The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1935. LABOUR’S PLAN OF ACTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 29 November 1935, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1935. LABOUR’S PLAN OF ACTION

A o£ Labour’s immediate plan of action shows that while New Zealand’s heavy social services expenditure is to he increased to some extent immediately, Mr. Savage is approaching the thorny problems with caution. Even the civil servants’ salary euts are not to be restored on February 1 or any other date, but “as speedily as possible,” a phrase which sounds remarkably like the National Government’s “as soon as the national finances permit,” and even implies some acknowledgment that the Government has restored the euts up to the liiijit of present possibilities. The soft pedal is also being applied to the banking legislation, Air. Savage stating that he sees no immediate necessity for any move in Labour’s first session, although it “may eventually” be necessary to turn the Reserve Bank into a State institution. This contrasts rather sharply with Air. Savage’s recent policy speech at Wellington, where one of the points given great emphasis was the control by the State of currency and credit. 'The real issue,” said Air. Savage at Wellington, is “shall private banking corporations continue in control of currency and credit, or shall the State assure control? Unless the money problem is solved there is little hope of a permanent solution of the other problems facing the country.” Apparently Air. Savage is in no hurry now to tackle “the real issue.” the matter of public works, it appears that it will be the old story of the incoming Government scrapping the former Government's plans and carrying out any schemes contrary to the policy of the former Administration. This doesmot apply to the present new Government alone, but the plans now indicated once more demonstrate the futility of planning public works ahead as long as there is direct political control of the Public Works Estimates. Political interference with any plan is not merely always possible, but probable. Concerning the interests of the people. Air. Savage’s remarks are on a high, plane. He says that they will be served first and last, and nothing whatever will stand in the Labour Barty’s way. It must be conceded, however, that the same honesty of purpose actuated the present Government in its endeavours. so that, the difference between the two lies not so much in sincerity of endeavour as ability to apply definite policies, It is on this latter aspect that opinions differ, ami if at the end of three or four years, taking into consideration world conditions and the intervening application of Labour Administration and the happiness of the people, Air. Savage can show as comparatively sound a state ot affairs as is disclosed in. the country's services to-day, he will have proved his worth and that of his party. No one wishes the Labour Government ill, and it has a great opportunity to serve, for. as Air. Forbes points out. the present Government has the satisfaction of being able to hand mer the reins of Government with these distinctive points—the national finances are sound, the credit of the country was never better, prices are rising, business and industry are expanding, unemployment is falling, and future prospects are bright.