N.Z. LEGION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21117, 19 March 1934, Page 12

N.Z. LEGION

4 —_. GENERAL PRINCIPLES ANNOI NCIiMENT (IF PKONHAMMB The substitution of ;i fc .v .-hires in place of hundred:-' of existing local bodies; a corresponding reduction in t!io si.-.e of Parliament, and in addition a permanent council, representing business, trade.-, and agriculture, to guide Parliament on economic matter.-, are amoim inlportant changes for the: complete rehabilitation of the Dominion'.- life advocated m tlie progiame now announced by the national executive of The New Zealand Dcgion. The legion's programme is anncunced as follow-:

■■ 1>: 'in The :rt'.mg up oi a limited number oi ".-hires. ' kliu.-.c creation would reduce the present number of lucal bodies by -ome hundreds, and would relieve the central government of many of ins present functiuns. which can be better exercised under local control. 'b 1 The reduction of both Houses of Pasiiamt nl. particularly tlu reduction of the Lower Mouse, to such a size as would enable H to become a truly deliberate c body. 'ei The creation of an elective executice, directly responsible to Par-liament—-much more directly than is Cabinet under the present forms. <d> The adoption, as an immediate measure, of preferential voting m the pi eseni electorates. In brief, democratic control (now only a theory) would become a fact, "party government" as we know it today would disappeir, and it would become possible to administer the affairs of the Dominion as a whole and of each component part on practical lines. <2> An economic council to be set tip as a ptrmanent institution to be de- \ eloped through the various existing organisations representing al! sections and interest.- of the community. The function of this economic council is to guide Parliament belli in an initiatory and a consultative capacity on all economic questions, especially those relating to production and consumption, so that these may be co-ordinated 111 the common interest. This body to replace the numerous special commissions now set up lor such purposes.

National Debt i.'l 1 <a> No more overseas borrowing. ; >b> Negotiations with the Britisn j Government to convert, on as favour- ; able terms as possible, all outstanding ; debt domiciled in Britain owed by the i New Zealand Government and local ! bodies, to a British Government loan, i all charges on sucn loan to be ser- | viced by the New Zealand Govern- | incut to the British Government di- j red. with a view to subsequent finan- I cial arrangements under (4>. <c> A conversion of all overseas com- ' mitments of local bodies to a New , Zealand Government loan. all j expenses of the Government. in j soi'vichi'4 such loan to be re- ! imbtirse'd by the local bodies ' concerned, su that no part of the ! cost of sei .ice will fall on the general taxpayer. (41 The organisation of a planned ', immigaiion scheme by agreement with i Great Britain to achieve <a) a better j balanced community and economic j organisation, (b) more complete use j of the country's existing assets, and a j corresponding of its wealth j and consuming power: <cl as a defence | measure. The agreement for such im- j migration scheme to allow of an ■ adequate period 'say two years) pre- | paration with immediate financial j consideration to enable taxation to be ! reduced and the present unemployed j absorbed, and the arrangements made ; in regard to suitable groups of immi- ! grants through a combined commit- , tec of New Zealand and British re- ' prcsenialivcs. j <Thc proposals arc substantially : those of the Debt Release and Immi- i gration Plan formulated by Dr. Camp- ! bell Begg. It should be emphasised that ; this plan neither suggests default nor | asks for any concession except for i value received. 1 >

Currency anil Hanking iji To bo under a system of control responsible to the State. This is to be taken in conjunction witli the non-party Government proposals and the Economic Council. Mil While no definite proposals arc put forward at this stage the Legion is alive to the evil of the present land system and to the fact that there must be. especially in connexion with immigration, a long-term policy for the maximum development, settlement, and availability of land, and a system of control to prevent speculation in community created vrducs. 17) A successful agreement with Britain under <3.» and '4) would resuit in such an availability of funds, with reduction in taxation, and the ability to start new industries and develop established ones, that it would result in the solution of the unemployed problem and the re-employ-ment of men at their own trades on full wages.

The necessity for full and' adequate wag''- both in industry and agriculture is imperative, not only on general social grounds, but also to increase consuming power.

What Could be Done Now In addition the following proposals ! are advanced:- - j <;i> Reproductive and well-planned i national public works at full wages, j These would be necessary and justified m expectation of increased population. ib> A closer liaison between those willing to sivo employment at adequate wa:;es and unemployed' men, through a better system of cmplovment bureaux. Government and voluntary, so that, ail circumstances beiiiß taken into consideration, there shall be no excuse for the refusal of offers of work. <ei Adequate suMcnance for those for whom there is no such work available. Provision made for vocational traimn- to be available to prepare men who have been a long time unemployed or youiiK men who have never been employed for absorption or reabsorption into muus.ry and agriculture. <<o An economic council or a bodyon similar lines to be s-t up immediate y to co-ordinate- the knowledge and the data the result of research work already available, and secure fresh data for the establishment of new industries.