LABOUR'S CAMPAIGN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 187, 1 December 1941, Page 5

LABOUR'S CAMPAIGN

MINISTER AND CANDIDATE AT WHAKATANE OPENING MEETING IN BAY ELECTION The Labour Party's candidate in the Bay of Plenty by-elec-tion, Mr Chas. Mills*, of Gilsborne, opened his campaign from the Whakatane platform on Thursday night when he was supported by the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, Minister of Health. About 170 people attended the meeting which took place in: the .King Street Hall. His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, presiding. Mr Mills opened his address with a tribute to the late member for the Bay, Lieut. A. G. Hultquist, ex- . pressing regret that the by-election ncccssary, and Saying that when returned he would endeavour to enter into his duties with the "same enthusiasm as Lieut. Hultquist. He mentioned the precedent set by the National Party and expressed regret that they had chosen on this occasion to oppose the seat in contradiction to their statement. Mr Mills took his audience back to 1934 relating the terrible conditions then prevailing with hundreds of thousands out of work, and the worst suffering that human beings could undergo. There had been some 50,000 unemplo\*ed in 1935, thousands of youths out of work, carrying their swags and begging. Yet it had not been so bad for the young men as it had been for the young women. No> provision had been made for any youth unable to lind an avenue of employment and who suffered terribly with only charity to sustain him.

Six Prosperous Years Reflection again revealed the following six prosperous years since Labour gained power in November 1935. On taking the Government benches Labour had found conditions so bad that they had given the unemployed a Christmas bonus. • Only about xvas given each family but the action had given a great ileal of joy to those in straightened circumstances. In the village in which he lived at that time, Te Karaka, of a population of only 400 some 165 people were at the point of starvation which indicated the situated from end to end of the Douninion. Labour had altered this giving a reasonable standard of living to all, The depression had been man-made in New Zealand, this being proved as the depression ended with the advent of Labour to power. Conditions had changed overnight and in •a few months hundreds and thousands were again employed. Kept All Promise's Labour had kept all its promises .and he quoted the introduction of pensions altering the standard from ,15/9 weekly for an old couple to £1 ( increased to 30/- besides giving numerous other benefits. "Now the unfortunate and needy are cared lor ,by a pension—before they had to . depend on charitable aid or friends" he said. "It will never happen again that there will be soup kitchens and sugar bag parades." Labour's 12 points of policy had ■ all been carried out with the exception of the free medical service. • The free hospital service introduced in 15>37 had been a wonderful step and many were well to-day who otherwise would not have been. Free medicine had been partially introduced and would soon be complete.

Farmers Better Off The farmers income had been guaranteed also —farmers who could not pay their way under the old Tory Government were now sound. Fifty per cent had been unable to pay their way and now the pos'ition was completely altered, and every primary producer was in a better position than in 1935. The Guaranteed Price was being paid and functioned" to-day to the satisfaction of all. In the last two years farmers had been assisted by subsidies to the extent of five million pounds andtlie system adopted would save, the farmer in a slump, give an equal standard of living and allow him to pay decent wages. The speaker continued to claim that not one farmer would abandon the Guaranteed Price system and the Government would pay that price to all "war or no war." Industry had been vastly develop-' ed by Labour in the past twelve months some 200 factories being commenced "employing another 3000 hands. All unemployed had beer

absorbed into industry. The standard of living was far better with 11 millions more in wages j>aid than in 393.j. There had been much criticism of the 40-hour week claimed the speaker who added that production had not reduced. Employees well treated and cared for would produce more in 40 hours than in 48. Great War Effort Regarding the war effort he said no country in the Empire had had more difficulties than New Zealand, many commodities required for war effort having to be imported. "Yet I say our -\var effort is second to none—or second to England only," said Mr Mills. Our soldiers were the best equipped in tlie Empire and also the best paid. Manufacture of equipment had been rapidly advanced, while the New Zealand hospital ship was the finest on the water. He said he was proud to be associated with the Government's achievements. The party had Always been harassed in some way by the war or people the latter endeavouring to sabotage the efforts by sending funds out of the country—the Hon. W. Nash was to be thanked for the recovery made. The speaker referred to costs illustrating that they wore high in 1929 than to-day. In that year not many commodities had been cheaper. He did not know of any. The Government had stabilised prices and would allow increases only when fair. j

. In conclusion Mr Mills expressed his confidence of being returned and said he would pursue the policy outlined by Labour and do his best for his electorate.

