Labour Party’s election policy announced

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 15

Labour Party’s election policy announced

Undertakings to lower the voting age to 18, stabilise costs and prices, investigate social security benefits and set up a New Zealand Shipping Corporation are included in the Labour Party’s election manifesto, announced by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) last evening.

The policy, which has been collated in a 50-page booklet, says the party will, if it becomes the Government, encourage more accommodation for the aged, end compulsory military training, encourage pre-school education and reduce hospital waiting lists.

Housing loans will be reviewed, and there will be tax rebates for shift workers, no tax on Post Office and trustee savings bank interest and a tax incentive scheme to encourage approved investment.

There will be changes to tax on overtime and secondary employment, the party says, and lower tax rates for lower and middle-income groups are an objective.

-Other points from the party’s policy are:— Constitutional legislation will be intro<Msd to lower the voting ado-to 18. Jflie Electoral Act will be amended to ensure that the Squth Island has a minimum electorates. This number will be progressively increased until Parliament W 100 members. » Pari lament will be called together in the second week <jf February each year and aach session will be divided into two main parts. The first ami longest recess will be uSfed for Select Committee •ork. * More Select Committee meetings will be open to the public and the news media, and the public will be encourto attend. • The feasibility of estabGshing a Council of ParliansHt as a means of increastog" its effectiveness and widening the avenues for eipzens to represent their views directly will be examined. < The development of Regional government will be encouraged and supported. It is planned to strengthen local government by delegating to it-some of the functions of central government. ‘ The Ombudsman’s jurisdiction will be extended to all Jbcal bodies.

The Maori people will be consulted with a view to anending the Electoral Act sc that Maoris can enroll subject to residential qualifications on the electoral roll of their choice. The right of the individual to privacy will be established by legislation. Specific leglislation will be introduced to safeguard the individual’s eights in so far as they may be affected by the use of computer-based files.

Prices and rents ■JJvery effort will be made to stabilise costs within the country. Incentives through taa. adjustments to increase ptbductivity will be provided. Government charges which saffously affect production costs, such as freight rates, bulk electricity and Post and Telegraph charges will not be increased in the first term of a Labour Government

The financial and physical resources of the Consumers’ Institute will be expanded so that it may, in association with a reorganised Price Tribunal, and distribution division of the Department of. Trade and Industry, provide adequate facilities to maintain price supervision. Price justification will be retained and expanded with approved price adjustments adequately publicised. The Trade Practices Commission will be instructed to conduct an early inquiry into servicing charges such as home appliance and motor-vehicle repairs and home maintenance to establish a fair basis for charges. Rent Appeal Boards will be established in each district office of the Labour Department. They will be empowered to hear appeals and make decisions where either the tenant or landlord consider the rental terms are unfair. Social security A nation-wide investigation of beneficiaries’ actual living costs will be made, and benefits will be more properly related to wages, and maintained by establishing a special cost-of-living index for beneficiaries, and adjusting all means test benefits every six months. Allowable income for means test beneficiaries will be increased, and initially allowable income will be restored to its pre-Budget level.

Means test benefits will be available to all New Zealand Citizens, benefits will be paid fortnightly, and sickness benefits will be adjusted io that where husband and wife have worked full time for at least 12 months, a single benefit will be paid tor up to three months if Cither becomes iIL Sickness benefits will be paid from the first day off Work where the time lost is a week or more.

The Social Security Act ♦ill be amended so the benefit can be paid to those who Care for relatives in their •wn homes and so avoid their having to be admitted to medical institutions.

.’ Means test beneficiaries be paid an allowance of half their telephone rental.

. An allowance of half the television licence fee will be paid to means test beneficiaries who pay licence fees or become yearly rental subscribers. Travel concessions will be offered pensioners and their

wives on State-operated road, rail and inter-island ferry services.

