LABOUR OBJECTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1938, Page 5

LABOUR OBJECTIVE.

PLATFORM OF PARTY.

THE PRINCIPAL PLANKS.

STATE OWNERSHIP ISSUE.

W. H. Hemingway writes to the "Auckland Star": — Again and again have .we recently been told that the "objective of the Labour party is the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange." And most have let it go at that. One may ask: How many of the electors have read (much less carefully studied) the complete "declaration of principles" as contained in the manifesto of the New Zealand Labour party ?

It is probably not an exaggeration to say fewer thaif 10 per cent of those who. weary ( ,f the world depression and its deplorable effects, voted Labour at last election.

The time would seem opportune for every elector in the Dominion carefully to read the Labour party's programme (especially as we have the arstirance of the Prime Minister hi* party "has but commenced" —intends "to go" the whole journey"—to "throw overboard orthodox methods of finance," and "to kick over the traces").

A manifesto, purporting to be that of the Xew Zealand Labour [>arty, has recently come into the hands of the writer, and he takes the opportunity of setting forth its principal contents, so that every publicity may l>e given to it and electors not to go to the poll at the forthcoming election without a knowledge of the real «ims ami objects of Mr. Savage and his supporters.

Following the objective already quoted, the document goes on to add that the aim of the party is (inter alia) the "abolition of the Legislative Council." the body that is, primarily, intended to prevent legislation being hurried through and so become law without due consideration and review.

Under the caption "Land," the Manifesto states as its aim the "tenure of acquired land to be perpetual lease conditional on occupancy and use, with periodic revaluations." Advocacy of a graduated tax on unimproved land values is then added. Thus, most clearly, the Labour party is opposed to the freehold. A fact those desirous of owning their own homes or acquiring their own farms may take note of.

A further objective is an "adjustment of taxation on land in business areas to prevent exploitation and to secure community values for the people." In at least one Act recently passed by the Labour Government the term "business" is so wide as practically to cover all fields of economic endeavour.

Under the caption "Finance and Credit." the aim of the party is stated to be a "State bank to act as a central bank, with full control of note issue." Further comment is here unnecessary, for this has been accomplished.

Coming to State ownership, the Manifesto includes all shipping services; State ownership of all branches of insurance (this will specially interest the many thousands of Xew Zealanders who hold life insurance policies) ; development of State coalmines, factories, farms and industrial services; also the establishment %>f State farms for the purpose of producing the people's foodstuffs. Few will deny that these objectives are closely in line with those of Russia and their development in Xew Zealand would certainly seem to spell the end of private enterprise in the Dominion. At least, to the writer, it would seem so.

Under the same caption a further clause is added to the effect that ''where national ownership of an industry is effected, all labour for such industry and at least half the board of control in each case shall be appointed by the union or unions affected. This savours strongly to the writer of the Russian system of Soviet or Trade Union control.

Under "Health"' the stated objective is "the nationalisation of the medical service, with free medical, dental and maternity attention." This should prove of special interest to the doctors, dentists, and maternity nurses in private practice in the Dominion. Dealing with "Housing." a clause ends with the pregnant words "elimination of private profit." This should be interesting to those who have worked, saved and put the result of their thrift into the building of houses which they have hoped to let to those desirous of renting them. Under "Education" a noteworthy objective is "the replacement of all military instruction in schools by constructive " education in humane thought." To the writer, the meaning contained in the phrase which makes up the last six words appears somewhat vague; possibly some reader may be able to explain them.

The eighth objective in the same section is similar to what the writer on a recent visit to China discovered had been tried by the Russian and the Chinese in Hankow when, a few years ago. this city was the centre of Communistic activity in the Orient. It runs:

"The universal language—Kspei unto — to be included in the eurrieilluni of all State schools." Yet it would seem doubtful even that mastery of this

••manufactured" language would enable New Zealanders of the future to talk and correspond with their Russian friends, for the writer lias learned in his travels that Esperanto lias fallen much out of use. having been replaced by another "artificial" language.

I'nder "Taxation." the objective includes an increase in the tax on unearned increments, increased graduated income tax. "with a corresponding reduction of indirect taxation for the purpose of removing the prisent burdens on family incomes." With an increase of some millions a year in direct taxation, something ha* been done by the Labour tiovernmeut in this direction, but one may look in vain for the reduction* in other forms of taxation. Under the caption "•Social." there is one es[>ecially interesting objective. It is the altolition of the lawyer in private practice, for the stated aim is ••free legal advice."

Xext follows the industrial objectives. Such include: "Provision of more leisure through the shortening of the working week"; -"full recognition of unionism as the basis of arbitration in industrial law, and consequent meml>ership of all workers engaged in the various industries." This, of course, brings in compulsory unionism.

The manifesto then goes on to advocate equal pay for equal work of both sexes in all department* of commercial, industrial and professional emplovment; trade union wages and hour* for all wage earners; amendment of the Arbitration Act to bring domestic servants and agricultural workers within its scope, and amendment of the Workers Compensation Act to provide for full payment of wages during the period of incapacitation and full medical expenses. No mention is made that the incapacitation should have been incurred during or owing to employment, so apparently it would apply to such, whatever and however suffered by all people who work for others. This contention may l>e incorrect, but the statement is not clear on the point—at any rate, to the writer.

Under "defence" is the stated objective "the repeal of the Military Service Act and the Defence Act."

Finally, the Manifesto concludes with the aim of "industrial and political unity of the workers of all countries" and the formation, "not of a League of Xation*. but a League of Peoples," and '•affirmation of the principle of self-determina-tion to be applied to all races for the purpose of terminating the ruthless plundering of nations by modern Imperialists."

In fairness to the Labour party, it may be mentioned the foregoing Manifesto was issued just before" the party came into office, and one must give credit to the Government for having been consistent. Many of the foregoing objectives have now" been accomplished, and doubtless if returned to power the rest will follow as a matter of course.

Mr. Savage recently estimated that 80 per cent of New Zealanders would on reaching the age of 00 benefit bv the 'superannuation scheme." The writer sincerely hopes he has exaggerated the numbers. If the result of Socialism is to be a mere pension of 30/ per week for 80 per cent of the people on attaining CO years of age, well, give us the old system under which the Dominion has been built up to its present state. Otherwise the outlook is a gloomy one indeed. W. H. HEMINGWAY.