LEADER EXPLAINS PARTY’S ATTITUDE

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1948, Page 5

LEADER EXPLAINS PARTY’S ATTITUDE

P.A. WELLINGTON, April 2. At the caucus of the Parliamentary Opposition held at Parliament Buildings to-day, questions of political importance and public interest, including national defence, industrial unrest, living costs, and Communism were discussed. In a review of the proceedings, issued after the caucus, Mr S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, said it had been fully attended. A full agenda had been dealt with. Reports of members on conditions in various parts of New Zealand had been of value in providing a picture of the present state of the country. These had indicated there were several matters of national importance calling urgently for decisive action. With reference to industrial holoups, he said, the caucus had discussed continued defiance of the law by certain militant and mostly Com-munist-dominated unions. The caucus had reaffirmed its view that fearless, impartial enforcement of the law, as it affected both employers and employees, was the first duty of the Government in office. The party took the view that industrial harmony was vital to progress. The party was convinced that the great majority of unionists were satisfied with the existing provisions for hearing of disputes, and were wary of being drawn into an endless series of disturbances.

AGAINST DIRECT ACTION He said: “The present unsatisfactory position arose, largely, from the fact that those who had defied the law had invariably obtained greater benefits than those who had complied with it. This placed a premium on direct action”.

SECRET BALLOTS He continued: “The Opposition stands four square by its policy of the secret ballot on all strike issues, with appropriate penalties for those who disregard this provision. We have complete confidence in the modification and good sense of the average New Zealander, and believe that, if he were free of fear of victimisation by ruthless minorities, and had the right of a properly supervised secret ballot, much industrial unrest would be eliminated”.

DEFENCE POLICY The members of the Opposition had expressed concern, m view, of the disturbed international situation, that the Government had not seen fit to announce its defence policy. It was a matter which, in other countries, was rightly regarded as of the utmost importance. General Marshall, the American Secretary of State, had recently observed that the only way to win war was to prevent it. It was obvious that a state of military unpreparednC% could be an invitation to an aggressor, thus hastening war. Modern technical developments had made speed in the mobilising of defensive forces more important than ever, but. in spite of obvious facts of the situation, the Government in New Zealand had been silent on the subject. The Opposition, said Mr Holland, held that an adequate defence policy was part of New Zealand's obligations as a member of the British Empire, and a partner of the Motherland. The party caucus, therefore, was of opinion that the Government should make a statement on this urgent matter without delay. THE RAILWAYS The attention of the causus was drawn to the serious and continuing decline in railway revenue, he said, and to mounting losses incurred in the operation of the service. These, it was reported, • now added about £4,000,000 annually to the burden shouldered by the taxpayer, and this notwithstanding recent substantial increases in railway freights anu fares. In view of this, the Caucus considered that a thorough public enquiry into th fi operation of the entire transport system of New Zealand, including railway, road, sea and air services, was urgently required. Consideration was also given to petrol rationing, Mr Holland said. The attitude of the Caucus was that the present system was unsatisfactory and inequitable. There was a lack of flexibility about it which meant that, while some people appeared to have more petrol than they needed, others were seriously handicapped. It would be better to revert, to the former system than to continue with the present unsatisfactory method. Local conditions and requirements in various areas did not appear to receive adequate consideration. Opposition . members were of the strong opinion that a greater degree of decentralisation was necessary.

import regulations Another subject discussed tvas im-

port restrictions. Flere it was felt that, in view of an urgent need for British trade expansion, all restrictions on the importation of British goods should be removed as soon as possible. Reports, he said, were received from various parts of New Zealand of chaotic conditions arising from import licensing. It was stated that, in some cases, goods far in excess of requirements had been imported, w'hile in other cases licenses had been refused for goods that were essential to the economy of the country and to the needs of the public. Delays in the issue of licences had imposed difficulties on the business community, and emphasised the need fo r an overhaul of the system. NATIONALISTIC ORGANISATION T ~ J With reference to the New Zealand political situation, Mr Holland said that, as the result of his recent observations in various of New Zealand, h® had been able to report that the National Party’s organisation was in a healthv condition, and that continued development of . its junior organisation was a particularly encouraging feature.