LABOUR PARTY POLICY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23916, 7 April 1943, Page 2

LABOUR PARTY POLICY

REMITS FOR EASTER CONFERENCE CONTROL OF FOODSTUFFS SUGGESTED The nationalisation of all essential industries, particularly freezing, meat and meal canning, and munitions, and Government control of purchasing and distribution of all essential foodstuffs, arc*among the 400 remits to be considered by the New Zealand Labour Party at its annual Easter conference, which will be opened in Wellington on April 26. Remits dealing with policy matters and finance top the list. The 400 remits received have been consolidated into 57 groups according to the subjects with which they deal. Some of the suggestions made are: maximum utilisation of the Internal Marketing Division: socialisation of coal mines after the war; making armament factories State owrted and controlled: fixing income limit at (!' £SOO, (2) £1000; introduction of compulsory war loans: , taking over (D Bank of New Zealand; (2) all banking institutions; abolition of loaning of money at interest: use of Reserve Bank credit for (1) payment of war debts; (2) internal expenditure; immediate introduction of legislation to bring about monetary reform; framing a plan tor a post-war world; international and foreign policy being determined by the people, who shall ratify any agreement only by referendum. A numbet of remits deal with pensions and allowances, income tax and wages tax deductions, and social security and education. Among general remits is one advocating that the voting age be lowered to 18 years. Others recommend the repeal of the law abolishing capital punishment; making jury service for women compulsory; preference to housewives over breweries in the allocation of sugar; stabilisation of fruit and vegetable prices There are remits suggesting more Price Tribunal inspectors with wider powers, and the broadcasting of commodity prices between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Election Plans The policy to be submitted to the electors will be formulated at the conference, and plans, for the election campaign inaugurated. Mr J. Roberts, who has been national president since 1937. will preside. He has again been nominated for the position of president. There are two other candidates, the Minister of Health (the Hon.. A. H. Nordmeyer). the present vice-presi. dent, and Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., for Timaru. Thirteen nominations have been received for the office of vicepresident, three for the position of secretary-treasurer, and 39 for the five seats on the central executive. The industrial conference will precede the conference of the political organisation. Delegates to the New Zealand Federation of Labour will mee<t in Wellington on April 19. The Minister of National Service (the Hon. A. McLagan. M.L.C.) and Mr F. D. Cornwell, who have been national president and national secretary-treas-urer since the formation of the federation, have been re-elected unopposed.