LABOUR CAMPAIGN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1943, Page 3

LABOUR CAMPAIGN

OPENED BY PREMIER ADDRESS IN WELLINGTON LAST NIGHT. ' CLAIMS AND CRITICISMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Labour Government’s record in nearly eight years of office was the theme of an address given last night by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when opening Labour’s election campaign before a packed gathering in St John’s Ambulance Hall, Wellington. Mr Fraser spoke for two hours, and announced that Labour’s policy would be made public in the next few days.

There was a certain amount of opposition, and interjection, but only a dozen hands were raised in opposition to a motion of confidence in Mr Fraser tjnd the Government carried by an overwhelming majority at the conclusion of the meeting. Mr Fraser received a vociferous welcome as he entered the hall, accompanied by the chairman, Mr J. O. Johnson. On the platform were other Labour candidates in the Wellington area, Messrs Semple, McKeen and Chapman and Mrs Catherine Stewart. Mr Fraser said that after eight years of Labour administration he could make the claim that no Government had conferred greater benefits on the people, or had interpreted the mind and heart of democracy in peace and war better than had the Labour Government. He asked the people for a vbte of confidence and approval of the Government's direction of the war effort, and a vote of confidence and approval to go on prosecuting the war to the utmost, for that was the most vital task of all, till victory was achieved. THE WAR CABINET. The question of the need for a general election had been raised. It was true that an effort had been made toward political unity. He had striven hard for such an agreement. Organisations had been set up leading finally to a War Cabinet. He had received letters from Messrs Polson and Bodkin, both Opposition members, on the splendid spirit of comradeship and help prevailing, but all this effort toward unity had foundered on what a British newspaper had described as a “trivial matter”--the stoppage of work in the coalfield at Waikato.

The Government had held that compromise was the only course to adopt. Agreement had been expressed on this principle by the Opposition members of the War Cabinet except the Leader of the Opposition, and subsequently he had been followed by some of his colleagues. Efforts at political unity had thus failed, but in the Waikato coalfield, as the result of the decision of the Government to take over control for the duration of the war, a practice adopted in other countries, production bad increased. From his manifesto statement, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, was in favour of a national government, but how could that be achieved if the democratic principle of majority rule was not accepted? By being the only dissentient in the War Cabinet decision over the Waikato strike, and subsequently withdrawing, Mr Holland had clearly demonstrated the impracticability of a national government. THE GOVERNMENT’S RECORD. Mr Fraser said it was essential for him to review the administration of the Government since it had assumed power in 1935 because the Government’s policy was inextricably hound up with the administration, and that policy would continue to be followed. He did not accuse the National Party of causing the slump, but he did accuse them, of failing to protect the peopie in a time of despair and financial difficulty. Reduced wages and pensions had aggravated the position. The Labour Government had come into power with 60,000 unemployed in the country. When the war broke out four years later, unemployment had practically been abolished. Developmental public works were started and carried out on an unprecedented scale till the outbreak of the war, primary production had been stimulated, manufacturing industries had been expanded, educational reforms had been introduced, and the people had been given the best social security scheme in the world. , Some increases since 1935 quoted by Mr Fraser were: Total wages, from £66,000.000 to £155,000,000 this year; production from £96.700,000 to £l6 ,- 000.000 last year, aggregate income from £104,000,000 to £260,000.000: Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks savings from £60.700.000 to £113.000.000 last year; the number ol factories from 5270 to 6367, and the number of workers from 79,000 to 117,000. , MONETARY POLICY.

