TOUR BEGINS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20524, 14 June 1938, Page 9

TOUR BEGINS

L THE PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED BY LARGE CROWDS CRITICISM OF OPPONENTS (By Trt*r-«Wi.— A„orla:>m> PEILDJNO, Mondav An official t*»ir of the Wellington Taranaki and Hawke’s Hay Provinces was commenced this morning by »h«j Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Sava**, accompanied bv the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb. The party stopped at Pukertia Bay. where the members were given a warm reception by the men of the Public Works Department. Later. Mr Savage visited Otakl. Levin. Shannon and Foxton, being met at Levin by Mr C. L. Hunter. M.P. At each place the Prime Minister was welcomed by large crowds, whom he addressed, arriving at Peildlng late this evening. Mr Savage was the guest of the Feilding branch of the Labour Party at dinner, afterwards attending a civic reception in the Majestic Theatre, which was crowded. The Mayor of Feilding. Mr T. L. Seddon. welcomed the Prime Minister and Mr Webb on behalf of the citizens, while the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., also expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr Savage In Feilding In an official capacity. A welcome was also extended by Mr S. Strachan, chaiiman of the Pahangina County Connell, on behalf of the adjacent counties. M Government le Not Black ” " My main object In visiting the district and neighbouring localities is to meet the people and to see for myself at close range something of the conditions of life and work, and to note the measure and direction of development,” said Mr Savage, who was given an enthusiastic reception. “ If one were to listen to the false testimony of the Government's opponents. It would almost appear that the whole country is In revolt against Labour and Its progressive policy,’* the Prime Minister continued. “ Nothing of the sort exists. All along the wayside pleasant receptions and generous have encouraged me to believe that the Government is not black. Some people with tar brushes would like to colour It. "A great delight at the outset of the tour has been seeing so many happy people everywhere. Where - could one find happier children than those In New Zealand to-day? ** Some of my critics say I refer too frequently to tha better times. People should rem'vnbpr the depression years. Nor should it be forgotten that the Coalition Government ran truest to form in the Tory hobby of cutting wages and curtailing trade and general business, and maintaining the ancient adage. * the poor are always with us.' ” Farmers Encouraged Mr Savage said that in addition to promoting manufactures as well as primary industry the Government was going forward with its policy of linking all the centres of population by good roads and rail and air transport facilities. Everything would be don** to m'ake life in the provincial towns Just as attractive as in the cities.

*' There has never been a time in the history of New Zealand when the farmers got more practical encouragement from the State than they are receiving now from the Labour Government,’’ continued the Prime Minister. “ I do not refer only to the guaranteed price of butter-fat. •• Even If the dairy farmers were foolish enough to surrender the eubstance for the shadow end go beck to the old rafferty rules of marketing and unstable prices, or, more foolish still, go blindfolded a Into maze of compensatory prices, It would still be true that the Labour Government Is doing more to encourage farming Interests than was ever done by any other Government." Mr Savage claimed that there was nothing savouring of dictatorship in the Industrial Efficiency Act. and nearly all applications of the licensing provisions of the Act emanated from the industries themselves. In no case had the bureau sought to impose licensing on any industry not desiring it. Proof of the Government's efforts was that In 1937-38 over 1100 more factories were in operation than two years previously. Industry Thriving Critics stated that Labour had discouraged the Investment of capital in Ne\v Zealand, said the Prime Minister. If any further Indication was needed to show the thriving state of industry In the Dominion It was only necessary to point out that industry was achieving prosperity and at the same time paying more out in wages. For the year ended March, 1935, the total wages bill was £06,000.000: in March of this year it was £99.000.000. Mr Savage said that In the course of his tour he would have something definite to say about the various phases of progress and development under the Labour Government. A recitation of the main facts should make an end to pessimism and political predictions of another slump. The Prime Minister and his party were later guests at a dance arranged by the Feilding branch of the Labour Party.