POLITICAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 132, 23 July 1941, Page 5

POLITICAL

MR BURNETT SETS OUT HIS PLATFORM A PROGRESSIVE INDEPENDENT To the Electors, — Ladies and Gentlemen, In view of the possibility of a general election I desire to briefly and respectfully set out in definite terms the planks of my platform. I will go to the poll as an "Independent" candidate, free of political parties and free from political pledges. I will, if elected, advocate and support:—A maximum war effort on the basis of an "all in" policy. A Tribunal to annually examine and give effect to a more equitable imposition of taxation. A reduction in taxation by the elimination of wasteful policy and economic reform. The liberal widening of the "Sales Tax" exemption except on non-essentials and luxuries. An examination of "cost of living" factors. The immediate organisation of farm labour and the institution of youth

apprenticeships with a 50 per cent, wage (State) subsidy. A vigorous closer "land settlement" policy to encburage our youth to the land and divert the drift to the cities. Native and Crown land development. Currency reform and "State Bank" free of political control. The retention or freehold and optional land tenures. The preservation of our constitutional rignts especially in regard to rights of appeal. "Order in Council" and Rules and Regulations to be confirmed by parliament. Parliamentary and electoral reform. Protection of the rights of the Civil Service. Maintenance of social security benefits. The sympathetic repatriation of our returned men. The retention of the forty hour week except in respect to those industries and activities generally that in the opinion of the "War Cabinet" should be temporarily increased or amended to facilitate the war effort. Prison reform and the utilisation of prison labour to complete existing railways. The extension of "District Nurse" organisations and increased personnel. The encouragement of economic secondary industries. The retention of the "guaranteed price plan" with provision for an annual representative tribunal to examine costs factors, both parties to be bound by the price decision, in the alternative a referendum of the dairy producers. A more rigid censorship of children's films and a woman's (organisations) representative on tne Censor Board. Reduction of Rural phone rates and the institution of the flat rate. Greater "State" assistance to rural and urban housing. A policy of greater encouragement to settle open spaces. Motherhood endowment and an adjustment of family allowances. A cessation of "overseas" borrowing. Death duties to be hypothecated to reduction of national debt. The retention of our education system, and every encouragement being given to building a healtny self reliant youth who will lean on their own efforts and resources by inculcating the spirit that characterised the pioneer of this Dominion. The abolition of the pernicious system of "Party Government," which is not only undemocratic but results in a senseless system of economic waste and lastly, the encouragement of a greater spirit of tolerance, unity and goodwill and the deprecation of acrimonious captions and unhelpful criticism in regard to our "war effort." In conclusion I confidently place my services again at the disposal of the electorate feeling that my life experience as a farmer and over thirty years' service on all public bodies including a long and,valuable experience on the Wellington Land Board' and three years in Parliament will commend my candidature to you in this extensive electorate. Faithfully yours, C. H. BURNETT. P.S. —Pending the appointment of my election secretary I will be grateful if those ladies and gentlemen deserious of serving on my town and country committees will write or communicate with me personally at sth Avenue, Tauranga. Phone 424. —C.H.B.