COMPLETE SOCIALISATION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20494, 10 May 1938, Page 9

COMPLETE SOCIALISATION

OPPOSITION LEADER’S WARNING LABOUR’S POLICY VIGOROUSLY ASSAILED REAL FACTORS BEHIND PROSPERITY WAVE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The claims of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, in his recent broadcast speech, that most of the prosperity New Zealand was enjoying was due to the Government s policy, were replied to by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon- A. Hamilton, in a speech in St. Francis Hall, VI ellington, last evening. Mr Hamilton’s speech was broadcast over the national stations. Mr Hamilton contended that the main theme of Mr Savage’s address was that he and his colleagues had caused the prosperity. On the contrary, the early pioneers and past governments, with their sound, progressive policy had much more to do with the prosperity than the present Government. The real cause was the general rise in the price level of commodities, especially of our exports. When it was considered that the Dominion’s income from exports during three years of the depression averaged over £37,000,000 compared with about £66,000,000 for the last year, it could readily be seen how the difference in trade conditions came about. Mr Hamilton said it was not difficult to prove that the Government had done more to hinder than help the country’s increased production. He stated that growth of state enterprise, the loss of individual freedom and interference with private business, which, he said, were rampant to-day, would not be foierated if his party were returned.

“Labour was returned to offlce at fest election at a time when the world-wide depression was past.’’ said Mr Hamilton. “Prosperity had returned; export prices of farm produce had risen 2u per cent; the money at credit of depositors in Post Office Savings Bank of over £51,000,000 constituted a record In the history of the Post Offlce; the amount to the credit of depositors w*lth trustee savings banka of over £11,000,000, was also a record for these banks; practically every department of State was in credit; interest rates were the lowest on record for New Zealand; two restorations of wages and salary cuts had been made; all reductions In old age pensions had been restored, and pensions were at the highest level on record. “The first and most cardinal plank of the Labour Party's policy is the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. Socialisation means the public ownership of all three- It means the elimination of the right of anyone to own private property of any kind. That is the Labour Government's objective, and their legislation is being shaped with that end In view. “The Prime Minister told us that the Government had no iatention of socialising the farms. Within a couple of days he was flatly contradicted by the Minister of Lands, Mr Lsngstone. In an address to the Labour Party Conference, Mr Langstone proclaimed that it is still the Government’s policy to wipe out the freehold tenure of land. Large blocks are to be taken over by the Government, developed by the Lands Department, and then farmed by men who will be paid as employees of the »tate. No body of farmers can have any faith In a government which adopts such a policy. “We know that Labour aims at the socialisation of the means of production, but to the farmer the land is everything. It is his livelihood and his title to it is the measure of his independence and his self-respect. The National Party will uphold the rights of the farmer and townspeople to the ownership of their own land. The State to-day will not even sell any of the houses they arc building. The policy Is to eliminate alt private interest In any property. They are rapidly getting all property possible into the hands of the State. On the other hand, we stand for the right of any person to own the freehold of his own home, farm, or business. We do not agree with Mr Langstone that people desire the freehold of property for the purpose of gambling with it, or to get away with the plunder.”

Interference With Business Mr Hamilton said Labour stood for the extension of the State in business, but his party would encourage and foster private enterprise. There were services in the community that It was wise for the State to own and control—such as the Post Office—a national monopoly. And, from the success of the Post Ufflce, the Government argued that the State in business should he extended until it absorbed all industries and all services. The Government established a housing department to build houses against private enterprise. It absorbed private transport services; it took authority to establish a steel and iron industry at an estimated cost of 5,000,000; if placed £02,000 on last year’s estimates, to establish and operate State sawmills. licgulation, domination and inspection of private businesses, were the order of the day. In fact, the Government’s objective was to make it impossible for private enterprise to carry on. -We say that it is the State's function to lay down the rules, in the public interest, by which business shall be conducted, and then —so long as business people obey the rules—the State should not only keep out of the business, but also exercise the minimum interference. Private enterprise developed New Zealand, and is capable of giving a better service—and greater freedom —to the community than the state in business can ever give.” • They hold that New Zealand's past has all* been a failure, but we say that It has been a huge success.” Mr Hamilton continued. -It would likely be too mucii to tf iy that all that had been done in the past, had been right. But it is correct to say that the pioneers and past legislators’—-pursuing a sound, progressive course —brought New Zealand through until we have enjoyed the best standard of livinc of any people in the world. And they say, also, that I am the man with an umbrella. If that means that I move with care regarding the future, 1 make

