YEAR IN OFFICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 281, 27 November 1936, Page 6

YEAR IN OFFICE

MR. SAVAGE’S REVIEW > WHAT LABOUR HAS DONE 1 Per Freas Association. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. In a statement to-day, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage says that the anniversary of Labour's election to office provides the most fitting opportunity to make a survey of the progress and indicate the lines of further advance. During the election campaign, it was made clear that the immediate objective of the party, if elected, would be the restoration of fair and reasonable standards of living, and it had been the consistent aim of the Government through legislation to improve the lot of the people on the lower income levels. -Mr. Savage said that for the time being the limit of social reform was set by the taxable capacity of the country, but this was far from the objective of Labour, for the future policy involved far-sighted planning and the direction of the economic activity of the State, and it was io this end that they worked. Already, as the result of the legislative measures of the first session, solid foundaHons had been laid for the fulfilment of Labour's long-term objectives. Reviewing what had been done, Mr. Savage stresses that the guiding principle of the Government is social justice. It is its aim that the economic organisation shall be adapted to social needs, and if any of the institutions of the Dominion fail in this respect they must be changed. A big start had already been made towards removing some of these • fundamental defects. In this regard, he cited what had been done for the dairy farming industry in guaranteed prices, and said that further steps were being taken towards putting production and the marketing system in order, and the Minister of Marketing was at present in London endeavouring to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement. Under the Mortgagors’ and Lessees’ Rehabilitation Act, it would be possible to make considerable progress towards a satisfactory solution of the old problem of mortgage indebtedness. He also mentioned the reorganisation of the Mortgage Corporation and housing loans. With regard to the manufacturing industries, he said that the policy had been directed towards preventing ex- a ploitation of the public and to prevent wherever possible, economic waste. It was intended to take effective measures towards the preventing of such well-known economic abuses as those connected with land speculation and an excessively high cost land, and also faulty investment methods. He claimed that considerable progress had been made towards raising the material standards of the people. Practically the whole body of industrial law had been overhauled and amended. Compulsory arbitration had been restored and the 40-hour and five-day week had been instituted. Pensions had been increased and invalid pensions provided. Wages had been restored and purchasing power increased. With the marked return to business prosperity there was ample evidence that the country could afford the higher standards ot living which lhe welfare and happiness of the people demanded. Next, year it was intended to put into operation such further schemes as national superannuation, national health insurance, and a complete overhaul ot the educational system. He paid a tribute to his colleagues in the Ministry and in both Houses. They had worked splendidly as a team, and had not spared themselves . in their efforts to serve the public in- -A, terest. Not Easy to Generalise "It is not easy to generalise concerning the legislation passed by the Government during the first session," Mr Savage stated. “Since finance is the key to the whole problem of administration one of our first acts was to place the Reserve Bank under State ownership, thus giving the Government complete control of the currency and credit mechanism, and making it possible to increase production. Having taken this step we are in a position to formulate a financial policy which will serve the social and industrial structure of the country. After all, economic and social welfare go together, and in exercising control over the monetary policy and in regulating and co-ordinat-ing production, it will be the aim of the Labour Government to achieve such a measure of economic reconstruction that the people of the Dominion will enjoy a standard of social well-being that will make them the envy of the world." j After referring to social conditions, |Mr Savage said: "I know of no better way of fairly distributing the national 'income than by the provision of necessary social services, and the \ [ aim of the Government will always h e riirecl "d !..".'. ;.rds achieving this result. t 'Io not expert wo can achieve this end at once It. will take time. IWe will, no doubt, make mistakes, but those ".ill ho rectified as soon as ’they become evident. I give my word I that we will remain true to our prinIciples and keep faith with the