Mr. K. J. Holyoake Given Rousing Reception In Otaki

Chronicle (Levin), 21 November 1949, Page 2

Mr. K. J. Holyoake Given Rousing Reception In Otaki

"We leave the issue confidently in your hands. Give us the opportunity. We toelieve the only way we can progress is to pull together and not divide. Do you realise and do you see the fundamentals, whether we are to have dictatorship or freedom, whether we should follow the road of socialism, or whether we should backtrack to the personal freedoms we knew a few years ago. We can argue about 101 'dilferent things, bu:t underlying all are the fundamental principles. The signposts are clear for everybody to read. They show clearly that if we continue to follow the socialist road we will end up with a Communist 'dictatorship. Countries that have followed the socialist road have lost completely their freedom and their individual liberty." These were the comments of the Deputy-Leader of the National Party, Mr. K. J. Holyoake, in the course of his address at Otaki on Friday night. "I hope I can always be fair an'd generous. The Labour party have unfortunately decided not to talk about their policy. Why don't they put socialism on their policy I have not come here to talk alarmist stuff, but to give you the facts. The older men of the Labour Party have, although they were violent and very red a few years ago, become more moderate. But the left wing, the younger members, would like to get control and if they do we would go down the socialist road much quicker. Their objective "is the ultimate socialisation of the means of production, distribution, and exehange." Interjector: Communism! Mr. Holyoake: There is no •difference, only the method of approach. The only difference is that the Communist is in a bit of a hurry and he wants to get there overnight. Today the Government dictates. There are too many forms, too many licenses and too many permits. It's a question of socialism or free enterprise. #• Inflation Dangers. "Inflation is the cruellest hoax any Government can play on its people. It hits everybody, but it hits the wage earner the hardest," declared the speaker. "Inflation is inseparable from war, but the present Labour Government 'has tried little to cure the problems of inflation. As a result of inflation, over the last 10 years, there is now twice as much money in New Zealand and only eight per cent more goods. The value of money has depreciated tremendously, and paper curreney is easier to create, 'but it has no •backing of goo'ds and services." Continuing, Mr. Holyoake said that under the Act in 1936, Mr. Nash was given complete power.to control the Reserve Bank currency, adding that the latter had used that power politically. "We say. that the solution is to take the power away from Mr. Nash. We will set up financial machinery to control the currency. The way to cure inflation is to produce more goods. The National Party policy is based on incentives for producing more goods and services, when your £ will buy more." Increased Taxation. "From 1936 to 1946 taxation has increased tremendously. I will be fair, and take into consideration that there „ has been a war, but look at what other countries, our sister Dominions, are doing. Australia and Canada have made substantial reductions in taxation e'very year since the war. This year Australia will reduce taxes by £36,000,000. Mr. Nash proposes to increase taxation here by £2,000,000." The speaker went on to cite comparisons between the amount of tax paid by wage eUrners in Australia and New Zealand. -"In Australia the man on £400 a year pays £14 in direct taxation. In New Zealand- the same man would pay £41. On £500, in Australia he would pay £26, and here he pays £65. On £800 in Australia he would pay £60; here in New Zealand he pays £116. If our sister Dominions can make huge reductions in taxation, we say our country should be at least starting along the roa'd to reduce. But no, Mr. Nash promises a further increase. The Prime Minister can't 'disassociate his mind from slumps, and in true 'Sempelian' languagei in Christchurch the Minister of Works said 'an economie blizzard is approaching New Zealand.' "If an economic blizzard is approaching, then we say it's about time we got some of the canvas off the s'hip of State. We have been proceeding in this country under a full head of sail, with every stitch of canvas in use. Its time we got the topsail down and the spinnacker in. The National Party will definitely reduce taxes. We have got to say to ,you that at present we don't know how much wei caii do in this direction. It would take more than a Philadelphia lawyer to work that one out." A voice: Give us back our freedom.' - • • M!r. Holyoake: If we lighten

taxes we will give you some freedom to spend your own money. - Continuing, he said that if there was a surpius of £11,500,000 the Nationalists would use it to get taxation down. The Government Statistician had said that the surpius in the Budget was £14,000,000, "but Mr. Nash won't let go. Ha says it is £2,500,000. ° We will reduce taxes in sueh a way as to reduce the cost of living. We believe we can reduce taxes by 10 per cent." Loss On Railways. -"For 60 years the New Zealand Railways made a profit on working expenses, until Mr. Semple got hold of them," said Mr. Holyoake. "In 1947-48 he made a loss of £3,800,000, and you have got to pay taxes to make up this loss. Each year the Minister of Railways goes to greater heights, and this year he proposes to lose £4,700,000." When this statement drew laughter, the speaker said: "Thank goodness you can still laugh, and have kept your sense of humour." As a result of Labour's policy of running them, the coal mines could not pay either. They had lost £1,800,000, last year and this year they proposed to lose £2,100,000. The new slogan could be, "The more coal we use the more money we lose." Loss On Airways. "Previously there were two privately owned airways which paid taxation, but the Labour Party hated to see anyone making a profit and paying taxes, so they took them over and in the first year made a loss of almost £250,000. This is the ric'h man's way of travel. Why should you have to pay in taxes part of his fare. "The previous Government got the best advice on producing iron i and steel, but the Labour Party said the Government should own iron and steel works. They have •been in trouble ever since and apart from a loss of £267,000, there is, in Mr. Maher's words, 'njt enough iron and steel in the country to shoe a donkey with.' I ara not sure what donkey he has m mind," the speaker added amidst laughter. The Potato Shortage. •'The potato is the only vegetable under 'control today. and it has disappeared. . They usually do one thing or the other when this Government takes them over. They disappear or go much higher in price. As a result of planning they made a loss of thousands of pounds over last year's imports, and now there are no 'spuds.' They have planned them off the face of the earth. We are planning to get rid of the Labour Party the same way." Mr. Holyoake dealt with a number of other topics during his address. Sustained applause greeted a motion "of appreciation of the straightforward and gentleman.y manner in which Mr. Holyoake had delivered his address," moved at the conclusion of the address by Mr. E. J. Graham. A motion offering the speaker thanks and appreciation of his great serviee to the National Party, and stating that as a result of his masterly broadcast address earlier in the week, success was assured for the party, was moved by Mr. J. D. Avery and also carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks was also passed to the Mayor,- Mr. C. F. Atmore, for presiding.