Decisions By Labour Party On Remits To Conference

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29227, 10 June 1960, Page 16

Decisions By Labour Party On Remits To Conference

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 9.

A remit that the number of Maori members of Parliament be increased to five was referred to the Maori policy committee by the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party today. The conference rejected a remit calling for compulsory voting to be instituted, and also rejected one suggesting that the preferential system of voting and proportional representation be introduced. A remit demanding that any form of second chamber be opposed was adopted. One suggestion that all political parties have access to the radio during a general election campaign was rejected by the conference. The conference agreed with a recommendation from the industry and commerce and works committee that the lists of essential goods under price control be extended where there was evidence of overcharging. Where practicable the retail price of goods should be printed on labels. Funeral Charges Publicity should be given to the facts that had already emerged from investigations of charges by undertakers, said another adopted remit. The Government was asked to continue its investigations. The Government is also to be asked to investigate the effect on the coal industry of the sale of low cost residual oils. The present import licensing system was endorsed. The conference adopted an education, housing, and electoral committee recommendation that military training in schools be abolished. The conference agreed that income limits for qualification for State houses should be regularly reviewed. It was agreed that in setting up State housing settlements consideration should be given to the provision of accommodation for mixed age groups where practicable. Cook Strait Power The conference rejected a remit calling for the abandonment of the Cook Strait power cable project. It agreed, however, that the Government be urged to encourage the greater use of electric .power in the South Island. A remit suggesting that the metric system of weights and measures be adopted was referred to the Government for investigation and consideration along with decimal coinage. A remit that preference in reading and the development of airports be given to centres that lack main links was also referred to the Government for consideration, in conjunction with its overall planning. A remit that tribunals representative of manufacturers, traders, and consumers be ag» pointed to fix prices of important

commodities and services was rejected, and the present procedure was endorsed.

The conference threw out, as impracticable, a remit that the price of petrol be standardised throughout the country. However, the Government was urged to review periodically the possibility of extending the areas covered by standard prices. After considering a remit that an investigation be made into the sale and allocation of new cars, the conference agreed that the Government be requested to consider an increase in the importation of new cars arriving for assembly in New Zealand. Policy Committee

The conference approved the following policy committee recommendations on remits:— That the control of all transport be consolidated under a single ministry.

That to ensure the fullest use of New Zealand’s natural resources the control of fuel and power be co-ordinated under a single ministry. That effect be given to the decision of the 1959 conference which resolved that a commission be set up to investigate the needs of the islands people, the commission to include a representative of the Maori people and of the trade union movement. That January 2 be declared a statutory holiday. That the State should retain a major interest in any new industry capable of profoundly affecting the national economy. That the proposed aluminium industry be developed with participation in control and management by the State and the workers in the industry as well as the overseas interests. This was referred to the Parliamentary Labour Party for favourable consideration.

That a national air transport policy be formulated to provide in general for the development of the airways and to co-ordinate the military and civil air facilities. This was referred to the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr Mathison).