PROMISES AND THE COST

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 17

PROMISES AND THE COST

Issue for Electors Stated MR R. M. ALGIE BEGINS SOUTHERN TOUR “Our people are to be asked whether they have the character to weigh the promises against the cost—and the cost is the introduction of Socialism to this fair land,” said Mr R. M. Algie, organiser of the Auckland Provincial Freedom Association, in an address to more than 350 businessmen and farmers in the Radiant Hall yesterday afternoon. Mr Algie was given a warm reception, being cheered at the conclusion of his address. Mr T. Millikan, chairman of the Canterbury division of the National Parly, presided. The address was the first of a number which Mr Algie will give in the South Island, his tour extending to Otago. • The election campaign would test the character of New Zealanders to the limit, for it was obvious that the Labour Government would be able to come forward to the electors with a programme that would be extremely attractive, said Mr Algie. That programme would undoubtedly contain an abundance of promises. In the campaign there would be —although he hoped not—some misrepresentation and, possibly, vilification. The promises would be abundant, but their cost would be conspicuous by its absence not being mentioned. He instanced the Social Security Bill as an example of a scheme that would not be accepted by a meeting of shareholders in a company. The cost should be given. Why should government be run on lines so radically different from the way they would run a business? The promise without the cost worked so well at the last election with the guaranteed price scheme that he could forgive the Government trying to work it a second time. Dairy products had been socialised; what had been done with them could also be done with all other primary products. They did not know the price they were to pay for social security, except that an additional 4d in the £ would be taxed and that companies would pay a grossly unfair tax.

They should recall the general principles of the Government and see where they were going to. The Labour Government possessed a greater control over finance than that once held by Mr J. T. Lang. The stranglehold on the country alleged against the trading banks was non-existent. Banks were business institutions in keen competition, and with their British traditions they could be expected to give a fair run to a reasonable business proposition. Not one English bank closed during the long depression; the charge of inefficiency against the British system was never proved, although levelled. An Efficient Democracy Economic security in itself was not enough. They could have that in His Majesty’s prisons, yet they could not retain their liberty. The Prime Minister had denied that restrictions were operating on the transfer of capital to Australia, yet the speaker had evidence in writing that a bank manager had declined to facilitate the transfer of £250, on which his bank would make a small profit. Unless the evils of capitalism were remedied New Zealand would have Socialism. “We will maintain our democracy only as long as we maintain it respectably and efficiently—which means that our generous materialism must be to those who work for us,” said Mr Algie, amid applause. “We have to offset the promises by showing that we can make democracy work and that we have the knowledge to say the alternative cost is Socialism.”. Under Socialism all would be employees of the States They should have the courage to fight it now. They could not vote Socialism in and hope to be able to get rid of it by exactly the same process. The ballot box provided no way out of Socialism: the choice was between free and authoritarian government. The people were being asked to sign away, with one stroke of the pen at the ballot, the freedom which had been built up since 1215—for more wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. Not until Socialism was completely in the saddle would they see what the hours, wages, and conditions would be. It was a terrible responsibility. At no other time had New Zealand faced such a momentous decision, yet there were people who could not wake up to the gravity of the situation. People were afraid to express their opinions: those persons in responsible positions in Labour who to-day adopted a domineering attitude were the commissars of to-morrow, “But they are nothing if you keep the New Zealand flag where it is.” (Applause.) Politics and Economics Contending that State enterprise and representative government could not go hand in hand, Mr Algie said that the moment a country departed from economic principles for political ones risks were run. The Minister for Marketing had either to accept the unanimous report of the Guaranteed Price Committee and admit that Labour legislation had raised costs beyond all previous levels, or renounce the promise, in the preamble of the act, to give farmers a fair return fpr their services. The Minister was in an awkward situation. With all the sincerity in the world, Mr Nash had attempted to do his best for the dairy farmers; if Mr Nash failed, then no other man could do it.

The basis of many elections was “give, give, and give again.” In 1913 taxation amounted to £6.000,000; in 1935, £25,000,000; in 1937 £36,000,000. The average family taxation had mounted from £2l to £92 while it was £65 two years ago. The amount of the national income taken by taxation rose from 14 per cent, in 1928 to 22 per cent, in 1937. These were figures deserving of some attention. “I conclude with a note from Earl Baldwin, who asks us to dedicate ourselves afresh to the cause of our democracy,” said Mr Algie. “It means that we are not only to vote democratically, but that we are to treat our privileges as a trusteeship—not only to vote democratically but. in fact, to live it.” Mr E. H. S. Hamilton proposed a vote of thanks, which was carried enthusiastically.

ADDRESS GIVEN AT rangiora MR R. M. ALGIE SPEAKS ON POLITICAL SITUATION The Northern (Rangiora) Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Hall at Rangiora was filled last night by an audience of about 300 persons from all parts of North Canterbury to hear an address by Mr R. M. Algie, organiser of the Auckland Provincial Freedom Association, on some aspects of the political situation as it affected New Zealand. The Mayor of Rangiora (Mr C. W. Tyler) presided. The real issue to be decided at the coming elections was Socialism or non-Socialism, said the speaker’. In his opinion, Socialism was an undesirable form of government, as it restricted the liberty of the people. Already the country was in danger of

being governed by a federation of labour, and if the policy of Labour was pur: rued the freedom of the people would bo still more restricted. “Socialism may give you economic security” observed Mr Algie, “but I cannot picture young New Zealand throwing aside its ambition merely for dull, drab, economic security. It would be morally and intellectually bankrupt before it did that.” ADDRESSES BY MR R. M. ALGIE Mr R. M. Algie, organiser of the Auckland Provincial Freedom Association, will address a women’s meeting in the Radiant Hall at 2.30 p.m. to-day, and will speak in St. Andrew’s Hall, Ashburton, at 8 p.m. Addresses to-mor-row will be given in the Geraldine Parish Hall at 3 p.m., and in the Timaru Scottish Hall at 8 p.m.