APPEAL FOR MORE PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 195, 16 May 1944, Page 6

APPEAL FOR MORE PRODUCTION

Leader Of Opposition ADDRESS TO SUPPORTERS AT UPPER HUTT An apneal for the utmost effort to increase the production of foodstuffs for Britain and a warning against the Government’s intention to remove the country quota, on which, he said, the fate of the whole country depended, were the main features of an address by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, at Upper Hutt last night. .Mr. Holland, who was addressing a large meeting of members, friends and supporters of the National Party, was enthusiastically received. At the close of his. address a resolution was adopted unanimously thanking Mr. Holland for his visit and expressing confidence in him as leader and determination to do - everything possible to. ensure a National Party success in Wairarapa at the next election. Mr. J. M, Fleming presided. Afterward a social gathering was held in honour of Mr. and Mrs. J. jfaher. Mr. Maher was National Party candidate in the electorate at the last election. ... , . At the moment, while news of the opening of the second front was awaited, with the future of the whole world at stake, the people of Britain, who had already endured so much, were facing a shortage of essential foodstuffs, said Mr. Holland, stressing .the overwhelming importance of doing everything humanly possible to increase production. He quoted figures showing the decline in the Dominion’s meat killings for the period October to March last, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The fall in dairy production, he added, was so serious that, unless the deficiency could be made up from some other source, the already meagre rations of the British people would have to be still further reduced. “I know what many producers are . thinking of. the Government, said Mr. Holland, “but all of us in New Zealand are in the war, and we must not allow the fact that the conflict has moved away from our shores to dim our vision of the real picture thousands of miles away. Remarking that New Zealand today did not enjoy democratic government in the fullest sense, Mr. Holland criticized the appointment to Ministerial rank of Mr. McLagan and Mr. Wilson, who, he said, had had the opportunity of seeking election by the people, but had not taken it. He also criticized the appointment of Messrs. Barclay and Boswell as Ministers to Australia and Russia. It is a mighty poor compliment to those countries that the best men we can get to. send them are political rejects, whom our own people would not have, he said. Mr. Holland said he had reached the conclusion that 'public esteem for I arliament was not so high as it should be. People had lost patience with men who said one thing on the hustings and voted the other way in the House. In the past party leaders had taken the view that it was their responsibility to make decisions and the duty of the rank and file to follow them. He did not agree. _ The National Party, accordingly, had introduced something new into the Parliamentary system—something that he believed would be for the benefit of the people. It said that every one of its members in the House had not only the right but also the duty to according to his own convictions at all times. “If the Government introduces a measure which we think is in the best interests of New Zealand, we will vote for it,” said Mr. Holland. "If we believe it can be improved we will introduce appropriate amendments.. If we consider it bad we will oppose it with all the power at our command.” Discussing the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act, Mr. Holland said that, while rates were levied on the farmer’s land, the man who was going to find the money was surely entitled to select the men to spend it. The National Party was not opposed to everyone having a vote, but contended that, if they did, they must also share the responsibility of finding the money.