ABUNDANCE OF GOODS

Chronicle (Levin), 22 October 1946, Page 5

ABUNDANCE OF GOODS

-Press Assaciatioti

Nsfioital Party 's Olijective STATE GONTR0L GRlTtGlSED

By TmgfapK—

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 21. "Surely we are not always to have cio-thing, stocking;s, - sfigar, tea, ancl other essentfal goods' hanclecf °out as if we were all in . the Army, " said' Mr. S*. G. Holland' in a refer'enee to rationing during his sp'eeeh at the Civie Theatre tonight. The eleetion was not merely a eontest between the ■ Government and the Opposition, or between the leaders of the -two parties, but was a eontest between two diiferent politieal systems, the Labour Party standing for ultimate socialisni whi'ch meant regimentation and' State control,? while the National Party stood for private ownersliip, freedom, competition, and independence. So long as Britaill was short of neeessities, New Zealand would submit cheerfully to rationing but the National Party's objective was to have goods in abuiidance so that there would be 110 need for controls, coupons, and permits. He did not subscribe to the idea Ihat" the Government could spend the people 's money l)etter than those who earned it. People were entitled to variety and competition.- Their ta-stes, appetites, and requirements were different, and they did not want to be all dressed alike. ""We much prefer a lot'of little eapitalists," he said, "with sinai! fnrmers, shopkeepers, and traders all striving to obtain the people 's trade in preferenee to huge State monopolies whose motto is 'Take it or leave it'. If people prefer fresh milk to bottled milk, they should.be free 1o lvave what they want."