Tory Manifesto Published

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32308, 28 May 1970, Page 15

Tory Manifesto Published

(N.Z. Press Assn. —CoptjriflhW LONDON, May 27. Britain’s Opposition Conservative Party has issued its platform for the General Election on June 18, promising to fight inflation, reduce taxes, curb coloured immigration, take strong action against violence, and keep military forces east of Suez.

The document, called “A Better Tomorrow,” pledges improved conditions for all sections of the community, from schoolchildren to old-age pensioners. It guarantees that the controversial issues of race and law and order will figure prominently in the Tory campaign. The Labour Government’s platform is due to be published later in the week.

“There will be no further large-scale permanent immigration,” the Tory document’s section on race relations declares.

Thus, the party’s stand on race has moved closer to the position of Mr Enoch Powell, the Right-wing legislator who was dismissed from the Conservatives’ Shadow Cabinet two years ago for his volatile remarks on the issue, but who has remained a top Conservative vote-catcher.

Mr Powell suggested then that the Government should offer coloured immigrants £2OOO each to help them to return home voluntarily. The platform incorporates this idea—at least, as far as saying that there, will be assistance to Commonwealth immigrants who wish to return home.

The Conservative Party pledges support for proposals to maintain British defence forces east of Suez., in the Persian Gulf and in SouthEast Asia.

The Labour Government plans to withdraw all military forces east of Suez by the end of 1971. “We have proposed a fivePower defence force to help to maintain peace and stability in South-East Asia,” the document says. “We will discuss this with our allies and Commonwealth friends—Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. “Similar talks will be held with leaders of the Gulf.” On the controversial issue of law and order, the Tories promise to deal more swiftly with offences “peculiar to the age of demonstration and disruption.” Other key points include: TAXES.—“We will reduce and reform taxation, giving the first priority to reducing in-come-tax, so that people will keep a fairer reward for their work.”

INFLATION.—In addition to lower taxes, the Tories promise to cut Government

spending and strengthen competition to keep prices down. NATIONALISATION. “We will stop further nationalisation, and create a climate for free enterprise to expand.” STRIKES.— A new Industrial Relations BUI will contain the framework for binding agreements between unions and employers.

HOUSING. The Tories promise to house the homeless, modernise older homes, and clear slums.

PENSIONS.—Wider benefits for widows and those over 80 are pledged.

The Conservative Party Leader (Mr Edward Heath), promises a new-look government, contrasting with the “gimmickry” he says is typical of Labour Party rule, but he avoids commitment to detail.

“How fast we can go depends on the situation when we take over,” he says in an introduction to the document.