LABOUR’S CLAIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1938, Page 5

LABOUR’S CLAIMS

OUTLINED BY MR J. A. LEE. ADDRESS IN OPERA HOUSE. A resume of Labour's record of achievement during the past three years was given by Mr J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, in an .address to a packed audience in the Opera House last night. Mr Lee was given a most attentive hearing and at the conclusion of his address a resolution was passed thanking him for his “able, educative and inspiring address and congratulating him on the good work he was doing in the Housing Department,” and also pledging support and confidence in Mr J. Robertson as member for the district. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presided and extended a warm welcome to Mr Lee. Mr Robertson was also on the stage. After stating that the shooting season for politics was now open, Mr Lee said it Avas impossible to criticise anything so nebulous as the policy of the National Party. “We have such a record of achievement,” he added, “that by the time we tell our story to the people we will have no time for abuse. Our opponents, having no policy, will have to resort to abuse, but every time they tell a lie we will tell the truth about them twelve times.” The prophets of gloom were in the land, continued Mr Lee, and one would imagine from the Press and Nationalist speeches that New Zealand was on the verge of ruin. He went on to quote figures relating to the cash value of production during the term of the “Forbes-Coates-Hamilton Government” and to contrast the position with that existing today as the result of Labour’s legislation. Labour had increased purchasing power and the cash value of production from £97 millions to £136 millions in the first two years of its term. The 1938 figures were the highest yet recorded and were the direct result of Labour’s policy. The increase in the volume of production was larger after the first full year of Labour’s term than in any of the previous recorded years. Mr Lee quoted figures in support of his statements regarding the increases in the volume of production. Increased opportunities had been provided for boys and girls and during the first year of the Labour Government the number of registered apprentices increased from 3329 to 5231. At the present rate of increase the total apprentices registered by the end of the year should be about 8,000. Passing on to deal with unemployment and to contrast the position under the previous Government with that existing today, Mr Lee said; “We are doing our best and are laying the foundations on which to build still further. I say we are worthy of being continued in office.” (Applause). ■ Mr Lee discussed at some length the effect of the wages and salary cuts imposed by the previous Government and drew attention to the increased prosperity as the result of the restoration of those cuts by Labour. He emphasised the need for a stable purchasing unit and went on to deal in detail with housing construction, pension increases and social security. Labour aimed at building 10,000 homes every year in New Zealand.

In urging that every support possible be given to Mr Robertson in his campaign, Mr Lee said: “There has been a landslide towards Labour in the last few months and at the election we will literally annihilate our opponents.” (Applause).