N.Z.'S DEVELOPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1938, Page 22

N.Z.'S DEVELOPMENT

PROGRESS UNDER LABOUR

HON. W. NASH'S REVIEW

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, October 5. "In the marketing scheme, guaranteed prices, and the social security scheme* I see the major contributions of Labour to the development of New Zealand," said the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), in an address at Temuka tonight. An audience of 600 gave the Minister a rousing reception and he spoke for two hours without interruption. For the first hour he confined himself to guaranteed prices, giving in detail the steps taken by the Government to ensure a return to the dairy farmer of a price which would enable him to meet commitments. The Minister said he had not met a working dairy farmer who desired to wreck the guaranteed price procedure. He admitted that costs had risen, but not nearly to the extent which was being made out. The Minister then dealt with the marketing scheme and detailed negotiations he had carried out during his trip overseas. He particularly stressed his efforts to induce Britain to take expanding quantities of dairy produce and told how he strenuously opposed a proposed levy by Britain on imports, for this would have meant a heavy burden which the Government would have to bear. Fortunately, Britain decided not to impose the levy and he hoped it would never be applied. Mr. Nash stressed the fact that there was an increasing demand in Britain j for New Zealand butter. He said work- j ers in Britain were asking for it, which' was evidence that they recognised and j appreciated what the Government was j doing for workers and dairy farmers in this country. I The Minister said they had not yet been able to come to agreement with the doctors, who argued that people who could afford to pay for medical attention should pay. Mr. Nash said that in these circumstances he could not visualise all people receiving the same treatment. The total income of all doctors in New Zealand last year had been taken out and he could assure them an increased return under the Government's scheme. Tlie Government would co-operate with friendly societies and do all in its power to further friendly society work and membership. ; A vote of thanks to the Minister and confidence in the Labour Govern-' ment was carried enthusiastically.