MEETING THE PEOPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1938, Page 3

MEETING THE PEOPLE

(Continued from page 7.)

ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIES. Mr Savage went on to deal with the Government’s efforts to encourage primary production and secondary industries. The Government had no indecision as to what it was going to do. It was going to encouiage both. “In addition to promoting manufactures as well as primary industry, the Government is going forward with a policy of linking all centres of population by good roads and transport, rail and air,” continued Mr Savage. “Everything will be done to make life in provincial towns just as attractive as in the cities. There is no other way to develop a young country to the best advantage of all its people.” “There has never been a time in the history of New Zealand when farmers got more practical encouragement from the State than they are receiving now from the Labour Government. I do not refer only to guaranteed prices for butterfat. Even if dairy-farmers were foolish enough to surrender the substance for the shadow and go back to the old Rafferty rules of marketing and unstable prices or, more foolish still, go blindfolded into the maze of compensatory prices, a plan which still defies definition, it would still be true that the Labour Government is doing more to encourage farming interests than was ever done by any other Government.

Mr Savage proceeded to deal with the development of secondary industries in the Dominion, together with the Government’s policy of protecting industry. He claimed there was nothing savouring of dictatorship in the Industrial Efficiency Act and that nearly all applications of the licensing provisions of the Act had emanated from the industriies themselves. In no case had the bureau sought to impose licensing on any industry not desiring it. Proof of the Government’s efforts were that in 1937-38 over 1100 more factories were in operation than two years previously. INCREASE IN WAGES “This is an answer to critics who say that Labour has discouraged the investment of capital in New Zealand.” said Mr Savage. “If any further indication is needed to show the thriving state of industry in New Zealand it is only necessary to point Out that they are achieving prosperity and at the same time paying out more in wages. For the year ended March, 1935, the total wages bill was £66,000,000. For the year ended March this year, it was £99,000,000, an increase of 50 per cent. Employers and employees are sharing the prosperity. It seems that our idea that raising wages is good for everyone has been shown to be true by the evidence of facts. We want higher production figures and we want the people to have the means to buy the increased volume of production. “In the course of this tour I shall have something definite to say about various phases of progress and development under the Labour Government. A recitation of the main facts should make an end to pessimism and political predictions of another slump,” concluded Mr Savage. Mr Webb spoke briefly, thanking the audience for the reception given Mr Savage and himself. He also referred to the prosperity of the country under Labour legislation.

The gathering concluded with the National Anthem, following which Mr

Savage and his party were guests at a dance arranged by the Feilding branch of the Labour Party. ADDRESS AT LEVIN HELPING THOSE IN NEED THE SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN By Telegraph —Press Association. LEVIN, June 13. In the course of his country tour, the Prime Minister visited Levin today in company with the Minister of Mines, the Hon P. C. Webb. He was accorded a public welcome, at which he was introduced by Mr L. G. Lowry, M.P.. other speakers being the mayor, Mr P. Goldsmith, and Mr Thorpe, president of the Levin branch of the Labour Party. Goodwill, stated Mr Savage, in acknowledging the welcome, was much to be sought after rather than the accumulation of this world’s wealth. The Labour Party had done much in its years of office, but many things still remained to be effected. “Before the end of this Parliament we have to make sure that every man and his wife will receive not less than £3 per week in their declining days,” he said. “No one can tell what is ahead or who will be the next invalid. As Christians, we should not allow to want those who fall by the wayside.” Two-thirds of the Post Office Savings Bank accounts had £2O or less in them, and this was not sufficient for the evening of life. By this method people could not save sufficient for their declining days, and it was only right that the State should supplement their savings by superannuation. After referring to pensions increases, he said medical services would be taken into every home, inclusive of the backblocks. The Opposition had stated this was not being done the right way, but it was going to be done In the Government’s way, and benefits would accrue.

The greatest work possible inside or out of Parliament was to help those in need. He wished to go to the grave leaving a monument of service. This alone would give him satisfaction. Prior to the last election, Mr Savage stated, he had said in Levin that he might fail to do certain things. He was not claiming he could not make mistakes. Nevetheless, no one could say he was not better off today than he was 24 years ago. Mr Savage also addressed the assembled children at the Levin District High School.