FIGHTING SPEECH

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 187, 16 August 1935, Page 3

FIGHTING SPEECH

By Acting Prime Minister

IN DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

(Per Press Association) DUNEDIN, Last Night

The acting Prime Minister, Sir Alfred Ransom, delivered a pre-session-al address in the Town Hall last night to an audience which numbered about 1300. The Minister spoke for about an hour and three-quarters and was subjected to a considerable amount of interruption by supporters of Labour. The Minister made a fine fighting speech, and at the end of his address had practically subdued the opposition in the audience. At one stage in the meeting the Mayor, Rev. E. T. Cox, who presided, made a threat that if some of the most persistent interjectors did not cease heckling he would ask the police to remove them. At the conclusion of his address the Minister was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A considerable portion of the Minister’s speech was on the lines of the address delivered by him at Dannevirke on August 8. He said that the country had not yet reaped the full benefits of the recovery measures introduced during the period of the depression. The Government had not sought popularity, but had acted in the best interests of the country as a whole. The Minister said there was indisputable evidence of returning prosperity, and contrasted the position of to-day with that of 1931 and 1932, as follows: In 1932 exports were £34,000.000; in 1935 exports were £43,000,000. Imports in 1932 were £24,500,000 and in 1935 £34,000,000.

The increase in imports was most significant, and reflected increased purchasing power and returning confidence. The price of New Zealand butter at this time last year was 78/- per cwt., and the present quotation was 94/per cwt. Dominion finance was also in a comparatively buoyant position. In 1931. the deficit was £1,500,00: in 1932, £2,000,000; and last year there was a surplus of £1,600,000. Bank returns also showed an increase in business. The position last month was: Free deposits. £23.500,000, compared with £16,500,000 in July, 1932. It was obvious that firms and traders were operating more freely. Unemployment figures showed that in July last year there were 60,633 unemployed; in July this year 50.000 (approximate). It was calculated that last year the wages bill increased by £3,600,000, and a still larger increase was anticipated in incomes other than wages. Dealing with land settlement, Sir Alfred said that unless those already on the land were made secure it was no use establishing others. It was difficult te understand Mr. M. J. Sav age’s hopeless outlook. Crown tenants were absolutely secure except in a fe»v cases wbere assistance w; s no* possible. AU settlers would have the benefits of the Mortgage Corporation and the Mo.tgagor- Final Adjustment Acts. Policy and Promises of Labour. Regarding the Labour Party’s policy’ and promises, he challenged it to bring down a detailed policy showing the cost of putting it into operation. In the past it had promised to the electors: (1) Guaranteed prices to farmers; (2) pensions to all persons over 6 0 years of age; (3) restoration of cuts to the Civil Service; (4) invalid pensions; (5) standard rate of pay' to all relief workers; (6) free education, kindergarten to university; (7) extension of other social services.

The Minister said it was a most attractive programme to the unwary, but what was it going to cost? He would tell them. The approximate cost of guaranteed prices to farmers, say 13 millions; pensions for all over 60 years (it is estimated there are 14 5,000 people over that age in New Zealand) at 30/- per week, £ll,310,000; the additional cost therefore was £9.360,000. Invalid persons (it is estimated there are 15,000 invalids in New Zealand, at 30/- per week, would cost £1,700,000. Restoration of “cuts” to civil servants would involve £1,600,000. Standard rates of pay to all relief workers was difficult to assess, but at, say, £3 per week for 43,700 workers, less the provision already made, the cost would probably be £4,548,000, involving a tax of 1/10 1-4 in the £l, a one shilling increase.