A comprehensive wagerelated contributory superj annuation scheme will be started. Where circumstances warrant, the full family benefit will be able to be capitalised, and the present $2OOO limit will be raised. The upper basic income eligibility and the maximum that can be. capitalised will be reviewed 1 every six months. Maximum advances for home repairs and maintenance will be increased. A rates rebate scheme will be introduced for beneficiaries and those on low incomes. Finance Payroll tax will be abolished, and the tax on interest earned on personal accounts in the Post Office and trustee savings banks will be removed. Individuals undertaking secondary employment will on application, be permitted to become annual taxpayers in respect of their secondary earnings. To compensate those on shift work, such workers will be granted a rebate of 10 per cent of total income tax liability. A programme of tax incentives to encourage savings in approved investments will be introduced. Taxpayers will be able to place $lOOO or 10 per cent of income, whichever is greater, into approved accounts with savings institutions. This money will not incur income tax so long as it remains in the account, nor will it earn interest. The funds will be available for spending on house purchase or improvement, farm purchase or development, and the expansion of a business, and will incur no taxation at this point. If, however, the funds are withdrawn for another purpose, tax will be charged but tax-free interest will be allowed. Tax on overtime will not exceed the highest rate payable on the income earned on the basic working week at ordinary rates of pay. The creation of credit through the Reserve Bank will be used to stimulate growth. The Reserve Bank will reassume a leading role in managing the economy and determining the total level of credit available. Established banks will be permitted to- extend their activities in the field of personal loans.

Overseas capital, preferably in the form of debentures, will be sought for selected industrial development. An expanded Industrial Development Finance Corporation will channel such funds into suitable investments.

All proposals which involve the investment of capital controlled by nonresidents will be scrutinised by a new Monopolies Commission. Take-over bids will be subject to the same commission.

The commission will make an immediate assessment of the extent of foreign ownership and control of land, industry and other resources. The money for the expanded programmes will come from the natural growth of the economy, loan finance, induced growth, and a review of Government spending. It is the objective to reduce taxation rates for the lower and middle income groups as a reward tcf them for their contribution to the economy. Social welfare Spending on social welfare will be substantially increased, eventually to 1 per cent of the gross national product. Special emphasis will be given to newly-developing

areas and those lacking adequate social and cultural amenities through a physical welfare and cultural branch of the Ministry.

A Social Welfare Council will be established to coordinate State welfare and the voluntary agencies. The services of the Social Welfare Department will be expanded.

Social research will be fostered, and training for social workers will be given increased support. Meals on wheels and similar services will be extended, and a greater variety of accommodation for the elderly will be encouraged. Subsidies will cover 90 per cent of the total cost of accommodation for the aged, or the full cost of the building only, and subsidies for the alteration of existing institutions will be increased. More geriatric beds will be provided in hospitals, and old people’s homes legislation will be reviewed. Increased use of local school facilities outside of school hours will be provided for, and subsidies will be made available for the establishment of child care centres. The Child Welfare Act will be revised. Community care for the handicapped will be expanded. Justice The courts will be given new powers to enable them to make the punishment fit the crime, to make fuller use of powers to order restitution and compensation, and to deprive criminals and hooligans of motor-vehicles and direct that the proceeds from the sale of these are applied to restitution or compensation. Magistrates will be empowered to use “social punishments” more freely. Youth development centres to which young offenders will be sent will be established. An advisory council will review penalties, crime prevention and rehabilitation training, and the probation service will be more adequately staffed. The legal-aid system will be overhauled, and a Royal Commission will be set up to report on the production, distribution and sale of liquor and addictive drugs. The Youth Aid section of the police will be greatly expanded. The right of peaceful protest and dissent will be protected. Health Planning for a third medical school will start immediately, as will a detailed analysis of requirements in all health fields. Waiting lists in all hospital districts will be reduced; outpatient psychiatric services will be expanded; grants will be provided for the establishment of mobile health services in sparselypopulated districts. The Hospital Advisory Council will be reconstituted and expanded. The availability of doctors and health services in country districts and smaller towns will be improved; the milk in schools scheme;will be reintroduced where the need is recognised by the Health Department, and negotiations will be held with the medical profession for an increase in the general medical services benefit. Dental services will be extended to cover dependent children until they are 18, and orthodontic treatment for dependent children will be incorporated in the Social Security scheme. Education