To carry out its policy Labour had to take control of the currency. In spite of what its opponents said, the Government had complete control ot the currency, declared Mr Fraser. Its budgets had all shown a surplus. Overseas debts incurred for civil Purposes had'been reduced. It was true that the internal debt had been increased, but there had never been a wider basis for doing so, and the Third Loan, which had been an outstanding success, was monev owed by the people to themselves. Reference was made by Mr Fraser to the improved income of farmers and assistance by subsidies. SOCIAL SECURITY. “Now I come to one of the most important matters so far as New Zealand is concerned—Social Security,” said Mr Fraser. He referred to the tribute paid .by Mrs Roosevelt, that “you in New Zealand have built up a social security scheme under which abject poverty is practically impossible. Wo are trying to do the same in our country.” Even the National Party, _ after years of opposition, now said it would not inteifere with it. Mr Fraser quoted a wide variety of figures showing the benefits conferred, comparing them with, conditions prior to 1935. Labour’s housing programme, which was regarded as of vital importance, provided for the erection of 3000 houses this year. It would be stepped up as more labour and material became available. It was intended to make provision for tenants, who so desired,

to bequeath the houses to their children. SETTLEMENT AND TENURE. Mr Fraser devoted some time to defending the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act as absolutely necessary to prevent inflation of land values. Had the Government left Parliament without placing on the Stc aite Book an Act that would prevent what had happened during the last war, then it would have deserved to be defeated overwhelmingly. No one need fear that Act, because it’was fair. It had received the support of such men as Sir Andrew Russell, Mr W. Perry, till recently the president of the N.Z.R.S.A., had approved of it, the R.S.A. had advised that it could not find an alternative, the Farmers’ Union had brought forward an alternative—-in some respects it had been more severe than the Bill —but it had not been acceptable. Against that, ' the attitude of the Opposition had been —postpone. In conformity with the promise given by Mr Savage in farewelling the men of the First Echelon, Labour was determined that nobody (

should put his hand into the soldiers’ pockets. There had been a great outcry about leasehold and freehold. In the policy to be announced shortly, Labour would on certain lands purchased for service men raise no objection if there was a desire to obtain the freehold. Certain conditions would be attached, but their objective would be consistent with the aims of the Bill, to prevent speculation. Thus no person would be allowed to sell out and “get away with the swag.” There must be a condition ensuring fair dealing. The provision of adequate recreation grounds was an objective the party was determined to achieve, said Mr Fraser. He hoped when the time was opportune that there would be a Minister and department devoted to this objective, the purpose of which was to cater for the people’s leisure and to further their health. POLICY TO BE CONTINUED. “Labour will continue its policy; in fact, I cannot see much to quarrel with Mr Holland’s announced policy because he has simply gained an education by studying ours, and has gone a great distance in social security and in other things,” said Mr Fraser, • amid laughter. He said the Opposition had stolen the Labour Party’s clothes, but these did not fit and the Opposition had not undergone a change of heart.

Mr Fraser stressed that in the coming campaign the fight was against the National Party. Others did not matter. They had been overwhelmed in Australia. But the National Party needed a change of heart and to impress the public of its sincerity, for they could never get away from the conception that a few privileged people should dominate and run the country. “We ask you for a mandate, an overwhelming mandate, to go on till victory is achieved and then to collaborate with Great Britain, the British Commonwealth, the United States, Russia and China on the principles of the Atlantic Charter, which means to achieve for the world what has been achieved in a great measure in this country—freedom from fear and from want.” RESOLUTION CARRIED. The following resolution moved by Mr K. Baxter and seconded by Mr E. Napier, was overwhelmingly approved: “That this meeting of Wellington citizens expresses to the Right Hon. P. Fraser, Prime Minister and Parliamentary representative for Wellington Central, our sincere appreciation of the outstanding efforts and achievements of the Labour Government during the whole period of the war, and its magnificent contributions to the world conflict for the preservation of freedom and human progress against Nazi and Fascist aggression. We note that New Zealand’s contribution to the war effort is highly acclaimed by the leaders of all allied countries, and realise that all this has been accomplished while maintaining and lifting the living standards enjoyed by the people of this country. We pledge ourselves to do all possible to return the Labour Government to power under the leadership of Mr Fraser, in the interests of peace time reconstruction and social security for all.” The meeting concluded with cheers for Mr Fraser and the Government and the singing of the National Anthem.