no apology. I would prefer to ba out with an umbrella and my feet on the ground, than-—like the Prime Minister—up in a balloon on the road to the moon, with the sky the limit. It is easy to scoff at the old-fashioned systems of the past, but our predecessors have handed us a magnificent heritage—a heritage equalled by few, and excelled by none I "We say, let us hold fast to that which experience has proved to be good. Where the past has revealed weaknesses, let us remove them. We will help to do it. Let us pause, lest we dissipate in a few years, what It has taken a generation to build up. Many businesses that have been built up over the years by sound and careful management, have been speedily wrecked by mismanagement under the false guise of progress. Successful experience of the past Is a wiser guide than the experimental recklessness of this Government. Insulating Depressions “The Government say they can Insulate New Zealand against the consequences of a world fall in prices,” Mr Hamilton went on. “We hold that New Zealand's economic conditions are largely affected by our export prices. "New Zealand taxpayers have got to note that the annual public commitments have been increased by the Government, by something in the vicinity of £10,000,000. It is easy to increase expenditure when revenue is buoyant—it is not so easy to reduce if revenue falls. The Minister of Finance, when asked how he would meet the increased expenditure if his revenue fell, stated that he would insulate New Zealand against any adverse efTect. The Deputy Leader of the Government, the Hon. P. Fraser, being a careful Scotchman, when asked what he would do If the export income fell by, say, £20,000,000, replied that he was not prepared to say offhand. The increased public commit- j ments piled up by the Government, constitute one of the greatest problems for the future. Increased expenditure and rtemg costs should stir our taxpayers into action “It is wise to keep our internal price level, and costs, from rising so high as to throw both our primary and manufacturing industries into difficulty. It is wise to keep our costs on a reasonably competitive basis with Britain and Australia. If our costs level becomes artificially high, then some section of our people must suffer. The high costs policy of the Government is designed to embarrass the industries affected, so that they will fall into their hands.

"As far as insulating New Zealand against the effects of a general fail in export prices, this is not possible without causing a corresponding evil to some section of our people. In my opinion, those who will suffer under Labour's policy, if prices fall, are those whose assets are in the form of savings, as distinct from property. Individual Freedom “As one of the important units of the British Kmpire. we have enjoyed a personal freedom from State domination and dictation scarcely to be obtained in any country outside of our Kmpire,” said Mr Hamilton. “We are apt to accept this great privilege, together with our high standard of life, as our natural heritage. Democracy has broken down in many counIries ' he w orld, and, unless we put up a fight worthy of the occasion, then* is grave danger of complete socialism in New Zealand, which leads to Communism and the totalitarian state. If the Government is returned to office it will be taken by them as a confirmation of their policy. 'l'hey will then be free to proceed with their programme of complete socialisation and supremacy. Remember, the State can be very oppressive, and coercive, when those holding extreme views are in command. -On the contrary, we stand for the utmost freedom of the individual to work out his own salvation, and to be rewarded for his initiative, enterprise

and thrift. Theirs is a process of levelling down—ours is a process of encouraging all to rise by their own efforts—with the encouragement and protection of the State“lndividual freedom and sell-ex-pression arc among the greatest blessings enjoyed by man. Our British history is a history of a fight for freedom—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom of the press. With the recent happenings in Europe before your minds, remember that freedom once lost, is difficult to regain. We stand for the utmost freedom for individuals. Position of the Workers “Labour's approach to the industrial problem is that a man works because he has the right to work, not because an employer has need of his services,” said Mr Hamilton. “As usual, Labour sees only one side of the question. We admit that the worker has his rights, but so has the employer, and it is only when it is recognised that these rights are in-ter-dependent, that we will have industrial stability. It is senseless to think that industry will thrive if workers are instructed to ask for the highest possible return in wages for the lowest possible return of work. And yet, that is what the Government, and many of the trades unions, are doing to-day.

