Four Wanganui National Party Nominees Address Party Members

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 164, 17 July 1946, Page 7

Four Wanganui National Party Nominees Address Party Members

MEETING AT OPERA HOUSE EACH SEEKS ENDORSEMENT AS ELECTION CANDIDATE Four nominees seeking selection as candidate to represent, the National Party in the Wanganui electorate at the general elections this year, addressed members o£ the party in the Opera House last night. About 1000 people were present. Members of the local branches of the National Party will now choose their candidate, on a preferential basis in a postal ballot, the result of which will be announced on June 25.

The chairman of the Wanganui Electoral Committee of the party in Wanganui, Mr. W. E. Robbie, presided, and introduced the four nominees: Miss Elaine Newton, and Messrs E. W. MerewetSer, A. R. Donaldson, and A. C. Seivewright, each of whom gave an address lasting about 20 minutes. GOOD GOVERNMENT “What constitutes good government?” asked Miss Elaine Newton. “First we have an intelligent and sincere electorate, which requires a high standard of education. We have had a deliberate breaking down of an education system during the Labour lule. The university complains about the poor quality of students, and has recently maue drastic changes to try and change the position.”

Educationalists and business men complained about the quality of education of the younger generation. Text books used in first-year classes at our secondary schools were trose written for Standard V in England.

The Labour Government feared that children who could not pass barriers might get an inferiority complex, so they removed all barriers. Promotion to a higher class was not by qualifying tests, but by age group. If a child was brighter than his age group he was retarded to keep him with it.

“Side by side with this general lowering of standards, the Government is trying to train the yes-man voter of the future,” Miss Newton added. "At his most impressionable age the child is deliberately impressed with the State’s activities under the guise of a subject, known as social studies.’ The pupil is taught to admire the social work of the State, and to look to the State as the universal and natural provider of everything he needs.” It was imperative, Miss Newton said, to have persons of integrity in the legislature and other parts of government, persons who woqld not be afraid of hard work, and who would put parochialsm and self last. They must not foe mere yes-men, or cogs in the political machine. Mr. Holland had emphasised that everyone in the National Party was entitled to have and express his own opinion in Parliament and out of it. Miss Newton pointed out that the present occasion was an instance of this freedom. They had not had a candidate loisted on them by party heads in Wellington.

“The Labour Government should carry out the promises with which it persuaded the electors to elect it,” Miss Newton added. “When soliciting office it glibly promised abolition of the sales tax, alteration of the exchange rate, abolition of the superfluous Upper House, and many other things. Also, a Government should not make a major change in its policy without going to the country about it. The Labour Government’s change of front on such questions as the Bank of New Zealand and conscription are instances.”

Dealing with the Government’s appeal to the farmer to grow more food for Britain, the speaker said ,hat its actions had hampered the eliorts of primary yproducers. We had to help Britain by buying her secondary products, but the Labour Government here set up tariff walls, import restrictions and uneconomic secondary industries in New Zealand. The Government contended that private enterprise could not deal with housing. That was no wonder, when the hampering restrictions on building contractors were considered. In 1936 Mr. Nash had said that State houses would cost £6OO, but to-day they cost £2OOO, and the Government :>id there was no inflation.

One essential of good government was that the Government should exist (or the good of the people, not that the people should exist for the benefit of a group of bureaucrats, loath to relinquish any of their power over the people. The word “Minister” meant a servant, not a master. Maximum freedom .”om interference in their private l. z es was the natural ana inalienable right of every Britisher. “The terrible thing about State planning and socialism is that it la like an octupus,” continued Miss Newton. “Control of one thing inevitably leads to control of allied things, and eventually everyone becomes, directly or indirectly, an employee of the State, or rather of the bureaucrats who will control everything so effectively that they cannot be opposed. "A Government should not. be bossed by power groups outside it. The unions and the Federation of Labour wave the big stick, and the Ministers hasten to take off their hat>, bow and obey. Then lhe Prime Minister begs the miners to refrain from unnecessary- strikes for the next few months to h°!n him win the election.”

BENEFIT ALL SECTIONS “I have been associated with the National Parly as an official and as a member for many years, and I have had many opportunities at conferences and elsewhere, of observing the outstanding ability of Mr. S. G. Holland the leader of our party in Parliament,” said Mr. Donaldson. "His strength of character and broad outlook on world affairs, admirably fit him for lhe position of Prime Minister of the Dominion, a position which he will undoubtedly assume after the November elections. I have seen the success of our candidates at recent by-elections, which indicates that lhe people of the Dominion are heartily tired of th” sori Histic trends in recent legislation. "’rhe;;? is one platform of the National Party .’lnch I support without reservation of any kind. It is the uft-repeatc I promise o f ..ui leader, that any ier:-!a - i i : to • introduce ’ v ill be for the bi i ef; 1 Mi sections of the -nnm i“ : ’ ■.. ar,’ ~oi for an; pariiculai class. I also subscribe In lhe belief that a great number of industrial disputes could be solved if encouragement was given to improving relations between employer and employee. When disputes arise over lhe terms of existing awards T believe that a frank round the table discussion between representatives of the

union and the employer will go a long way to bring about better underst and-

Mr. Donaldson said that too often in the past the trouble-making section of a Trades Union had gone out of its way to stir up hostility towards the employer, and in recent years this sort of thing had become a habit, with the result that chaotic conditions in industry had arisen which had brought about shortages of the essential things that every citizen is entitled to. The housing position in Wanganui and throughout the world was giving the authorities cause for anxiety. As far as Wanganui was concerned, despite urgent appeals which had been made to the Government Housing Department and appropriate Ministers, the Government had not recognised the claims of Wanganui to the same extent that they had assisted other cities of the same population.

