"FAKE ISSUE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1938, Page 7

"FAKE ISSUE”

SOCIALISM V. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF RAILWAYS OPERA HOUSE CROWDED "The National Party dare not fight the Labour Government on any single thing it had done during its three years in office, and for that reason it raised the fake issue of Socialism versus private enterprise,” declared the Hon D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, when addressing an audience of about 700 in the Opera House last night. The Minister was given a rousing reception. He was applauded when he rose to speak, and later enthusiastically acclaimed and cheered. He was on excellent terms with his audience throughout his address, and there were no interjections of an obstructive nature. A vote of thanks to Mr Sullivan for his address and of confidence in the Labour Party and in Mr Robertson as the Labour candidate was carried unanimously. Thb Minister was also accorded musical honours. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, who presided, introduced the Minister and, after referring to his association with him in municipal affairs, went on to thank him and the Prime Minister for their decision to proceed with the Rimutaka Tunnel project, which, he said, was a matter of great moment to the Wairarapa. He believed that an improved railways service was the beginning and not the end of the development of one of the finest districts in New Zealand. (Applause). The Minister paid a tribute to Mr Jordan, and said that in municipal affairs, no one ever had any doubt as to where he stood or what his opinion was on a subject. With Mr Jordan, he had tried to bring about a greater degree of efficiency and organisation in local body affairs in the country. When the Hon W. E. Parry brought down his Local Bodies (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill, as he would when Labour was returned to office, they would be able to make further progress in that direction. He also referred to the work and efficiency of Mr J. Robertson, Labour candidate for the Masterton seat. ADJUSTING COSTS. All would agree that this election was being fought under very different ■circumstances and economic conditions to those of the past. When the ForbesCoates Government was in power, Mr Forbes returned from a trip to the United Kingdom and found that, as the result of a slight recession of prices, there were 15,000 to 20,000 unemployed in the country. Mr Forbes said in view of the fall in prices it would be necessary to reduce costs and adjust them to the new price levels. That he proceeded to do with a vengeance. Public works had been stopped and hundreds and then thousands of men had been thrown out of work. The salaries of Public Servants had been cut, a general order issued for a reduction in salaries and wages. With every step they took in that foolish policy, the position became worse, and unemployment increased by leaps and bounds. It was inevitable, with the policy of the Government of that day, that unemployment should happen and increase. CURTAILING PURCHASING POWER It was the mass of the people that created the purchasing power and business of the country. It was because of the policy of the Government in curtailing the purchasing power of the mass of the people that unemployment mounted more rapidly in New Zealand, in proportion to its population, than in any other country in the world. Although governments of other countries had much the same policy they did not go to the same lengths as the one in New Zealand and intensify the position by an excessive application of the alleged cure, which was really worse than the disease. All the want and misery of the depression years had been caused by the indescribably foolish policy of the Government, which had tried to remedy the position by cutting wages and reducing the purchasing power of the people. Throughout the country the smiling faces of the happy people, well dressed and well fed, showed by their very looks the vast change for the better that had taken place during the past three years. WHAT LABOUR DID. When Labour came into office the unemployed had been attended to, necessary public works put in hand, men brought back into industry and legislation passed to increase salaries and wages. Labour had turned the wheels back the other way until today the back of the unemployment problem was broken. That represented the fundamental difference between the philosophy and outlook of Labour and its opponents. The Opposition was now in a divided stale of mind. Mr Coates said that in the event of another depression —if, of course, he was lucky enough to be returned—he might not go as far as he did before. Mr Forbes, however, was quite unrepentant. He had not learned his lesson. He thought he had been justified in what he did, and would be justified in doing it again in the event of another recession of prices. If by any miracle, Mr Hamilton became Prime Minister, Messrs Coates and Forbes would be at his right hand, and it would be the same old combination again. The National Party said it would not cut salaries and wages, blit would leave the matter to the Arbitration Court. That, however, was not security for the people of New Zealand and another depression would see a repetition in the same degree and in the same conditions as existed under the past Government. The issue of Socialism versus private enterprise was a fake issue. In past elections, the people had been asked to decide between the policy of the party in power and that of the Opposition. That was not the position at this election simply because the National Party could not oppose anything done while Labour had been in power. If they tried to dispute Labours achievements they would be broken to pieces on the anvil of public opinion, and by the electors on polling day. “TRUMPED UP ISSUE” The private enterprise cry had been trumped up by the National Party as an issue to try and create the prejudice against Labour. The Government, however, was only interested in the people. If it came to a question of whether an industry was to be run by

private enterprise or by the State, the only concern of Labour was what would be best in’the interests of the people. It was all humbug to say that Labour intended to socialise land. Labour had no intention of interfering with farming, retailers, shops, or factories. It had no doctrinal formula. Its only concern was to banish poverty, misery and unemployment for ever from the country, and to raise the standard of living of the people. “ALL MOONSHINE” It was all so much moonshine to say that increased costs had cancelled out the benefits of increased salaries and wages. No one could deny that the country was much more prosperous since Labour came into office. In the last three years Post Office Sav F}S Bank deposits had increased by £l3 millions and there had been an enormous increase in the output of factories Twenty factories, providing necessities for the people, had shown an increased output of 18s Per cent since Labour took office. The whole aim and object of the Labour was to improve the standard of the living of the people. The Social Security Act was an indication of what they were capable of doing. If the people appreciated what Labour had done, if they appreciated the implications of the Social Secunty c and if they appreciated Labour s efforts to raise the standard of living they would vote to return Mr Robertson and Labour to office. (Applause).