LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Evening Star, Issue 21750, 19 June 1934, Page 8

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

PROBLEMS FACING THE COUNTRY [Pb« Unhid Peess Association.] OTAKI, June 19. Addressing a crowded audience last night the Leader of the Opposition, Mr M. J. Savage, stated that the problem of production Lad already been solved. The main problem facing the country .to-day was one of distribution generally. He agreed that the present depression was the result not of scarcity, but of wealth in quantities, which were beyond the people’s buying power. It was difficult to understand why people should be allowed to_ suffer on account of the maldistribution of wealth, which was rapidly bringing the country to a state of bankruptcy. Falling prices, which had resulted from the short supply of money in circulation, had about doubled the real burden of private and public debts during recent, years. Every reduction in the buying power of the people meant falling prices, which in effect increased the burden of the debt. The time had come for planned economy, which would ensure that the purchasing power was kept apace with the boundless possibilities of production. The dairy farmers were in need or immediate relief and the coming session of Parliament should give urgent attention to -providing ways and means to that end. Delay meant the sacrifice of hundreds of good farmers, who had spent large sums of money as well as the labour of a lifetime to bring the country to its present state of productivity. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence in the Labour Party, and demanding the dissolution of Parliament not later than at the end of the period for which it was elected, was enthusiastically carried.