Mr. Holland Recounts Cost Of Socialisation

Chronicle (Levin), 1 November 1949, Page 7

Mr. Holland Recounts Cost Of Socialisation

Press Association)

(Per

NAPIER, Oct. 31. : "The Goyemmeiit is so intoxi cated -with power that-it has forgotteli the riglits of people it is supposed- to serye," said the Leader of the National Party (Mr. Holland), addressing a capaeity audieiice at Napier tonight. New Zealaiid liad a Oivil Service which had beeome so dissatisfled that it was about on the point of rebellion. Industrial wreekers were defying the Government and getting avvay with it with impunity. There was a subversive element at work with tio loyalty to King or country. The Governiiient had shrunk l'roni its duty in introducing dei'ence measures because of the pressure that was applied from outside. No oue knew where next the hand of Socialism wouid fall. "Ilas anyone seen the list of industries to be taken over?" lie asked. "No oue has seen it. No oue knows wliat next Iogislation will be brought forward, and then of course it is too late. "Who will be next? Is it to be the stock and station agents wliom the Socialists hate? Is it to be the iniporters? Will it be the shipping service between the North and South Islands, or will it be the road transport indnstry?" he asked. To return Labour to the Treasury benches, said Air. Ilolland, nieant surely that more iiulustries would be soeialised and more businesses taken over. Sinee the Government had owned the Reserve Bank so nmeh nioney had been pumped into cireiilat ion that Ihe purehasing power of the people had been praetieally halved. Although the Government had taken over the Bank of New Zealaiul tliere had been 110 advantages to the eoun try, but the people were £25,000 a year worse off. Privately-owned airwavs had provided a good service at a pro fit, but the Government took ovei seiwiuh^:and .laivt-y.ear opet at(-d them at a loss of £265.000. The Railway Department whieh had made an operating protit oi £1,1S9,0('(! in 1040 was this year biulgeting for a loss of £2.000,000 The road serviees had been ex panded by buying oiit many p ivate businesses ;md the turnover liad .creased froi.. £500.000 to £1.900,000. But the prnfit had risen onlv from £25,000 to £27,000 Last year £1,900, (.00 was added to the tax bill through the State control of eoalmines. Internal .Marketing Department losses of £672,000 whieh had not been debitcd direetlv to tlu taxpayei had been eharged to the Wai1 Expenses Aeeount. Onekaka — the • ",000,000 flop"— had not pro dueed 5ewt. of iron and steel. The Government had entered llie sera])iroii business, eontraeL ing to su])plv 75.000 I * s of scrapiron to the Fnited Ktates. Onlv 9000 tons eould be mustered when the Ameriean ships arri.e.l and Ihe Government had paid £75,000 damages when thr.-atc'n>d with .legal aetiom. "That is where your money has gone, " Mr. Holland said. ITe was given a warm rooeption wii praetieal.^. no interjeetions.