Socialist Planning In N.Z. Condemned By Leader Of The Opposition; A Path Backward

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1948, Page 5

Socialist Planning In N.Z. Condemned By Leader Of The Opposition; A Path Backward

(P.A.) Auckland, May 5. The results of Socialist planning in New Zealand over the past 12 years were reviewed in detail by the Leader of the National Party (Mr. Holland), in an address to a large and enthusiastic audience in the Town Hall. A crowd of about 2500 people gave Mr. Holland a rousing welcome with cheers and musical honours and later passed unanimously a vote of thanks to him.

Mr. Holland said that Labour had all sorts of plans. They had plans to decide who in New Zealand should set up in business as a chemist and last year of the 20 people who applied, eight were granted permits and 12 were refused thm. Of those wanting to make footwear. 43 had permits granted and the other 50 did not. “They have plans for switching off the power when it is needed most and I regret that we can look forward to a number of years, perhaps 10 years of a continuation of the excess of demand over supply. The Government organised the demand for electricitv and forgot to organise the supply. Socialism has plans so that only bet-ter-off people can own a ear and to allow into the country’ only one motor-car for every five needed.” There were plans for preventing young people from planning their homes and the number of their children they would have, by refusing permits to build houses above certain dimensions. “They have planned ano planned until the lien’s egg is almost a museum piece,” he said

"Fifty years ago there were better amenities, for we are going back to tin baths, wooden spouting and downpipes,” Mr. Holland said. The plan apparently included tin sheds for university buildings, and he had had to show these to Lord Beveridge. There were plans to manufacture candles instead of electricity, and to go back to where our grandfathers had been. The losses suffered on various Government enterprises were reviewed. But this is the Government that says it is planning its way out, he said. "No one will envy the next Government its task. It is not going to be easy or even possible to fix up in a years or two all these distortions of the years, but the National Party, if returned, will use its utmost endeavours to put the country on a sound basis.” IMPORTANCE OF EXPORTS The importance of New Zealand’s exports was emphasised by Mr. Holland. He said there was'in Britain a demand for another 350,000 tons of mait and also for more butter and wool yet Mr. Nash had just expressed his concern at the small rise in New Zealand’s production and had suggested an inquiry. There is no need for an inquiry as Mr. Nash has proposed as to why New Zealand’s production has increased by only nine per cent, while that of the United States has increased by 47 per cent., he said. The answer ir simple. It is that there is too much interference with the primary producer by a Government that knows nothing of his problems. Farmers are expected to work six or seven days a week so that the people on the wharves can work for one hour and be paid for two. What would be said if the dairy farmer delivered

one pound of butter and demanded payment for two. Alter reviewing Britain’s post-war plight and paying tribute to American munificence as expressed through the Marshall Plan and other means, Mr. Holland said that beyond any doubt today Britain was in trouble. With her influence reduced, New Zealand must help restore Britain’s prestige, influence and power for good and also help her trade. There is no defence for the New Zealand Government reducing hours of work in coal mines and then turning to Britain and asking for coal to keep our industry going, he said, amid applause. Similarly, there was no ease tor locking out British goods. Every effort should be made to remove impediments to trade with Britain, to remove unnecessary restrictions and io oiler New Zealand’s defences to Britain as a contribution toward a force that would ensure world peace. COMMUNISM CONDEMNED. The National Party believed in democracy and free speech inside the British system but it did not support free speech to advocate the destruction of our freedom or freedom lor Quislings, traitors and fifth columnists to serve a foreign power to endanger our security and to undermine our Empire. “I believe Communism is subversive; that it is anti-British, anti-democratic and anti-Christian, and that it should be put out of bounds and declared a subversive activity.” He said the National Party view is that Communists must be rooted out wherever they are. “Mr. Attlee has decided to do it and Mr. Fraser seems to.be leaning in the same direction. I can pledge whole-hearted support from his political opponents if he will take the step he is out to take. There is not, and never has been, any difference between the Russian form of Socialism and the New Zealand form. They differ only in method,” Mr. Holland declared. He said they both sought to overthrow the capitalist system and private enterprise but, while in Russia the process was achieved by revolution, New Zealand was witnessing the process of gradualism, or one at a time. The National Party was opposed tc Socialism and the question for the public was whether the Government was to rope in more industries, nationalise more trade and wipe out more private enterprise or whether there was to be elected a Government that would stimulate trade, increase the supply of goods, make controls unnecessary, restore freedom and serve the people instead of being their masters.

“We have no defence scheme worthy of the name, and I believe that the time has arrived, as General Marshall has said, when we should realise that the only way to win a war is to prevent war," said Mr. Holland. “I believe that the people of this country would accept willingly an announcement by the Government that we should immediately embark on a scheme of universal training so that we can contribute our share. That is where the National Party takes its stand, yet what are we doing? We are occupying plush seats in the grandstand of international affairs."