TAKEN TO TASK

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20281, 25 August 1937, Page 9

TAKEN TO TASK

LABOUR GOVERNMENT. NATIONAL PARTY’S CASE. ADDRESS BY MR 0. C. MAZENGARB. One of the largest attendances of the publlo to hear a political address In Hamilton was present in the Theatre Royal last night when the aims of the National Party, and the problems Introduced by recent legislation were reviewed by Mr 0. C. Mazengarb, of Wellington, In a forceful address, during which he severely castigated the Labour Government for its failure to reduce the number of able-bodied men on eustenance when primary producers were In urgent need of labour. The Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, presided over the large gathering, which almost filled the theatre. “ This large audience is a clear indication of the great interest and ooncern aroused in the minds of the people by the trend of modern life and modern legislation as the years go on,” said Mr Fow, in welcoming Mr Mazengarb. "This oountry, one of the best in the world, has to shape its destiny. Of late years problems have arisen, quite apart perhaps from politics, which have harassed the people and caused anxiety. Attempts have been mads to combat some of these evils.

Higher wages and shorter hours have been tested In an effort to solve the unemployment problem, but they have not succeeded as we all know," said Mr Fow, in suggesting that the rise In the cost of living had nullified all these efforts. | Htflh Export Prices. *We are fortunate that there has been a high price ruling for our produce, but if this fell we would be in a precarious position. We still have 55,000 unemployed under the age of 24 years. It is not enough to leave this responsibility to the Government, for It is the people's responsibility. "The people well and truly voted for & change of Government, but they did not vote consciously and deliberately for * change in the economic structure of the country.” said Mr Mazengarb. "After the election the Prime Minister asked for the support of the people, and certainly Mr Savage oannot complain that the Government did not receive the support of the Opposition In putting legislation through Parliament, because it had been realised by the Opposition member* that the Government had to be given its chanoe to indicate its policy. ‘The people had been told that the Improved conditions were the result of Internal reorganisation and not that they were the outcome of prosperity abroad, commented the speaker. There were many people who praised the lLabour Government because of the good conditions existing at present, but it had to he remembered that much of the present prosperity was coming frgm the savings accumulated as a result of the thrift of a large proi portion of the people. V Before the election Labour members of Parliament had been loud in their condemnation of Government leaders visiting the United Kingdom, and they •had decried the practice of two Ministers being away from the Dominion at the same time, but recently the Dominion had had the experience of having actually three Ministers abroad at the same time. * If farmers want to be ousted from their homesteads, and if they want co-operative farms, then they should rote for the Labour Government, but if they want to retain their homesteads, to control their own stock and t® manage their own affairs generally, then they must vote against the party whloh wants to take these things from them," said Mr Mazengarb. The speaker dealt in a comprehensive manner with the unemployment (Continued In next column.)

problem which he claimed the Government had failed to solve, and indicated the socialistic nature of the Government's policy. Questions Answored. At the conclusion of his address Mr Mazengarb answered questions dealing with a variety of political sub ■ JeotK. “What started the economic blizzard?" asked the first questioner. " The inauguration of the economic blizzard in 1931 was due to the inflation of currency and over-borrow-ing," replied Mr Mazengarb. "It is apparent that the Labour Government’s policy of over-borrowing will bring about a recurrence of the conditions existing in 1931," he added. "llow many houses did the previous Government build during its term of office?” was another query. "The scheme of the previous Government was to encourage the people to build houses by providing subsi- ! dies." was the reply. "During the Budget debate Mr Nash stated that the Government houses were to cost £6OO each, but they af*e actually costing from £I2OO to £1400." Reply ig to another question concerning the Reserve Bank, Mr Mazengarb stated that it was a grave mistake to make the bank solely the instrument of one man and to leave the issue of the country’s currency in his hands. The time would come when the Dominion \vould rue the day when such a position had been created. Forty Hour® Favoured. If successful at the election, he did not think the National Party would repeal the 40-hour week, and certainly would not legislate for a reduction In wages, replied Mr Mazengarb to another questioner. However, employers had 'been severely handicapped by the fact that the 40-hour week and the Increase in wages had been both introduced at the same time. "illas the National Party decided what it intends to do about the guaranteed price or the compensating price?" asked another questioner. "I cannot speak authoritatively for the National Party,” replied Mr Mazengarb. "However, I would suggest that the guaranteed price should be a guaranteed minimum price, that the farmer should be given any surplus at the end of the season, and that he should be given back the control of the sale of his own produce. I believe that the farmers of this country have sufficient brains to control their sales." Confidence In National Policy. At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution moved by Mr W. J. King and seconded 'by Dr. 11. E. Annett thanked Mr Mazengarb for his address and expressed the meeting’s complete j confidence in the speaker and the policy he expounded on behalf of the National Party. An amendment expressing confidence in the present Government was lost by a large majority.