“We want a changed outlook In the industrial sphere. We do not want the outlook of the selfish worker, nor do we want the outlook of the grasping employer. We want the outlook of the craftsman who takes a pride in his work, who has a sense of the dignity of labour, and who is prepared to earn the money he receives, knowing that he has a stake in industry und a responsibility toward it. We want the outlook of the employe# who provides all the facilities for efficient production, and who is prepared to pay for efficiency and willing service, knowing that contented workmen strengthen his business and make for industrial development. “The Prime Minister says the National Party will destroy the Arbitration Court, and smash the 40-hour week. When Mr Savage made that statement, he knew he was saying something that was not true. On innumerable occasions I—and other National Party speakers —have told the people, and I say again that compulsory arbitration will be retained, and the matter of hours, wages and conditions in industry will be left to a free, unfettered and uninstructed Arbitration Court. However, compulsory unionism is going to go. The National Party believes that the best results from industry can only be accomplished when there is a healthy understanding between the co-part-ners, the employer and the employee.” Policy Points Mr Hamilton summarised the points of the National Party’s policy as fellows : We will govern In the interests of the people as a whole, and not for sections or classes. We will co-operate and collaborate with Great Britain to the fullest extent- Britain is our best friend. We will encourage and protect private enterprise, and preserve the right to private ownership of homes and property. We will take a special Interest in the small shopkeeper, the small farmer and the small trader. We will encourage and assist the subdivision of classified farm lands, to enable farmers’ sons, farm-workers and oilier qualified persons to obtain suitable farms. We will see that our great manufacturing industries are encouraged. We understand their problems and we will help them to solve them.

We will establish a new Ministry of Social Welfare which will be specially charged with the responsibility of co-operating with those splendid voluntary organisations, having for their objective the interests of women and children, and the social and economic welfare of the youth of the community. There are many organisations to-day doing magnificent work for the community, but they have no official contact with the Government, and the new Ministry will provide that long-felt need. We will cut out all extravagance in Government expenditure. We will extract the smallest amount of taxation necessary to carry out the functions of Government efficiently and economically, and we will abolish the unemployment tax on women. We will take such action as will assure to the farmer a Just and comparative standard of reward, compared with other sections of the community. We will leave the question of hours and wages in industry to an entirely free, non-political and unfettered Arbitration Court. Compulsory arbitration will be retained. Compulsory unionism will be wiped of the Statute Book. Pensions will not be cut. Civil Service salaries will not be cut.

We will see that homes are provided for the people. We will encourage building societies. We will give people the right to own their own homes. We will curtail restrictions on the right of access to people’s own property. We will provide more adequately for the defence of our country, anti work in close co-operation with Great Britain. » “What this country needs to-day is a proper sense of balance, and an appreciation of the heritage we enjoy,” concluded Mr Hamilton- “Let us move forward with care, prudence and foresight, for which our people hove long since been famous.” Enthusiastic Reception Mr Hamilton had a most enthusiastic reception and was accorded musical honours on entering tlie hall. Mr C. H. Weston, K.C., presided. At tiie conclusion of Mr Hamilton’s speech a resolution was moved “ That this meeting desires to express its appreciation and thanks to Mr Hamilton for his speech and to assure him of the loyal support and confidence of all men and women in this country opposed to socialism, and convey to him our conviction that he is destined to rank among the great leaders in New Zealand political life.” The motion was received with prolonged applause.