POLITICAL ISSUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1938, Page 8

POLITICAL ISSUES

MINISTER OF EDUCATION AT TAURANGA DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT’S LEGISLATION LABOUR AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TAURANGA, June 2.

The Minister of Education, the Hon P Fraser, addressed a public meeting in the Town Hall last night. There was an audience of about 500 and he was given a cordial reception. Mr Fraser dealt at length with Labour’s promises and what had been accomplished. It was impossible in the time available to do all that we desired, but, given the opportunity, they would implement the whole of their policy. It had been asserted that Labour had a minority vote of the electors. ■ Although this was true, it was also true of governments since 1912. Yet all had carried on. When people understood the issue at the next election they would not hesitate to give Labour a substantial majority.

The Minister said he would not attack the Press, as it invariably did what he expected—attack Labour. He did not blame editors or leader-writers who were paid to do as they were directed. An examination of the share lists of the larger papers would reveal that shareholders were interested in other concerns affected by Labour’s policy. The violence of leading articles and the use of headlines now until the election would surprise even the most hardened.

Dealing with Mr Hamilton’s assertion that he would abolish compulsory unionism, the Minister said it would mean to the workers the loss of the present improved conditions, and sweating, particularly among women and children, would again be rampant. It had to be remembered, said the Minister that Labour could not wave its arms and bring down money from the clouds; it could come only from the country’s production. Labour had no desire to interfere with legitimate private enterprise. Every industry assisted under the Industrial Efficiency Act had been assisted at the request of the industry itself. The Minister detailed the special legislation enacted. He did not blame the past Government for the depression, but for intensifying it. Labour had given a fairer distribution of wealth to the country instead of allowing it to remain in comparatively few hands. Referring particularly to education, the Minister said he had been granted £lBO,OOO for new buildings, but the demand for improvements was still acute.

Replying to a question, he said that the new salary scale for teachers required much consideration. It would involve an enormous sum. The Government had to consider whether the money was available and a major scale could be adopted this year or whether something less should be done in the meantime. If he was still Minister a scale would ultimately be adopted.

A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried without dissent.