LABOUR’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 208, 3 September 1943, Page 6

LABOUR’S ACHIEVEMENTS

MR, FRASER AT NEW PLYMOUTH (P.A.) New Plymouth, Sept. 2. Addressing at least. 900 electors of New Plymouth last night, the Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser, who received a cordial welcome, made initial reference to the various party manifestoes issued since the opening of the election campaign. “1 have read those of Nationalists, Democratic Labour, and other parties whose number is so great that it is impossible to remember their titles, with interest and pleasure,” he said. “Most of them, as was the experience in Australia, will have vanished by election night. Mr. Holland, in supporting the Nationalists’ manifesto, is making speeches wf\ as the Labour Party, made eight years ago. He is only eight years behind us in policy, but eighty years in sentiment. The Nationalists, however, have at last reached the kindergarten stage and in time they will go on to the primary stage. As a matter of fact, no party dare come out to-day and challenge Labour’s achievements.” Mr. Fraser than recounted the reconstructive programme and social welfare policy from 1935 when it had to act as a social Red Cross or ambulance administration until the country had been restored to prosperity. He reiterated official statistics which, he said, were facts that could not be challenged. The list included the following comparative figures: Wages and salaries had increased from £60,000,000 to £155,000,000, and aggregate private income from £106,000.000 to £260,000,000. Reference to the statement by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, on New Zealand's manpower commitments was made by Mr. Fraser. “We have never claimed we could maintain a division in the Middle East or Europe and also keep our men in the Pacific indefinitely.” he said. “When our Middle East division is in northern Europe within a period of months our troops in the Pacific will be used to strengthen the first division. Mr. Holland’s statement is iricorrect, not to use a harsher term. If it becomes a widespread belief it will be a defeatist policy. We pledge New Zealand’s resources to the limit and with the efficiency to fight with other British forces and the United Nations until victory is won.” A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried with one dissentient.