FREEDOM OF NEW ZEALANDERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 3

FREEDOM OF NEW ZEALANDERS

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO MR. HAMILTON PROSPERITY REFLECTED TO-DAY I Per Press Association, f WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. Statements criticising Lire Government’s policy which were made m Christchurch to-day by the Leader oi the Opposition, Hon. A. Hamilton, were replied to by the Prime Minister, Hon. M. T. Savage, in an Intel view this evening. Mr. Savage sai that Ireedom meant more in Ne>. Zealand to-day than ever before be I cause people could only be free when they had a decent standard of living. People could not be free when they were poor. “Mr. Hamilton states that New Zealanders are prisoners in their own country and their own money is locked up," said Mr. Savage. "These people had no money to lock up before the present Government assumed office. I would sooner be a prisoner under the conditions to-day than be free under the conditions that prevailed before we came into power. If this means being a prisoner let us lock up a few more people. If the conditions that existed for three or lour years before this Government means freedom, then save us from freedom. People did not apply for permits to travel before we came into office because they did not have the money. “It has taken Mr. Hamilton a long time to find that out. Professor Algie evidently helped him," said Mr. Savage, referring to Mr. Hamilton's comment about the import and export restrictions. The worst that can be said about it is that the efforts and labour of the men and women of New Zealand are protected against inroads on their standard of living bj competition of cheap products from overseas. “One has only to look at the totalisator figures,” he said, “motor registrations, radio licences and returns of business turnover." Prosperity is reflected all along the line. “Thank heaven for that," said Mi. Savage, referring to Mr. Hamilton's statement that there was little the National Party could do about the Social Security Act. “The members of the Opposition did their best to prevent the Social Security Legislation becoming the law of the land. The Social Security Act is the best measure on the Statute Book of this or any other country and is an attempt to give real security to the people of this country. The Government is going to operate every part of the Act at the earliest possible moment and no blame will rest at the door of the Government for any holdup. Mr. Hamilton will have to look elsewhere for the blame. We arc not going to use the social security tax for any purpose other than that for which it is levied.” Mr Savage said that the Government was usefully providing for all artisans it could obtain. If there were not enough in New Zealand to overtake the arrears of work it was owing to the do-nothing policy practised bv Mr. Hamilton and his friends when they were in office. If Mr Hamilton could say where artisans were available in New Zealand, the Government would be right aftei them. In addition to obtaining men Irom overseas, steps were being taken by the Government to train New Zealanders —a thing Mr. Hamilton did not do. The Government o£ whicn Mr. Hamilton was a member turned apprentices out of workshops into the streets. The Government is out to put the incidence of taxation on a better basis than when it came into office, said Mr. Savage. “That cannot be done in live minutes. However, we will try to correct a lot of the stupid practices of the past."