been un ymir ~ • Guid“ii 'ou would have ow a v. n noui u .’it . been all t'obt. Mr. l-i-rbcs: One thing we ha.e st-'Od loyally together. Since we have eon workin" tog-ether in the Coalition G ~,nmen"l we hine been loyal to each other, n.l-1 ■" -he e-.ur.try I must pay il tribute ro ' ■ * ; al.ir.r-t .bat we have to carry on our Reduction of Taxation. ,\(. Forbes said that the Govern- ent ‘.had been criticised for not reducing taxation, and while he admitted that tbe burden of taxation was heavy, no Laid that th.. Civil Servants had been Injured that as soon as times commal to impr* e the cuts tn salaries Mould be restored. A -nice: For how long! Continuing the speaker said (bat the Government had reducrtl rents by .0 per cent. , . ‘ A toiee: You haven't reduced mine. i Laughter .. . .Mr. Forbes: We have reduced “Another' voice: The No. h scheme. [ .Mr. Forbes; And we hare ma.le a reduction in interest m.arges. so that -although we icdueed wages, had o do [;■, «e were able to rec's..' something for those whose incomes hud thereby ! been lowered. We made a conversion lot our loan indebtedness. Against t.iat iwe have been charged with breaking eoutracts for the reason that by passmg legislation »e failed ro abide by what was there in bl: *k and white. 1 am not going to say that isn t so. W c reduced interest from 5 to 4 per cent., and local bodies’ interest io 4s, ami bv that means reduced the burden on the countrv by over £900,000. Our first duty as ’<> see that this country was kept on sound lines. Il something which L compared with a ship in a hurricane, where, even the mast might have lu be cut down tu save the ship. A voice: The wreck of the Hesperus. (Laughteii. Mi. Forbes: When we had an obligation to pay 5 per cent, and we could iolilv pav 1 per cent., "hat could we ■ toWere " - e t'.> place this .uuntry ! in the position that, when the Civil i Servants turned up for thicr pay they I could not get their cheque? t hat was ! what happened in New 'South Wales, but New Zealand has never let the ’Civil Service pass an hour without being paid. T’o show that the reduction in interest brought about by conversion improved cotiiidence, .Mr. turbos said that wlu . stock stood at 5 per cent, it was quoted at £9-S. When interest was reduced to 4 per cent, it went up to £l<H, so the holder had little to complain about there, because his capital increased as th«’ rate of interest fell. He could go on to the market and sell that stock tor more than £lOO if he didn I want to accept the lower rate of interest. “That, came about because of conlidence,” said Mr. Forbes. (Iroui cal laughter). There was more interruption at this stage and the Mayor intervened, but was subjected to a cross-fire of interjections. Finally he restored quietness. Mr. Forbes: 'i ou have heard all that the other side has to say. 1 am here

to tell you the Government’s side and you ought to hear it. It is only right we should tell you what we have done, because to say we have broken contracts is a serious charge to make. Boards and Commissions. Tbe speaker dealt with the freeing of the railways from political control, and defended the appointment of boards and commissions by pointing out that, far from being a departuie from the spirit of democracy, it gave the people a direct voice in their own affairs. When any action of a new nature was contemplated was it not right to get tbe best possible advice from those who were trained to know what that action would mean? In the case uf boards, was there anybody, for instance, who wanted to do away with Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, or Education Boards? He quoted the Dairy Board and Meat Board as being set up by those industries themselves tu market their own produce. What was there antagonistic to democracy in that? It was all very well-for people lo lightly use the phrase: “the spirit uf democi ary. ’ ’ That was easy to say ami it sounded nice. The Prime Minister told his lieaters that the whole basis of New Zealand prosperity lav with the farming community. When the farmers were in difficulties, and confidence was Jost, up went the unemployed to 49,000. (Laughter >. H Mr. Forbes also spoke of guaranteed prices, and the term was cheered to echo. He kept on speaking, but hisremarks could not be followed at the - Press tables. At the conclusion the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. Bain, but there was a sub-.-tantial volume behind the word ’’No’’ as it issued from the body of the theatre. Mr. Kogers said he did not think that anv meeting in '’’anganui w'as against according a speaker a vote of thanks, and probably those who said ”No’’ did not mean it. The meeting concluded by someone calling for cheers for “Good Old Bill Kogers. ” RECEPTION AND DANCE After the meeting last evening a reception was giveu lo the Prime Mui-. Ist er, the Kight Hon. G. W. Forbes, and Mrs. Forbes, at a dance arranged by the National Club and held al the ’ Elri- k. Tall palms and bowls of Jce- ! land poppies and scarlet rhododendrons 'made effective decorations in the panelled room. On arrival the guests ot honour were welcome ! by members of ithe committee and afterwards entertained at supper. A welcome was extended by Air. F. K. Turnbull, who introduced the Prime Minister. Musical honours were accorded him. Mr. Forbes thanked them for the hearty welcome tendered to himself ami Mrs. Forbes, also for coming to the dance to meet him. It was a pleasant change for him to attend such a function and he was glad of the opportunity of meeting people of Wanganui. He spoke of the fine reception accorded h. : m at the meeting and thanked the chairman for his help. Mr. Kogers replied, and the gather ing sang ‘‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fel low.’’ Air. N. K. Bain also spoke. Mrs. Forbes was gowned in black > romaine and carried a beautiful ■ bouquet, that had been presi-uted to her ! earlier in the evening. Dancino - was resumed to music ) played by Qus Large's Orchestra. Among those present were: —Ales dames F. K. Turnbull, wine silk crepe t romaine: P. H. Hartland, tloral crepe ninon in autumn tunings: Akers (Wellington. black romaine; J. Alillward. j black taffeta: K. At. Lloyd (Marton, black panne velvet: P. Al. Horn, Lin--1 coin green sand crepe and velvet cape, i Misses Molly Hall, magnolia romaine, • with touches of pastel shades; D. Hall, i wine-patterned floral angel skin: J. L Burnett, rose-pink lace, blue velvet I coatee: N. Williams, sapphire blue r satin and embossed cheni’le; E. Robinson, floral silk in green and pastel tunings; D. Winter, blue floral taffeta: A. Hatrick: P. Butters, powder blue ur<»andie lace; M. Stone, coral pink floral L ninon with touches of lime green: M. ’ Redpath, white novelty organdie: VinL cent, wine matalasse satin; E. Conriy--3 beer, white crepe maroeain with silver 1 girdle: T. Oliver, blue taffeta; A. Cooke, ivory lace. s Messrs. A. Stuart. M.P. fur Kangi- ' tikei. P. IE Hartland. A. S. Burgess. G. Spri rr gens. Horn. C. Young. G. Mark. : E. Lilburne. Dobbs, G. Mitchell. E. M. J Lloyd (Marton), R. Goss. W. Gilbert. ' Kaiikin. N. Collins, 1.. Bluett. K. Grace, • , t.. Hore, .f. Jackson. W. Hughes. I-. . ! gearlp ' W ’ _ Pent -