LABOUR PARTY
CAMPAIGN OPENED BY MR. FRASER DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION (P.A.) Wellington, Aug. 31. The Labour Government’s record in nearly eight years of office was the theme of an address given last night by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, when opening the Labour election campaign before a packed house in the St. John Ambulance Hall, Wellington. Mr. Fraser spoke for two hours and announced that Labour’s policy would be made public in the next few days.
There was a certain amount of opposition and interjection, but only a dozen hands were raised in opposition to a motion of confidence in Mr. Fraser and the Government, carried by an overwhelming majority at the conclusion. Mr. Fraser received a voiciferous welcome as he entered the hall, accompanied by the chairman, Mr. J. O. Johnson. Benefits Claimed.
Mr. Fraser said that after eight yeai' of Labour administration he could make the claim that no Government had conferred greater benefits on the people or had better interpreted the mind and heart of democracy in peace and in war than had the Labour Government. He asked the people for a vote of confidence and approval of the Government’s direction of the war effort and a vote of confidence and approval to go on prosecuting the war to the utmost, for that was the most vital task of all till victory was achieved.
The question of the need for a general election had been raised, Mr. Fraser said. It was true that an effort had been made toward political unity. He had striven hard for such an agreement, and organisations had been set up, leading finally to the War Cabinet. He had received letters from Mr. W. J. Polson and Mr. W. A. Bodkin, both Opposition members, on the splendid spirit of comradeship and help prevailing, but all this effort towards unity had foundered on what a British newsaper Tiad described as a “trivia] matter”—the stoppage of work in the coalfield at Waikato. The Government had held that compromise was the only course to adopt. Agreement was expressed on this principle by the Opposition members of the War Cabinet, except the Leader of the Opposition, and subsequently he was followed by some of his colleagues. Efforts at political unity had thus failed, but in the Waikato coalfields as a result of the decision of the Government to take over control for the duration of the war, a practice adopted in other countries, production had increased. From his manifesto statement the Leader of the Opposition was in favour of a National Government, but how could such be achieved if democratic principle of majority rule was not accepted. By being the only dissentient in thn War Cabinet decision over th? Waikato strike and by subsequently withdrawing, Mr. Holland had clearly demonstrated the impracticability of a National Government.
Administration of Government. Mr. Fraser said it was essential for him to review the administration of the Government since it assumed power in 1935, because the Government’s policy was inextricably bound up with administration, and that policy would continue to be followed. He did not accuse the National Party of causing the slump, but. he did accuse them of failing to protect the people in a time of despair and financial difficulty. Reduced wages and pensions aggravated the position.
The Labour Government came into power with 60,000 unemployed in the country. When war broke out, four years later, unemployment had practically been abolished, developmental public works were started and carried out on an unprecedented scale till the outbreak of war, primary production had been stimulated, manufacturing industries had been expanded, educational reforms had been introduced, and the people had been given the best social security scheme in the world. To carry out its policy Labour had to take control of currency. In spite of what its opponents said, the Government had complete control of currency. said Mr. Fraser. Its Budgets had all shown a surplus, and overseas debts incurred for civil purposes had been reduced. It was true that the internal debt had been increased, but there had never been a wider basis for doing so, and the third liberty loan, which was an outstanding success, was money owed by th? people to themselves. Social Security. “Now I come to one of the most important matters as far as New Zealand is concerned—social security,” said Mr. Fraser. He referred to the tribute paid by Mrs. Roosevelt that “you in New Zealand have built up a social security scheme under which abject poverty is practically impossible. We are trying to do the same in our country.” Even the National Party, after years of opposition, now said it would not interfere with it.
The Labour Party’s housing programme, which was regarded as of vital importance, provided for the erection of 3000 houses this year, continued Mr. Fraser. It would be stepped up as more labour and material became available.
The Prime Minister devoted some time to defending the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Bill as absolutely necessary to prevent inflation of land values. Had the Government left Parliament without placing on the Statute Book an Act that would prevent what had happened during the last war, then it deserved to be defeated overwhelmingly, he declared.
The provision of adequate recreation grounds was an objective the party was determined to achieve, said Mr. Fraser. He hoped when the time was opportune that there would be a Minister and a department devoted to this objective, the purpose of which was to cater for the. people’s leisure and to further their health.
“Labour will continue its policy. In fact I cannot see much to quarrel with in Mr. Holland’s announced policy because he has simply gained education by studying ours and has gone to a great distance in social security and other things,” said Mr. Fraser, amid laughter. “Stealing old clothes is a well-known political game, but som? of them do not exactly fit. You can also have a change of clothes, but no ehage of heart.” Mr. f'raser stressed that in the coming campaign the fignt was against the National Party. The others did not matter. They had been overwhelmed in Australia, but the National Party neecea a change of heart and needed to impress the public of its sincerity, for they could never get away from the conception that a few privileged people should dominate and sun the country.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 6
Word Count
1,069LABOUR PARTY Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 6
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