MR. FRASER'S ADDRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 94, 17 October 1940, Page 13

MR. FRASER'S ADDRESS

UNITY & SOLIDARITY

NEEDS OF THE TIMES

Addressing; the conference, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said fhat since the conference first met \ the tide of war had rolled nearer ito New Zealand's shores. He did not desire at the moment to go into, details or over-stress that "aspect of '.the question, but, nevertheless, it \ was an aspect that had to be kept fe mind all the time. No man could sky what the future or the near future had in store for this country, and it was more necessary and more urgsent at the present time to throw all measures that would tend towards cohesion and solidarity in this country into', the effort required than "before,-even a few weeks ago. . ~ \ . • ■;

The conference, said ; Mr. Fraser, would consider the report today and, if necessary, tomorrow also.. The main object of the conference was to get together in friendly co-opetiative consultation representatives of, all seci tions of the community engaged in the work of production and distribution so that, after a thorough examination of : the problem, they could arrive at .some ; means of helping the country during this most difficult time. The\very economic foundations of. .this country .were being. shaken, and there was.the .danger of. the very, rapid cycle-of prices and wages . and. of. costs rising causing .that friction, that animosify, and those . antagonisms that would, unless restraint and proper direction were exercised, inevitably destroy the country's unity in the crisis in which it was engaged. The first object, of the conference was to get the greatest -measure o-f unity.to enable some basis to be arrived at upon which all interests, could, work.

Mr. Fraser, on behalf of the Government, thanked the delegates for assembling again, and expressed the hope that the deliberations of the conference would be fruitful of results that would help the country to contribute its greatest, measure in the fight for democracy and freedom. He again emphasised- that the.work of the country must be carried.on with the greatest possible'efficiency, and that, above all, unity and solidarity were the first pre-requisjtes of success. Acting on the domrhittee's recommendation, the, conference then went into committee to : consider the report.