WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 54, 6 March 1945, Page 2

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

SOCIALISTIC MEASURES

REVIEW BY MR SULLIVAN

A comprehensive review of the work of Parliament, and recent political issues was given on Thursday, February 15, by Mr W. M.P. for Bay of Plenty in addressing' a large gathering of Gisborne and Bay of Plenty electorates' National party supporters, in the National Club rooms. Gisborne. Mr H. H. Barker presided and introduced Mr Sullivan and also Mr F. J. Short chairman of the National Party in the Bay of Plenty electorate. • Mr Sullivan commented on some of the legislation passed during the last session and referred, in particular to the ever-increasing socialistic measures and restrictions which were imposed upon the people. In recent the public had had only a foretaste of the extent to which their liberties would be curtailed unless the present Government were removed from office, he said. He mentioned for instance that > the Hon. D. G. Sullivan had statcxl that import restrictions had conic to stay and asked if the public was to infer from that that even in normal limes restrictions on such things, as petrol and tyres would remain and prevent, people from going on holiday tours as they had been accustomed to. Primary Production In emphasising the importance of encouraging primary production Mr Sullivan pointed out that this was the only way in winch overseas funds could be built up and those things which the people needed ami desired brought into the country. At present there were not sufficient funds overseas to meet existing obligations, let alone pay for the many things- that would be'required after the war. It was for this reason that farming had to be made more attractive, instead of being placed in a position where the industry could only be maintained through the hard labour of the womenfolk. The paramount need Avas a progressive land j policy and there was no hope of this from a Government which believed in the nationalisation of the land. Secondary Industries Commenting on the. large number of uneconomic secondary industries which had been built up during the war, Mr Sullivan said it was obvious that these would have to be weeded out. It would not be sufficient however f merely to close them down; before this was done it was essential that other avenues of productive employment should be opened up. As one. instance of what could be done he referred to the immense possibilities of an export trade in softwoods. Unfortunately whereas betwen 70 000 and 80 000 £ J acres of trees had been planted, the Labour Government, even before the war, had restricted planting to about 10 per cent, of the former leval. Mr Short addressed the meeting briefly on the National Party organisation and emphasised the responsibility of all members and riot 9 merely a ffevv playing their part in improving and strengthening it.