Development of pre-school education will be encouraged,

with pre-school centres provided when needed in all new major housing developments. Grants and loans for equipment will be expanded, and adequate remuneration offered full-time teachers and supervisors. The Departments of Social Welfare and Education will be required to co-operate in the development of day-care centre schemes for the children of working parents. The recommendations of the 1962 Currie Report relating to teacher-student ratios will be implemented, replacement of “prefab” classrooms with good quality mobile classrooms will be accelerated, the whole structure of educational administration will be examined, and teacher and student representation on controlling bodies will be provided for. All children will be given the opportunity of appreciating and participating in Maori and other Polynesian languages and cultures. Existing aid to independent schools will continue at present levels, and community colleges will be established to increase the availability of continuing education. As soon as possible an educational development conference will be called, with overseas experts being invited. Agriculture The farm lending activities of the State Advances Corporation will be reconstituted as a Rural Banking and Finance Corporation. The Corporation will hold farm ownership investment accounts, in which those farmers not owning farms may make tax-deductible deposits from their farming income to go towards future farm purchase. The corporation will be in charge of providing any special assistance to farmers. Growth of the Cooperative Wool Marketing Corporation will be facilitated; funds for repair of existing farm houses will be made available, and State rental houses will be provided for farm workers in suitable areas. A farm settlement scheme will be established to give young men the chance to acquire farms, and a national farm training scheme will be established. All new fertiliser and freezing-works will be cooperatively owned, new and upgraded irrigation schemes will be encouraged, survey of irrigable areas will be made, and the full capital cost of new schemes, including on-farm border dyking be met. There will be up to 100 per cent loans for spray irrigation plant, with repayment to start in the fourth year. Housing Ceilings for 3 per cent loans will be regularly reviewed, and as a first step the gross income eligibility will be raised to $6O a week plus $4 a week for each child. A new loan at 4| per cent will be introduced for those whose incomes do not exceed $75 a week. The State Advances Corporation will be expanded to provide planning and advisory services for home builders. The number of houses built for the State Advances Corporation will be increased, and the income bar for State house tenancy abolished. Approved existing homes will be bought in to increase the pool of public rental houses under the State Advances Corporation. Urgent steps will be taken to increase the construction of pensioner flats. A new loan will be introduced for the restoration and improvement of existing homes. Foreign investment Foreign investment in New Zealand will be strictly supervised. The first consideration will be the type and quality of economic

growth that it makes possible. New development or expansion of existing industry will be financed through the Development Finance Corporation, which will have authority to expand its New Zealand capital and also to borrow overseas. To retain New Zealand control over development all proposals involving the investment of capital controlled by non-residents, whether a new enterprise or in land or for the purchase of existing concerns, will be scrutinised by a Monopolies Commission of five members appointed by the Governor-General. The Commission will be instructed to prevent any investment that has the effect of transferring profits previously payable in New Zealand to overseas investors. Subsidiaries of overseas companies will be required to issue more detailed financial reports than at present. Broadcasting Labour favours the present principle of public ownership of broadcasting and television facilities. Corporation control will be supported without infringing the freedom of the existing licence-holders. The N.Z.B.C. will provide a nation-wide radio and television coverage of both a commercial and noncommercial character. The establishment of the second television channel which will have colour capability will be expedited. The N.Z.B.C. will ’ be responsible for all technical facilities for television, but regional councils will be given a measure of local control. They will be charged with providing adequate local content and determining leasing arrangements for a designated viewing period. Such arrangements will involve some competitive tendering for both programme and advertising time.

The N.Z.B.C. will be required to provide adequate radio programmes of popular interest to young people. The regional councils will be similarly charged in the field of television. A television education system with the widest possible application will be instituted, and the concept of a University of the Air will be promoted. The Broadcasting Authority will be restructured and charged with the independent supervision of programme standards. It will also be an appeal authority to receive and act on complaints by the public. Complete television' coverage will be given high priority. Support of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council will be continued. Local government will be assisted by grants for suitable projects and private individuals and enterprises will be encouraged to take part in approved cultural appeals by tax concessions.

