PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OR SOCIALISM?

Chronicle (Levin), 3 November 1949, Page 8

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OR SOCIALISM?

Press. Association i

" . v» - Record Meeting And Cheers For Mr. Holland

"(Per

■ AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. An audienee of about 1300 gave the Leader of the Nationai Party (Mr Holland) an enthusiastic welcome when he spoke in the Orpheus Theatre, Otahuhu, tonight. The Mayor- (Mr II. A. Murdoch) announced that the attendance was a record for a poli.tical meeting in the Otahuhu district. Interjections were iio t numerous. The meeting ended with three rousing cheers and musieul honours for Mr Holland. Mr Holland said that on tlie decision that will be taken on the last day ot this month will be determined the skape of things to come. If the Labdur Government was re-elected the coun try would go still deeper into Socialism vvith the same forms of State Control, furthfc r inllation and aecelerated state planning aiul regimenl ation The alternative was to the f orui cab ed private enterprise with its sound tio ance and lower costs. Mr Holland said that it was not cie. tomary for the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition to answe' questions at meetings except in their own electorates Htowever, a ntirnber o4 people apparently not aware of thi? cust 0111 hacl put in written question and rather tlian disappoint them he woud give answers. Explaining his views on militaip training, Mr Holland said he believed that one of the deficiencies of th.e pre sent defence systeni was that tlie term of contract for New Zealand 's perma nent forces was too short. The Aii Force term was only six to eight vears. H-e believed it would be impossihle tn recruit the neeessary personnel to en sure the liigliest cpialitv on such a term of contract. The closest eonsideration would be given to the advisability ot lengthening the terms. The brsis of valuation at which State rental houses would be offered to existing tenants would be based on situation, age. condition and number of rooms said Mr Holland. He added that the concession offered to State house tenants in 194G of being able to coun' tlieir past rent payments as part of the deposit could not be .renewed because of the increased costs.