LABOUR'S ACHIEVEMENTS

Chronicle (Levin), 26 November 1946, Page 2

LABOUR'S ACHIEVEMENTS

Mr. Fraser's Final Message STANDARD OF PROSPERITY "Tomorrow the pakeha electors, as the Maori electors do today, exercise their democratic right to vote in secrecy and in perfect freedom. I strongly urge all electors to exercise their right and privilege tomorrow and to accept their responsihility as citizens by voting," said the Prime Minister JAt. Hom P. praser) in his final message to the electors issued in Palmerston N.orth yesterday. "No democratic country anywtyere enjoys freedom to a greater extent than does New Zealand. The Labour Party will always, as it has done in the past, be the champion of the rights of all the people. ' ' The Labour Party' faces this election with complete conlideiice. Under Labour freedom has been attained in fulJer measure than at any other time in New Zealand 's history. Freedom from want has been aehieved for the first time. This is the result of qur deliberate and well pianned policy. We hold that everyone has the right to live happily and in economic security. The Labour Govcrnment 's legislation has cstablished the conditions to givo effect to this fundamental human right. "In the space of cleven years, including six years of war, poverty has been abolislicd in New Zealand. For the iirst time the inass of tho people have been liberated from the fear of want th rough old age, siekness, invalidity, widowhood, and uncmployment. "Prosperity with security has eoinc to the farnier under Labour 's guaranteed jirice system and thc policy of loug tcrm contracts with the United Kingdom. "Good wages and improved working conditions have been established for all classes of workers, and for the first time Ihe position of agricultural workers has been raised to a level comparable with that of other workers. "Manufacturers have ncver enjoyed greater cncouragement or opportunity than under the Labour Govcrnment and business people have nover so consistcntly prospered. "Labour has built a standard of living aiid a levcl of social progress unexeclled anywhere in the world. These have been built ou a firm foundation and safeguardcd by a policy of economic stabilisation which cnsures the full worth of everyone 's earnings and everyone 's savings. "Thc people were ncver more seeure in their land, their hornes, their businesses, and their savings than they are under Labour 's rule. "The fullest educational opportunity is today the right of every boy and girl, both Maori and pakeha, in the Dominion. Prior to the advent of the Labour Government it was the privilege of those in a favoured position. Tho right established by Labour has been freely availed of, and the appreeiation of New Zealand 's youth for this reform is demonstrated by tlie fact that the nnmliftr of Tttii voraitv 1i n a

doubled in a decade. Opportunities for education and for worth while careers were ncver so freely available for the vouth of New Zealand as they are to-s day. " Lffective rehabilitation plans have assured returned servieemcn of every opportunity of successful rehabilitation. "The electors will not be deceived by the Xationalist pretensions that they ncver opposed Labour 's beneficial legislation. "The only way to be sure of the gains which you have aehieved uiuler Labour is to retain the Government whose ideals have been given practical form in its legislation. "Tlie eleetion issue is clear. Does New Zealand march on in freedom, prosperity and security for everyone, or rctreat to the insecurity, poverty, and social injustiees of the past? "I have just completed an extensive tour of New Zealand, and every where I liave had tlie outstanding impression of progress and ]>rosperity. Best of all has been the expressed contentment of tlie people, both young and old. Never lieforc in my long Parlianientary and administrative experience have I heard so many and empliatic assurances of appreeiation of the Labour Party 's nnlie.v.

"I feel sure that the electors will again express this conlideiice in 110 uneertain voiee, and again givc tlie T.abour Government a delinite and deeisive maudate to go forward with its policy of making our nation and our people the most prosperous and the .most kappy on earth. "