The present restrictions on the importation of educational, scientific and cultural materials by public institutions will be removed. A fund will be established for the payment of a public lending right to New Zealand authors. New Zealand culture will be vigorously promoted abroad by exhibition exchanges, participation in international exhibitions, concert tours, publications and exchange schemes for artists, composers, writers, and sportsmen, particularly with those in Pacific, Asian and American countries. Defence Compulsory military training will be abolished, and defence forces will be manned by regular servicemen. Pay and allowances will be adjusted. Every practical step will be taken to protect New Zealand’s territorial security and the security of its channels of trade. Environment Research will be initiated into the relationships between the size and the rate of growth of the population,

and the use of environmental resources. More funds will be allocated for the purchase of reserves. Legislation will be enacted to preserve Lake Wanaka, specifically to ban works that would alter the natural range of levels of the lake. A Ministry of Recreation and Sport will be established. Immigration An accelerated passage scheme for selected immigrants will be introduced. A more liberal attitude will be adopted towards applications from persons who have already settled in New Zealand to have their parents join them from overseas. Importing Where existing industrial units have been or are being adversely affected as a result of import relaxation, protection will be reintroduced. The administration of import licensing will be transferred to a special section of the Development Division of the Department of Trade and Industry. Current licences will be reviewed. An Export-Import Corporation will be established, and goods imported under major bilateral trade deals will be made freely available through normal commercial channels. Industrial development The Development Finance Corporation will be superseded by an Industrial Development Finance Corporation, intended to make advances or guarantee bank finance for industrial development. Regional Development Councils will be set up. Goods travelling interisland by rail will be at a unit rate. Freight subsidies of up to 75 per cent will be available for finished products. Where South Island exporters are at a disadvantage because of excessive freight rates or infrequent service, the Industrial Development Finance Corporation will negotiate with the New Zealand Shipping Corporation to ensure the provision of alternative services. Industrial relations The Remuneration Authority will be abolished, the Factories Act will be amended to provide better working conditions, and housewives and other noneamers will be included in the Accident Compensation Bill. All workers will receive at least three weeks annual leave, and the Minimum Wage Act will be amended to remove discrimination against women and establish a minimum rate which will provide a living wage for a 40-hour week.

Legislative provision will be made for the investigation of profit sharing and productivity bargaining. International affairs The People’s Republic of China will be recognised, the remaining detachments of New Zealand armed services will be withdrawn from Vietnam, and a conference of Pacific nations will be called with a view to establishing a nuclear weapon and test-free zone. New Zealand representation overseas will be expanded. The A.N.Z.U.S. treaty will be maintained. In consultation with A.N.Z.U.K. treaty countries a reasonable date will be established for the return home of New Zealand forces from Malaysia and Singapore. Other arrangements will be made for the continuation of the social and economic work undertaken by the S.E.A.T.O. organisation, and for the phasing out of any military commitment. Local government The Local Government Commission will be strengthened and its jurisdiction extended over power and harbour boards. The commission will prepare a plan to describe areas as a basis for practical regional government, and the

completed plan win be submitted to referendum in each region as defined. There will be an urgent appraisal of local-body spending, and in the short term a system of rate relief for those on benefits and low incomes. Every ratepayer will meet the first $5O of his rates, plus onethird of the rest, the other two-thirds being met by the Government. The full rebate will be available to those whose income does not exceed $2340, including the wife’s income, plus $156 for each other dependent. The rebate will reduce by $1 for every $8 over the limits. Maori affairs Maori language will be introduced as an optional subject in secondary schools, and programmes in Maori studies will be introduced at primary and intermediate schools. Vocational guidance and trade training programmes will be reviewed. February 6 will be declared New Zealand Day and a public holiday to mark the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. A practical means of legally acknowledging the principles set out in the treaty will be investigated. Energy aid works The Ministry of Energy Resources will be strengthened and expanded. Natural cheap sources of power in both islands will be developed. More efforts will be made to develop and use geothermal steam for power production. Greater encouragement will be given to coal research. The Ministry of Works will become the Ministry of Work and Development. Sufficient finance will be provided for roading, and the operations of the National Roads Board will be investigated. A roading conference will be called. The Public Works Act and the Town and Country Planning Act will be reviewed. The procedures for the compulsory taking of land will be amended to give more protection to the owner. Shipping The State Shipping Corporation will be established to develop freight services. It will be authorised to charter or b> iy ships and establish a snipping line. The possibility of a joint shipping venture with another country will be investigated. The shipping corporation will examine the role of coastal shipping and institute a tug and barge service.