Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1938. PROSPERITY POLITICS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1938. PROSPERITY POLITICS.

* 'J'HE theme of the speech in which the Prime Minister found himself so admirably on terms with an enthusiastically friendly audience at the "Wellington Town Hall on Wednesday night seems to have been that Labour rule in New Zealand equals prosperity and that rule by anyone else equals depression. In the extent to which they are able to establish that contention, Mr Savage, and his associates no doubt will ensure for .themselves a long term in office, but the matter will be put to the test eventually, if it be not sooner tested in other ways, when Labour is called upon to govern in a period of low world prices for the export products which constitute an all-important part of this country’s available resources. In Australia, as everyone knows. Labour governments have not found themselves to be possessed of . a philosopher’s stone enabling them to ward off depression and to insulate their country against its effects. It is, of course, for the electors of the Dominion to determine individually and independently for themselves how far in their own experience the not unduly modest claims made by Mr (Savage and,his supporters are justified. As to the future, an entrancing picture was painted by the Prime Minister in his confident prediction of a continuing great expansion of production and of national wealth which will enable the country to bear even such burdens as are now being imposed. Practical minds, disciplined bv experience of ups and downs in national and individual fortune, will want to know, however, justhow that expansion is to be brought about. Is it suggested, for example, that the value of exports, which increased from 48.3 millions in the year ended hebiuaij, 1936, to 65.1 millions in the year ended February, 1938, will expand bv an equal amount in the next two years'? Or are we ‘to expect an expansion of internal manufacturing -which will correspondingly build up the national income? Some development of the kind is needed to give substance to the Prime Minister’s rosy picture of tomorrow. These are questions to which. Labour spokesmen very reasonably may be expected to address themselves in concrete and explicit terms in the course of the campaign which was formally opened by Mr Savage on "Wednesday evening.