When the Government created an Internal Marketing Department they had been assured that the main objective of that department would be the orderly marketing and distribution of all fruit, vegetables, butter, eggs, cheese and other staple articles of diet required by the people of the Dominion, so that an even and plentiful supply of these commodities would be available to everybody throughout the year. Had this objective been accomplished? Could any person honestly say that he was satisfied with the present system of marketing? Did anyone remember at any time in the history of the Dominion, before the advent of the 1.M.D., when vegetables, fruit, eggs, etc., were in such short supply and so dear? It seemed to be gradually fading from the minds of the people that government control of these staple items of diet meant giving the I.M.D. a monopoly over importations of all lines of fruit.

In necent years splendid progress had been made in the establishment of new industries in Wanganui as a direct result of the activities of the Wanganui branch of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association and the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. It should be made widely known that thanks to the energy and initiative of the Manufacturers’ Association, a complete survey of the buildings and lands available in the city was made, and by keeping close contact with the officers of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, they were able to place 12 new industries In Wanganui.

These industries were now employing 1457 workers and the annual wages and salaries bill amounts to over £358,000. It was known that several of these new ventures had been so successful that plans to extend their buildings and equipment have been decided upon “I would point out that these industries have been established m our midst by firms investing their own capital,” Mr. Donaldson added, “and as a result of the overtures of the Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce, both of which bodies strongly support the idea of free enterprise as against socialism. Too often have we heard disparaging remarks made about Chambers of Commerce and the Manufacturers’ Association by people who have little knowledge of what they do.” “There are four nominees before you to select the one, who, in your opinion, is most suitable to represent the National Party in the contest for the Wanganui electorate at the general election,” Mr. Donaldson concluded. "The one who is the choice of the majority of the members of the party will have a strenuous campaign to go through. He or she will need the co-operation of every member of the National Party within the electorate.

“If you feel disanbointed that the majority have selected a candidal for whom you did not vote, nleas? take it without bitterness, and let us all get behind thp successful nominee and strive with all the energy that we are capable of. to nut the National Party candidate at the top of the Poll. We are going to win this time, make no mistake about that, but it will not be an easy win. I will be the first to offer mv sincere congratulations to your selected candidate, and also my whole-hearted eo-operation in the election campaign.”

FOR THE GOOD OF ALL

“I can assure you I am not standing on this platform from choice, but because I know it. is the wish of many that. I should offer my services in the interest, of our citizens and district,” said Mr. Merewether. “Should it be my privilege to go forward as your National Party candidate, I wish to assure all sections of the community that my efforts will always be directed towards the good of all, no matter what their colour, creed or polities may be. This has always been my policy, and I hope my 25 years of business and five years as a city councillor will support that statement.” Mr. Merewether contended that we must always stand four square with Great Britain, who was and always had been our best, customer and also our real friend in time of trouble. The New Zealand Government should at once lift the barriers of import and export control, so that trade, wherever possible, could be resumed between the two countries. Now Zealand, owing to its geographical position and glorious climate, was essentially a primary producing country, and unless we could greatly increase our population we could never hope to become a manufactiuing country. That was why we should have a planned and vigorous immigration policy. Our only real wealth came from otjr exports of primary produce, and !>:• noted that our sterling fund overseas to-day stood at roughly £85,01)0,* 006. “That real Wealth or purchasing power,” Mr. Merewether added, “must never be confused with our New Zealand money, of which, as Mr. ( hurchill might say, ‘Never in the history of New Zealand have so mauv hadi so much that would buy so little.’ I "Imperial preference, as expressed J in the Ottawa Agreement, is the most i important of all issues before New | Zealand to-day. The whole economic tructure of the Dominion rests on I

the maintenance of these preferences, assuring as they do an adequate, indeed the only market for this country’s primary exports—Great Britain.

There never was a time when the maintenance of these preferences was more vital to New Zealand's prosperity than is the case to-day. “Her people are committed by the Government to Social Security and other expenditure so huge in comparison with its population that the whole economc structure would coilapse were the British market no longer assured, or if prices for her primary exports declined substantially.

