In 1938, Michael Savage's Labour Government had served one term in power, and wanted to continue their programme of legislation and social change in New Zealand into ensuing terms. In September, they issued their political manifesto, detailing what they'd done so far, and what they still wanted to achieve or maintain.
The other day, someone gave me a torn, slightly foxed copy of the October 1938 "copy to householders, postage paid" version of the manifesto. I was quite taken with its contents, comparing it with today's New Zealand. Of course, with this year an election year for us, it might be interesting comparing how the promises we get today stack up against those of a perhaps simpler time, just as the social welfare system was being constructed, and before the advent of World War II.
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