WORK OF LABOUR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32312, 13 September 1943, Page 5

WORK OF LABOUR

HON. SULLIVAN’S ADDRESS MEETING HELD AT NGATEA ONLY SMALL ATTENDANCE Before some 60-odd people the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply, spoke in the Ngatea Hall on Friday evening on the work of the Labour Government during the last eight years and was given an attentive and sympathetic hearing. Mr C. W. Parfitt, chairman of the Hauraki Plains County ’ Council presided. Mr Sullivan expressed pleasure at being able to visit the district for the first time and to support Lt.-Col. Robinson, the official Labour candidate for the Hauraki seat. He spoke highly of the candidate whom he termed a “distinguished and capable man.” Referring to t"he dairy industry Mr Sullivan said he had not had a great contact with it to date although of recent months as Minister in Charge of Stabilisation he had been brought into closer contact with the farmers. His main contact with the producers had been with the wheat growers of the South Island. This section of the farming industry was to-day, he contended, in a sounder position than it was before the Labour’ Government came into power. Protection had been given to the industry and wheat had been imported only when there was a shortage in the country. His relations with the industry had been entirely happy. Stabilisation His other connection with the industry had been in the growing of tobacco which was on the increase and with linen flax. Dealing with stabilisation and its effect on the dairy industry he outlined the steps taken by the Government to secure a basis to assist the farmers. A committee representing both the Government and the industry had investigated, the position and brought down a unanimous report which to-day the Government had implimented. He expressed the hope that the Spirit of co-operation would continue to exist between the Government and the industry.

On September 25, added the Minister, the people would have the opportunity of showing their feeling towards the past legislation. He pointed out that the National Party was claiming complete independence for its members in the House therefore there was no unity in the organisation. This, he contended, would result in rather strange happenings occurring in Parliament. If the National Party was placed in power Cabinet would have no assurance that they would be supported in any step they might take. This in his opinion would result in an election after every meeting of Parliament. Held In High Esteem

New Zealand to-day held a high position in the estimation of the other parts of the British Empire and with the Allied Nations, saying it had never been held in higher esteem than it was to-day. He referred to the high tribute paid to'the Hon. F. Jones by the Hon. Winston Churchill, who had said that from the outbreak of the wall- NewZealand had never put a foot wrong, president Roosevelt had expressed similar sentiments in a letter to the Hon. W. Nash just prior to his return from Washington. Mr Sullivan referred to the outstanding feats performed by New Zealanders in all the theatres of war. A great English newspaper had referred to New Zealand as the “greatest atom of the British Empire.” New Zealand under the Labour Government had earned the admiration of all the world, said Mr Sullivan. Continuing, Mr Sullivan paid a high tribute to the Prime Minister, the Hon. p. Fraser, claiming that he was an exceptional leader and admired by all who knew him. Dealing with the internal affairs of New Zealand he referred back to the days of the depression, stating that political parties could be judged by their past. He criticised the action of the Coalition Government of the depression days which reduced wages, cut pensions and stopped public works which resulted in the people hiking into the cities to secure the pittance which was handed out to them there. The Labour Party, he contended, had told the Coalition Government that such reductions only meant ruin as they realised that when the purchasing power of the people was reduced then inevitably unemployment had to increase. He touched on the sufferings of that period and the shortages which the people had to' endure. Policy Reversed The Labour Party had promised the people at that time that if returned to power they would reverse the policy,

restore pensions, raise wages and start the public works again. The Labour Party was returned to power and they carried out what they had promised and in three years prosperity had replaced poverty and everybody had a hopeful outlook. The Labour Government was accordingly returned to power.

To-day the National Party was promising not to interfere with Social Security, nor to reduce wages or pensions and admit to-day that mistakes were made in 1930 to 1’935. In fact, the National Party were now promising to carry out the Labour policy if only they were returned to the Treasury Benches. A Voice; “They haven’t got a hope.” The Labour Government stood for the full development of all the country’s reserves both in primary and secondary industries. Factories had increased by 1000 or 1100 in the last few years or at the rate of three a week. This had resulted in a large number of people being provided with employment. After the war these industries would have to be dispersed as it was not desirable to have them as concentrated as they were to-day. Industries Developed Mr Sullivan explained that the standard of living enjoyed by a population was governed by the production of the people and this .was why the Labour Government had assisted in

the development of the industries. These industries also help to absorb the boys and girls leaving school each year and would greatly assist in the work of rehabilitation of servicemen after the ward. He referred to the making of woolpacks from New Zealand flax* saying that if it had not 'been for the war the country would have been producing sufficient woolpacks to meet the whole requirements of the country. He added he looked forward to the time when New Zealand would also be able to supply Australia with woolpacks and grain sacks also.

Munition manufacture had also been greatly increased in the time of crisis and to-day New Zealand was not only able to supply all the munitions the New’ Zealand forces needed but were supplying her Allies also. Supply authorities' from othei’ Allied countries had stated that New Zealand was doing a magnificent job in the production of munitions. Linen flax was another field into which New Zealand had entered. When the call had come from Britain for help New Zealand had responded and production had been wonderfully increased while factories had been established and military requirements had been manufactured. Ship-build-ing had also been developed during the War and to-day ships built in New Zealand were doing great work in the 'Pacific War Zone. The Labour Government had done a worth-while job in developing the industries of the countries, claimed Mr Sullivan. Land Settlement Bill Touching on the Land Settlement Bill Mr Sullivan said this had been put through Parliament to protect servicemen when it came to a time for rehabilitation. The Labour Government was endeavouring to avoid the losses and suffering of rehabilitation after the last war. Servicemen were now assured that the price of any land they purchased would be such that they could make a success for sure. No land owner would have taken'from him all his land. Every man would be at least left sufficient land for a one-man farm. Housing was also dealt with by Mr Sullivan who said that as soon as war conditions allowed them the Government would continue with the building of homes both in towns and in the country. In conclusion he asked for support for the Labour 'Party’s candidate for Hauraki seat, Lt.-Col. Robinson. Mr H. E. Hill moved a motiton of thanks to Mr Sullivan for his address and a vote of confidence in the Labour Government. This was seconded by Mr J. W. Neate and carried by acclamation. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. I