NATIONAL PARTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32307, 1 September 1943, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

“ GOOD GOVERNMENT ” HAPPINESS FOR MASSES MR HOLLAND OPENS CAMPAIGN What he termed “a five-prong programme” for a New Zealand of happy families, living in their own homes and without unemployment and avoidable sickness, was expounded by the Leader of the National Party (Mr S. G. Holland) when he opened the party’s election campaign in an address in Christchurch, last night. He said the party’s policy meant happiness for the masses, prosperity for those who did their share, and security for those who could not do their share. “We will give the people good government without class discrimination, without fear, and with -honesty and consideration for every citizen,” he said. After explaining that rural topics would be dealt with by. him when speaking in country electorates, Mr Holland said the general election gave the people the opportunity to choose their Government after comparing the policies and measuring the merits of the candidates. There was a tendency to object to other parties and independents but the National Party subscribed to the right of every man to stand for Parliament. In common, they all wanted to see a better world. They differed only in methods.

Two Labour parties were standing, one led by Mr Fraser and the other by Mr J. A. Lee. Both believed in socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange and the bureaucratic control of the people s way of life. There was a party or group organised by Mr A. E. Davy, Who had stepped. up his bid from £70,000,000 when * with Sir Joseph Ward, to £100,000,000 with an anonymous leader.

Then they had the National Party, which he described as a splendid team, mostly young, nearly all New Zealanders by 'birth, and all anxious to build a 'better New Zealand. Free Enterprise The National 'Party believed that the people were happiest when most free from Government dictation and in a system where they lived in their ( own home and ran their own farms and factories and in which the Government served the people, and not the other way round. They subscribed to a system of competitive free enterprise, in which people who worked hard were better off than those who slacked, people liked to do their own thinking, and where industry, enterprise and thrift were virtues to be rewarded rather than looked upon as indiscretions to be penalised. “A Better Government” Declaring that if he understood public opinion, the people were fed up with personalities and recriminations, Mr Holland said the people wanted the policy of the parties. They knew perfectly well whether or not they liked the Fraser Government, and he was convinced that many desired a change of Government but they were fearful lest a change might result in their jumping from the frying pan into the fire. He did not say the Government was all wrong. What he did say was thar the National;, Party would give the electorate better government. “I want to make it perfectly clear that we are not offering something for nothing, and we are not going to make a Idt of wild promises that can’t be fulfilled,” said Mr Holland. “New Zealand is fed up with promises of public works without public debt, social security and less taxation, less work and more goods, higher wages and cheaper goods.” Work For All The basis of New Zealand’s material future was a little word with a big meaning—work. The first essential was the maintenance of healthy and prosperous primary industries, and, equally important, they must promote industries giving employment to the people. Broadly speaking, the policy was under five headings—work for all; a planned attack on the causes of want; the restoration of personal freedom; justice to the parents of families; the building of homes for the people to own. After stressing the importance of rehabilitation, and explaining the party’s proposals, Mr Holland said there had grown up in New Zealand an intolerable system of State dictation, bureaucratic interference, and departmental inefficiency. The industrial licensing system created: vast

monopolies and even returning servicemen could not get licences to earn a living. The system had increased living costs and reduced supplies, while quality had deteriorated. That problem would be vigorously tackled by the National Party. Planning of Employment

Intelligent planning of employment was advocated by Mr Holland, who said the Dominion must always be careful to give Great Britain, her best customer, every consideration. His policy was to deduct from the total receipts from exports interest payments and the cost of essential imports such as oil, rubber, etc., not procurable from Britain, and to purchase the balance of raw materials not provided by local resources from the United Kingdom. Farming provided the overseas funds and the manufacturing industries the employment here. There was room for widespread expansion of manufacturing industries, but there could be no progress without industrial harmony. It had to be admitted that the worker had not always had his full share of increased production, and profit-sharing and cooperative co-partnership were schemes which would be introduced and fostered. Social Issues “The party that does only the easy thing, the popular thing, is unworthy of support,” declared Mr Holland, when discussing moral and social questions. The liquor licensing laws had become farcical. The trade, the Alliance, the man in the street, were agreed on that, and the National Party would not dodge that vital issue. The licensing laws and the liquor trade generally would be investigated by a Royal Commission, the people would express their opinion, and his l party would act. New Zealand could never become the country they strove to make it unless social cankers were removed.

“We see our goal clearly ahead,” he concluded. “The world is on the march. The rights of the common man are supreme and the gates of freedom and opportunity must he open to all. Every freedom, every right, every privilege, has its prices and its corresponding duty. Those duties are to work hard, to improve one’s knowledge, to 'he honest and upright, to practice goodwill and toleration, and to apply the principles of Christianity. The National Party pledges itself to those responsibilities.”