LABOUR VIEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 16

LABOUR VIEWS.

DOMINION REMITS. QUESTIONS FOR CONFERENCE WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS. , A wide range of subject?, many of < which will no doubt provoke consider- . able discussion, is covered in the remits; submitted by branches of the New Zea-! land Labour party for consideration at! the twpnty-fir."t annual conference of j the party, which is to be held in the ; Town Hall, Wellington, commencing on' March 29 next. The remits have been condensed in the majority of instances, but the material which they contain reflects the opinions in Labour circles to- j day on various phases of the party's legislation and current problems. Under the heading of finance there are j references to taxation, including the much-debated rate of exchange, and sug-geetions relating to monetary reform. Several branches urge the mak-! ing of recommendations to the Government concerning the sales tax, the exchange rate, the wage and salarv tax, land tax exemptions, Customs duties on necessities, and income tax graduation.

From the Kopuawhara branch comes the rather novel proposal that it be a recommendation that the right of inheritance be abolished, while a Hawera remit advocates that the Government be recommended to ensure that any expenditure on armaments be a direct and special tax on wealth.

A number of branches will move that monetary reform being essential to the carrying out of the party's policy, the conference give earnest consideration to (a) the nationalisation of all trading banks; (b) the taxation of idle bank deposits; (c) the financing of chattel securities; (d) the question of local body banking facilities; (e) the best means of increasing purchasing power; (f) debt-free money; and that recommendations be made to the Government." Company Reserves. From the Balclutha branch comes the proposal that the Government be urged to limit the permissible amount of a company's reserve to a definite percentage of the company's capital. Several remits are devoted to the questions of defence, peace and war. With respect to internal affairs it is proposed that the Government be urged to disband and prevent the formation of armed forces not directly under the control of the Government, to prevent the wearing of party uniforms and to legislate to ensure that the manufacture of arms and munitions is under Government control. A declaration of support of the Government's recommendations for the reform and strengthening of the League of Nations and support of the principle of collective security, is sought by the Pukekohe branch and the Auckland Carpenters' Union, while 12 branches advocate that in view of the situation in Europe, where constitutionally formed Governments have been overthrown b.y militarists and Fascists, the Government be urged to take steps to ensure that all persons appointed to control the army, air and police forces of the Dominion are in sympathy with the democratic form of government. Further, that the Government repeals the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act and gives every encouragement to the voluntary enlistment of the workers in a citizens' <!>f"iiee force.

Farmers' Problems. Touching on farm problems, there ig a good deal of support for a proposal that a committee be eet up to report concerning all matters in relation to the farming industry, such as (a) land tenures, including usehold policy, (b) breaking up large-holdings, (c) land settlement scheme, (d) collective and co- ! operative farms, (e) an inquiry into the j small farms scheme, (f) Government-built j tractors for co-operative use, (g) State ' farm costing system, (h) commodity ! prices, (i) importation of live etock, (j") milk testing for tuberculosis, etc., (k) socialisation oi economic rent* (1) pstao- ' lishment of State land agencies, and (m) ! derating of farm lands, with the object of making recommendations to the Government." Several remits are devoted to pensions i and it is suggested that the War Pensions Act be amended to provide that "all pensions shall be based on disability and necessity without regard to rank. Further, that an increased and graduated pension be granted to all' unfit returned soldiers and their depen-' dents." The abolition of the means: test for old age pensions, and the provision pensions for all orphans under 15 years of age without being committed to the State by a magistrate are also favoured in other remits. It is also suggested that the Government be requested to increase the amount paid under the Family Allowances Act to 10/ for each child in excess of two, where the family income is less than £300 yearly and also to consider the payment of a social dividend to children under the age of 16 years who are attending primary and secondary schools. Minister of Propaganda? The appointment of a Minister of Propaganda w advocated by several branches, who also recommend to the Government that the Education Department alter $he present classroom psychology from one of Imperialism and profit economics, to one of internationalism and socialist economics; \ that the present uneo-ordinated and' badly patronised library system be I transformed into a national system of well-stocked libraries under the supervision of a central library, such as the General Assembly or Turnbull Library; that free scholarships for the study of social science and its application to industry be available to bona fide trade unionists; that a national system of I adult education be established; that with a view to the introduction of the | metric system it be.a compulsory sub- ! ject in all school curriculum; that j institutions be established in the four! main centres for the training of domes- | tic servants; that a college for the train-1 ing of veterinary surgeons be estab- i liehed; that a system of % compulsory physical training for youths be instituted; that the teaching of correct diet be included in the school curriculum. , The setting up of A committee to con- ' sider a report concerning the party's policy on immigration in the light of present-day circumstances is another plan advanced, while among other subjects touched upon are the question of Spanish relief funds, the advisability of sending a delegation to Russia in 1937, the attitude of public servants to Labour legislation, an "increasehi the number .of;J.P/(j, business; methods, involving tie question' of hire-purchase agreements, encouragement to the co-operative movement, and the investigation of fawuetrfee, fisheries, gas, meat