UNDER FIRE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume V, Issue 457, 26 June 1937, Page 7

UNDER FIRE

LABOUR GOVERNMENT Socialism Not Wanted Palmerston N.. June 25. Referring generally to the policy of the present Government, Mr. O. C. Mazen J rb, of Wellington, in the course of an address under the aupices of ths Nation: 1 party, declared that Labour 1J d no mandate to make such a complete change in the economic structure of the country, and if a referendum of the people was taken now- there- would be a big majority dec l ring ag- inst the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. Mr. Savage had declared that there were smiling faces everywhere. (Cheers end applause). Mr. Muzengarb was proceeding with his when a man in the audience objected, and, amidst much hilarity, ha i ngued Mr. Mazengarb and asked for a policy speech. He' was. asked to- sit down by the •sergeant of police. Mr. Maze-ngi.rb directed attention to promises by Mr. Savage that une'miploy'nienit would: be solved, - th) t the sales tax would be removed, and the like, in twelve months. Voices: Who said twelve months? Mr. Mazengbrb: Mr. Sempra for one. And those promises were like the platform of a railway carriage —simply to get ill on. There were further intprruptiops and interjections, which led Mr. Maze-ngarb t-o-issk why it was tnat Labour supporters were so resentful of criticism of the Government’s policy. If Labour’s policy was in the host interests of the country it should be able to 1 stand the biggest of hammerings. (Applause ) “It would pay these gentlemen who rare

interjecting to listen to what I have to say,” he- added.

Coot of Living. Mr. Savage had’ declared, said Mr. Mjazengarb, that fhtre'w/s nothing to fear, but was any business man hafe from the socialistic trend? The one grain of comfort , for the farmer was that he wras to be the last. Mr. Savage- had also said h.g, was not going to allow the cost of living to go up, but it had, .as everyone knew, and the increase wa t . just about absorbing the increase in ,wagss, ■ What ,of pie ..future? . The election next y<ar must inevitably be between socialism and regulated capitalism. And by regulation of industry h e .. not [ mean its being taken over and run by the Government. The issue before the people- wat, were they prepared to proceed’ further’ with the skids on, for the soci lisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange? if the people were not so prepared, then next year they must vote for a new Government. He did not like the tactics of thd Labour party in 'trying to get the goodwill of the people and then annihilate them by State competition. Quite Satisfactory. Answering a question, Mr Mazengarb said it was recognised that there were certain spheres in which State control was quite satisfactory, and he named' railways and the post office. But such things as cottags budding were certainly not spheres for the Government to operate in, and he believed that, if the Government had its chance over again, it would not have ventured into the present State housing scheme as it had done. The speaker urged his -audience to. vote for the candidate with' brains and 1 not for the one who was a mere Puppet. Asked for his policy, Mr. Mazengarb said he would stop the mad march to Socialism; he would stop allow free play for individual initiative and not keep everybody down on the same level; he would give every opportunity to the skilful worker to earn rail he could and not bo paid just what the un: killed man could get.