FREEDOM OR SOCIALISM?

Chronicle (Levin), 22 November 1946, Page 4

FREEDOM OR SOCIALISM?

-T- ■■ MAIN ELECTION ISSUE CLAIMS MR. J. J, MAHER

Ppeedom or sqcialism. Tljat was the njain issue at stake in the eoming election, said Mrf J. J, Maher, the Nationai Party candidate for Otaki, when making a final appeal to the electors of Levin at a meeting in the Century Hall last night. If the present Governrnent was restored to ppwer it would put a stranglehold on everyone who owned a piece of lund, he contended. ^Whetfier you like nie or not," he added, "it will be your duty on tfiut date, to look carefully at the Labour policy — -if they have one. You Uj*e the judge and you are the jury. On you rests the de- ; cision of whether we shall have freedom or regimentation. I'll await your verdict."

The speaker received heartening ovations during the eourse of his address. There were a few ipterjections, but these were confined to a small section at the rear of the hall, who were also quick to seize the opportunity of putting questions to the speaker at the close of the afidress. The Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, introduced the speaker to ihe ♦ audience. Mr. Maher opened the meeting by referring to an accusation he claimed had been made by his opponent, that he had had to call on influential membefs of .the Nationai Party to speak in the Otaki electorate 011 his behalf. Mr. Thorn, he said, had no groufids for compjaint in this regard, as he understood, Mr. Semple had recently been assisting the Labour cause in this electorate. He also quoted Miss Howard as another .sxample. During the last election he added, he had three Labour Ministers speaking against him, an^in addition two visits had been paid to the electorate, by Mr. Nasfi. In this election, his3 opponent had also been given the privilege of broadcasting, and he considered that Mr. Thorn had had a fair advantage over him. Ultimate Socialism "The Prime Minister is trying to disassociate himself from his party's policy of ultimate socialism," said Mr. Maher when" attacking the Government's methods. "He reminds me of a man who is bejng.followed by a mangy dog. He attempts to disown it, but every time you see him you also see the dog. It knows its master." Since the Labour Governrnent had been in power it-had socialised the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and had now every intention of socialising the rest of the banks: It had abolished the country quota, it had taken over the airways, and there were now murmurings of a proposed move by the Governrnent to take over the inter-islahd shipping. "They say they will not do this," he continued, "but what notice can you take of a Governrnent which breaks its promises so easily. If .we. are in power after the 27th we are going to hand back the Bank of New Zealand to those to whom it belongs. The people will be permitted to hold the majority of the shares." Outlook for the Press "If this ever happens look out for the Press," said Mr. Maher, when commenting 011 a staternent made recently that the Governrnent proposed establishing State paper mills. The Governrnent had virtually accused the Press of not presenting the truth. In my opinion the Press are the protectors of the people of this country," he continued. "It stands second to none in the world, and I am firmly of the opinion that the Governrnent has 110 grounds for complaint. They have had a fair deal from the Press." Taxation on Benzlne "What is going to happen to the hundreds and thousands of distributors of benzine if the Governrnent takes that over," asked MrMaher. It was no wonder, he'sgid, that it was Joath to reduce taxation 011 this commodity. There should have been a reduction of tax 011 benzine as soon as the war was over, he contended, but the Governrnent was not in favour of cutting any taxes. Mr. Semple believed he could spend the people's money better than the people fchemselves. "If we are the next Governrnent of New Zealand we will reduce the taxation on petrol overnight. We will reduce it by 4d a gallon." - . Rehabilitation There had been a lot of unnecessary delay in the rehabilitation of returned men, with the result that they had lost heart and given up trying. It was purely a "wearing down policy." "That sort of thing is not going to happen if we are in power," he added. "There will be no delays and we will see that there are experienced men to take the soldiers under their wing. A "Cruel Lie" An allegation that the Nationai Party would ipterfere with social security, the 40-hour week, or the civil servants- was nothing but "a cruel lie," said Mr. Maher. The Nationai Party would make social

security even more secure. The 40hour week would fifit be interfered with-' "it was entitled to0a gopd trial and he contended it had not had one. "I personally consider that if we are going to increase production we should work harder and iofiger, but the Nationai Pftrty wiU' not intprfere with th'e 40-hour week,. I give you that assurance." Primary Production The aim of the party was to increase primary production and in nis opinion the eccnomy of the country depended 0:1 this. Exports would also be increased. If priees receded our sheds would not be fufi Qf butter and meat. Brit^in wanted ah the g'oods she could get from New Zealand. She needed it badly. "Cruicifying" Taxation The present Governrnent had imposed crucifying taxation and this was aff ecting . production, M1'Nash was after every penny he could get, with the result that taxation had increased fourfold. Taxation had been reduced in every cther country but New Zealand. Mr. Nash had lost the confidepce of the farmers, continued Mr. Maher. Through *.hi3 refusal to abide by the deeision pf a special tribunal set up to invostig'ate the price of butterfat, he had "cheated the farmers of £1^ million a year." The farmers had already expressed a. vote of no-confidence in MrNash. "Though he has given up the iportfolio of Minister of Marketing, he is still the man behind the 'scenes," continued Mr. Maher. "His is in fact a pure dictatorship. Re icontrols the Governrnent." Even the babies were taxed to'day, said Mr. Maher. The very milk bottles and rubber teats were I taxed. "As soon as it is born, a baby fis taxed, and it is taxed till it reaches the grave." Shortage of Goods "You woifid Rot be gettipg : tobacco now if the election had riot Ibeen approaching," claimed Mr. ; Maher, when commenting on the ! present shortage of certain goods. He said the Governrnent was disitributing tobacco to influence the voters. "I am always being asked why I iwear the same shirt, but I hqve ionly got the one. I had to go down ,on my knees to get a suit." Attitude to UniQnisin "If I had my way I'd make all _ those unions disgorge the money taken off those youngsters who have barely left school." The system the unions worked on was, in his personal opinion not Briti.sh justice, and it should not . be stood for. Housing When reviewing his party's attitude towards housjng, Mr. Maher said he considered it the best plank in their policy. All other works would take secohd priority. Houses would eome first. "We geared ourselves up for war. Why can't we do the same in regard to housing" he contended. The Soldiers' Yotes "The Governrnent has mo proof that it was in fact the duly elected Governrnent, (sspd Mr. Maher, when referring| the fact that there had been no access in New Zealand to the soldiers' votes. An interjector: That's a sjight 011 the Governor-General. Mr: Maher: I am not assoeiating the Governor-General with the Governrnent Tff this country. He led our soldiers in both wars with honour. Have a look at the Ministers you're assoeiating him with and see if you can say the same. Interjector: He had jurjsdictipn over the voting. He was the man responsible for appointing those who dealt with votes. Mr. Maher: The GovernorGeneral postponed voting until the soldiers had all the informatipn possible. He did all he could to see that tfie soldiers had an opportunity of recprding their votes. It was the obligation of the Prime Minister to see that voting was carried out in the proper way. At the close of his address, which lasted for one and a-half hours, Mr. Maher answered several questions on policy matters. A vote of eonfidence in him as ihe official candidate for the dis- | trict of the Nationai Party, ancL in ■ Mr. Holland as its leader, was carried.