LABOUR POLITICS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 147, 19 June 1934, Page 5

LABOUR POLITICS

Leader In Otaki

BUYING POWER LIMITATIONS

PLIGHT OF DAIRY FARMERS

(Per Press Association).

OTAKI, This Day;

Addressing a crowded audience last night the Leader* of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, stated that the problem of production had already been solved, and the main problem facing the country to-day was one of distribution.

It was generally agreed that the present depression was the result not of the scarcity, but of wealth in quantities which were beyond the people’s buying power.

It was difficult to understand why the people should be allowed to suffer on account of the maldistribution of wealth, which was rapidly bringing the country to a. state of bankruptcy. Falling prices, which resulted from the short supply of money in circulation, had about doubled the real burden of private and public debts during recent years witho'ut taking into account the huge increase in recent •figures Every reduction in the buying power of people meant falling prices, which in effect increased the burden of debt.

Planned Economy Wanted.

The time had come for planned economy which would ensure that the purchasing power kept pace with the boundless possibilities of production. Dairy farmers were in need of immediate relief. The coming season of Parliament should give urgent attention to providing ways and means to that end. Delay meant the sacrifice of hundreds of good farmers, who had spent large sums of money as well as the labour of their lifetimes to bring the country to its present state of productivity. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence in the Labour Party was passed, also a resolution demanding the dissolution of Parliament not later than the end. of the period for which it was elected, being carried enthusiasitcally.