Displeasure that the worn' of a by-election had been made necessary by the National Party was expressed lav the Hon Mr Nordmever in his opening remarks, the Minister stating that for reasons best known to themselves National had nominated a candidate.

He joined in paying tribute to the memory of the late Lieut. Hultquist. In prior instances the Party had said it would not contest the vacant seats during the war, but it way strange that Independent candidates who forced the issue were now official National candidates.

However, although he thought that Mr Holland would have followed the precedent set, the party was quite within its legal rights. He spoke of -Mr Mills of a candidate of whom the electorate could feel proud— he had been for years secretary cf a Labour Party a successful businessman and a returned soldier. Until two nights previously Mr Mills had not spoken in public and in starting his campaign he had put up an effort of Avhicli to be proud. The Government's war effort could not have been bettered said the Minister who added that there had been no aerodromes in the country and now there were many. Starting at a great disadvantage the Government had'rapidly advanced all branches of the service as well as feeding clothing and housing the people. The effort was comprehensive and co-ordinated. High tribute to the effort had been paid by Messrs Hamilton and Coates of the War Cabinet, arid they were in the position to know. However the war would come to an end and a victorious end and then the task of rehabilitating tens of thousands ol' soldiers would commence. The Government would endeavour to make New Zealand as worthy of them as they were worthy of New Zealand. He continued that for such work the Labour' Party ,was needed, it had the vision, drive and enthusiasm as no other party had to make the Dominion the place it should be. All the best intelligence and ability the nation possessed would be required. Regarding finance of the war he said it was estimated- that 70 millions would be spent this year. Twenty millions would come from tax. seven from surplusses. and the rest would have to be bororwed. The best way was to borrow internally—keen as he was to use the Reserve Bank for the people this would not be wise in war as in peace. It was wiser to keep reserves intact for use after the war.

In 1935 he continued the Government had fought the election mainlv on, its policy of social security. The result showed no doubt in the minds of the people. In spite of that the National Party said that if it gained power it would not operate the scheme. That was still the attitude of that party. Some thought the scheme would be carried on, but the Government that cut pensions in past years would do the same again. Only Labour would maintain and extend the scheme and if it was wanted then the people must support Labour. . ((;nni i nii'-d in next •o'um >

At first the scheme had been said to be visionary, idealistic and inpractical and people said we could not afford it. Now we could not afford not to have it. The scheme would cost millions this year and 16 millions when complete. He detailed the many benefits offering. It had not been expected that the medical profession would readily join in but to-day many doctors were claiming direct on the scheme and he claimed that soon 90 per cent would be doing so. People were not abusing the scheme as claimed but were reasonable and co-operative to keep it working. It was hoped to before long add a Home nursing service and a specialist service and then New Zealand would have- a Social Security of a kind and at a level unsurpassed. But if the scheme was to remain then Labour must be kept in power. In reply to a question the Minister explained that the travelling expenses of a doctor over 20 miles were the obligation of the individual, as the Avaste of time to treat one patient was great and the doctor should naturally be made aA r ailable first to the greatest number. He Avas asked Avliy in times of such wonderful prosperity as quoted it was necessary to. tax 16 year olds, and the Minister replied that the 16 year olds received all benefits, earned good wages • and had all the privileges and advantages of legislation. The candidate Avas asked vieAVS on the abolition of capital punishment, and his reply Avas to quote the countries—nine—which had abolished the death penalty and all of "which had shoAA'n a decrease in deaths by viol-

ence. Mr Nordmeycr added that such a move had been a plank of the Party's platform and no person had been hanged since 1935. Therefore with it common knowledge that no executions would be allowed it had been farcical to not alter the law. Most murders were the result of insanity, sudden outbursts of violence, or by a person who. thought himself clever enough to avoid detection. Therefore the result of the action was not considered and the death penalty no deterrent. He claimed that the Government had been justified in ordering the "shoo!: on sight" policy in the West Coast episode. An armed man had to be prevented from further crimes. The Waihi ease was mentioned and he replied that as the man was serving a life sentence he could do no further harm. If remission in sentence was given then that was not the business of the Government but the decision of an Impartial Board. The meeting concluded with a motion of confidence being passed on the motion of Messrs Ghristenscn and Major.