“In the Infernal Marketing Division we have a splendid example of State interference in business, and the sooner we get rid of it the better for all concerned. Never have we been so short of eggs, fruit and vegetables as we are to-day. What was wrong with the days when the farmer’s wife brought her small surplus of eggs or other produce to town and exchanged these with her storekeeper for other goods? There was nothing wrong, and it proved that private enterprise can always deliver the goods.” Mr. Merewether said there were far too many restrictions imposed by the Government, and while many were necessary during the war, there was no justification that many should be retained to-day. The Industrial Efficiency Act was having a very serious effect upon the rehabilitation of our servicemen and women because it was taking away the liberty of the individual to do something for himself. Drastic cuts in taxation should be made, as it was seriously affecting industry and was largely responsible for the shortage of goods so noticeable to-day. Social Security was a very fine piece of legislation and he accorded the Government full marks, but unless the powers that be were very careful not to kill the goose that supplied the wherewithal, the wageearner in this country would be called upon to contribute much more than two shillings in the pound.

“Fai' too much legislation has been forced through the House,” Mr. Merewether continued, “and to-day we are ‘reaping the wind.’ Take the Fair Rents Act. While it. has its good points, it has absolutely killed the small builder who was prepared 1o erect a house for letting purposes as an investment. Many thousands of houses were built this way. “The Government is spending huge sums of money to attract tourists to our Dominion, but the 40-hour week is having a disastrous effect upon service, which means so much to the travelling public. Again, the 40-hour week is an insult of our women folk, and undue hardships are caused on account of the inability of storekeepers to effect deliveries of household goods. In consequence, the poor housewife becomes virtually a packhorse.’’

The speaker said that full employment was a wonderful thing in theory but he was prepared to donate £lO to any local charitable institution if it could be put into effect without taking a wav he liberty and freedom of the individual.

“OPERATION CROSSROADS”

“When the Allies dropped the bomb on Bikini Lagoon they called that “Operation Crossroads,” suggesting that the future, or otherwise, of civilisation was to be decided,” said Mr. Seivewright.” This picturesque way of naming such a momentous operation might well be applied to the elections in November. We could very well call our election Operation Crossroads.’ On that occasion, the people of this little Dominion will be faced with the necessity of making one of the most important decisions politically they have ever been called on to do. “A cynic once said that there are five qualities necessary to make a successful politician: Health and physical strength: a memory for names, dates and events; ability to speak in public; love of applause; and cunning. The last requisite the present Government has in abundance,” Mr. Seivewright added.

“In 1935 they sold the country humanitarianism, and thousands of people voted for them on that account alone. In 1938 they again came forward with the humanitarian appeal, and again the country supported them, but in 1943 they cunningly used the war to implement many controls and regulations that they have found very convenient in progressing with their socialistic doctrine. They are now cunningly leading us down a side road of socialism which has been proved wherever has been tried Io be the road to serfdom. The British people have never taken kindly to regimentation.”

The speaker quoted several things that private enterprise can do tliat a Government can never hope to do. Private enterprise reduced costs; a Government never thought about costs. Whatever it did it charged it up to the taxpayer. Private enterprise could make a quick decision, which a Government can never do.

Private enterprise offered incentive to its employees. A Government never offered its employees incentive. It was the worst employer in lhe country. During the war it loaded on to its officers all sorts of jobs, for which they never got an extra shilling. The Government service as a whole was very poorly paid.

The issues at stake were not whether or not we worked 30,,40. 20, or no hours at all a week, or whether certain privileged classes had unlimited supplies of rationed foods, cigarettes and tobacco, or whether the entire country was tn be housed in Government. homes and we become a nation of rent payers. The vital issue at stake was whether or not we were to have a Government foreign to the Biitish way of doing things, contrary to the freedom of democracy that the people have enjoyed for years.

The early pioneers who had founded this country were not social bureaucrats. They were a walking advertisement for that great institution of creative effort —“private enterprise ” 11 was due to then? that we enjoyed the heritage that they have bequeathed to us. Private enterprise, as the British people knew it. was the greatest incentive in the world for an individual to express himself to the full.

Mr. Seivewright said he had oeen out in this country for 27 years, and had never regretted coming out here. No obstacles had been put in his way except those of his own making. Hi's successes he attributes to lhe wonderful productivity of the country, and his failures he attributes to his own lack of judgment and knowledge. His coming out to New Zealand was the must important thing he had ever dune. He believed in New Zealand, and its marvellous future in lhe Pacific.

"I stand politically for the system of democracy, declared Mr. Seivewright. "I am against all foreign doctrines of Government that have already proved 1 hemselves to be wreckers of nations and not builders. I stand for humanitarianism; I believe that we are our brothers’ keepers, hut those that have been blessed with ability and capacity should help those to whom nature nas nor been kind. 'T stand for high wages; bonus

schemes and profit sharing in industry. I stand for modern methods of doing things. I believe in progress and that the inventions of mankind should be available to all the people. I will battle for this city, which I want to see go ahead. I believe that it j.s capable of big development. Finally, I will fight for the citizens of this electorate without any suggestion of class distinctions.”

(Biographical notes on the four nominees appear on the next page 8.)