MR. SEMPLE AT OTAKI

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1946, Page 2

MR. SEMPLE AT OTAKI

Needs Of New Zealand Traced ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION The Anglican Hall, Otaki, was well filled on Saturday evening, when the Hon. R. Semple gave an address. Mr. Brindle was in the chair, and in opening' the meeting apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore. He reminded members of the party meeting on Monday evening, and called special attention to the fact that the electoral roll closed on Wednesday next. He then called upon Mr. Semple to speak, and upon his rising to do so, he received a round of applause. Mr. Semple stated that he wislied to call the attention of all present to the things that really mattered — our future problems alter six years of war. In New Zealand we were privileged to live in a land that had not been damaged by the war, while most of the world was in a sorry state. He drew attention to the famine in India and China. He said that never before had such a state of things been known in Europe, and the task set for those of the present and near future was to bring it back to a condition of plenty and happiness. Speed had made this world a comparatively small place, as now each part could be so quickly brought into touch with other parts. Man could fly like a bird, or live in the ocean like a fish. He could master electricity and had conquered many things, but he had not learned to conquer himself and thus enrich and beautify the world. The speaker said he was not a scandalmonger, but he warned them that unless humanity travelled another road the end' of the white races was in sight. The days of a flght when each man faced his opponent with the sword were gone, and all future wars would be with the use of bombs and then God help humanity. It was our duty to try to understand humanity, so that we could deal with the problems of the ' people. Nations 'that only a few months ago had been side by side in battle were now snarling at each other. It should not be allowed to cause another war. He refused to believe that God in his wisdom and mercy willed such things. To believe it would be blasphemy. He had faith in the future, but even with all the faith in the world we had to remember that there were many pitfails. Some country had to start as the torch bearer to a better state of understanding between each other, which would lead to a better world. Thousands of brave lads had perished that we might live to build up a better condition of things. At present there was a shortage of food, clothes and many other

things, Mr. Semple continued. If capitai got.contrdl we wouid''have to be careful that such things did not happen again. After six years " of war lifty million people in Rus-; sia were without a home and much the same state of things existed in many other parts of the world," which was in poverty. Not so in New Zealand, which was a rich little country, the surface of which had only been scratched so far. We could produce much wealth by the energy, skill and resolution of our men and women. The question was how could that be. obtained? The answer was that it could only be done by rational thinking, service and hard work. Labour was the most dignified word in the English language. Labour was responsible for the production of the wealth of the world. All' would have to strive for a fair d'eal all round. While on this earth we were the trustees and guardians of those who were to follow us. What were we prepared to do in New Zealand? We would have. to develop its resources to the fullest possible extent, so that the good foundatiop that was laid by the pioncers would not be lost. He had started work in the coal- mines when a boy of nine and a-half years. He knew its dangers and hardships. He had challenged many members of Parliament to come down a mine and see the conditions for themselves. More population was required for this 'country. It had a long coastlme and if more trouble should come a large number of people would' be needed to protect it. Great powers were now given for our public works, and we had in this country men who could successfully handle big jobs; our engineers were as capable as those in any part of the world. The opinions of local bodies had been asked for when plans were being made,. and their opinions had been most useful. We were not going back to the wheelbarrow age. Twelve shiploads of up-to-date machinery had been purchased for now we lived in an age of quick transport and large-scale jobs. There were now more perambulators than wheelbarrows. All pro- ! jects would be taken in the orderi of their urgency. A little time ago, an urgent call for help from flooded • areas had come from the Clutha* district, but the prompt dispatch: of 300 equipped men had saved the district. New Zealand had eleven million acres of ploughable land, and we could not alford to lose one of them. All nossible had to. be done 'to protect tftaF land "from' rivei's getting out of control. Much of the present trouble was being caused through the mistakes made in the past by cutting down bush on the hills. When - the present Government went into office the depression was upon New Zealand, and soon afterwards came the war. Yet our works had gone on. . The hydro electric power to be obtained from our rivers was very great, said Mr. Semple. The pbesent scheme in conneciion with the Waikato River would provide for

ben stations. Thus the power 'oi ihe water could be used ten times oy this method. Not only could Ihe productive powers of the water be used; but the destructive powei coulcl be kept in check. He hoped to see 500U men employed on sucb usefui work in the near future, Then we might expect to sce the whoie oi' the Maui Trunk Lint ulcctrified, and so help the coal shortage, the farmers' transpori and tne travelling public. As to the houbing question, said Mr. Semple, in i955 they iound it m an awiui condition. Ihey hact noped io build at the rale oi iu,uui) liouscs a year, but owmg to war coiKlieions were unable to keep up to that stanclard. However, in ilie first year they had completed 4000, aua had there not been a war there would not have been any no use shortage in New Zealand toaay. Sufflcient tiniber had had to oe used lor war purposes to have ouilt 37,000 workers' homes. Hospitais had required a large quanuty. He rei'erred to the late Rt. Ilon. M. J. Savage as the kindest man he had ever met. The cost of the war to New Zealand had been £640,000,000, yet not a penny had been borrowed outside the country. No other country in the world could ciaim such a satisiactory state. Mr. Nash had come througn with a credit in London of £93,000,000, which was more than it had ever been. Though there had been much talk to the ett'ect that the cost of uhe soeial seeurity legifclation was too high, and would bankrupt the country, it had proved to be a success and their motto of seeurity from the cradle to the grave still stood, with the result that people were now coming from all parts of the world to study such a great and successful scheme. The responsibility for the. successful management of a country was the people's. The Government could lead the way, but the people had to work with it. The care of the mothers was a most important duty, and all had to assist in undertaking it. He was accustomed to being abused by some people, and if they knocked off abusing him he would think that he was not doing anything that was useful. None of his party claimed to be mfallible, but hoped that at the end they could claim to have done their best. He felt confident that New Zealand had a great future ahead of it. 1 There was an atmospherq- of

general goodwill throughout the j meeting, with frequent bursts of 'applause and laughter at the speaker's ready wit. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Semple, who, in returning thanks, asked for a vote of thanks !to the chairman, which also received a good response.