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A Labour Party film introduced by Prime Minister Michael Savage.
Includes footage of Parliament House, an unemployment office, road works gangs, construction of the Mohaka viaduct, railway workshops, electric train service, harvesting, fruit picking, a car factory, substandard housing and the construction of new state houses. Politicians, Bob Semple, John A Lee, Walter Nash and Savage help move furniture into the first state house.
Scenes at a kindergarten and primary school, focusing on the school milk service and a school dental clinic.
Also scenes of thermal activity, Maori carving and demonstrations of poi and haka in Rotorua.
“Made by Standard Productions (Lee Hill) in 1938 as a campaign film for use by New Zealand's Labour Party during the 1938 election campaign. The film is introduced by Michael Joseph Savage and then goes on to record the Labour Government’s achievements during their first term of office. It compares the standard of life in 1938 with the days of the depression. Construction of the 5-year plan, Labour’s completion of national railway commitments, hydroelectric development schemes. Personalities included are Hon. D.G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, Mr Paddy Webb, Mr J.A. Lee, Bob Semple, and Hon. Walter Nash. Some of these people assist to carry furniture into one of the State houses at an opening in the Hutt Valley area. Free kindergartens, introduction of milk in schools scheme, broadcasting of parliament, Social Security. A scene at Rotorua shows Guide Rangi.” (from National Film Library notes)