Manifesto collates 26 policy statements

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 25

Manifesto collates 26 policy statements

The National Party has released its manifesto for the General Election, the last of the three main parties to do so. The party has broken with its tradition of putting out along manifesto, which details its policies. Instead, the 1981 manifesto is a collection of 26 policy statements which have been released over the last month. About 500 copies of the booklet, sub-titled "Policies for the decade of the 80s." will be on sale in Christchurch for $3.50 each. However, free copies of the separate policy statements are also available. The secretary of the Canterbury-Westland division of the National Party. Mr G. .1. Johnstone, said the new form of the manifesto had been a tremendous success. It was by far the best way to put across policy, because people could take" the policy statement they wanted without having to buy the whole booklet. The 26 policy statements, printed on glossy paper, include a multitude of photographs. diagrams. and graphics. They emphasise the achievements of the Government in the last six years. The manifesto opens with a section on New Zealand society, headed “It’s people that really matter." "National's principles are clear: protection of the freedom of the individual: support and care for the family: concern that the community is capable of responding to the needs and aspirations of its people. Allied to .this is the need to ensure that our nation is strong enough to protect the integrity of our own people and the people of the nations near to us.” it says. Personal and political freedom must be the basis of New Zealand society. Individuals must be to take part in decision-making and to accept responsibility. National was committed to keeping people informed and involved. The Government had to protect the right to equality of opportunity, equality of access to society's facilities, to privacy and to security of person and property. National was committed to strengthening and protecting the family and would continue to ensure that every family was adequately housed and had access to the health and educational facilities they needed. New Zealand's task in the 1980 s was to establish its nationhood in the Pacific. The Government should be strong in the affairs of the nation, maintaining the economy, the rule of law and defence. Agriculture provided more than 70 per cent of New Zealand's export income, directly employed about 159.000’ people and gave indirect employment to about four times that many. The volume of production from farms was up by 17.5 per cent since 1978 and National planned to maintain and build on this growth. National would continue with production based incentives as the main thrust of its agricultural support policies. It would ensure that investment funds were available to maintain the growth momentum. Communications New Zealand had a high quality communications system which wa_s>prepared to take advantage of new developments in broadcasting and information technology. National was committed to making the best services available to the' greatest number of people and to maximum participation by private enterprise. Completing coverage of TVI and TV2 would take priority. F.M. radio would be introduced early next year and the development of educational television and radio would continue. Economy National's growth strategy was based on a diversified future. The party had narrowed the gap between export income and import costs. It was committed to a major reform of taxation by stimulating income and productivity. reducing personal income tax and broadening the tax base. It had encouraged growth by freeing the economy. It had created new market opportunities, and negotiations for closer economic relations with Australia were nearly ended. Education National had invested more in education than ever before. It would continue to modernise and expand school curricula. It would, continue to pay special attention to the handicapped and encourage better understanding between cultures. National recognised the need for more pre-school education. The present Tertiary Assistance Grant Scheme would be adjusted to better meet the needs of students who did not live in university centres. It would complete the task of integrating church schools which wanted

to be integrated, while preserving their special character. Employment Growth would give work to everyone who wanted it. National had not given away the goal of full employment. Increased job opportunities were dependent on economic growth.' A wide range of wage subsidy and skill training schemes also had been introduced. National's growth strategy would create new jobs in export industries, in small businesses that service the big industries and through earning or saving overseas exchange. The growth strategv would allow the creation of 410.000 jobs during the 1980 s. On industrial relations. National believed the Government had the responsibility to promote fair laws and administration and to provide procedures between employers and workers. The aim of National's wages policy was to ensure negotiated wage rates were consistent with the need to contain inflation and improve employment opportunities. Industry must be able to take advantage of new technology to remain competitive. but consultation between management and workers was essential. National would consider defining when redundancy payments should be made and maximum and minimum levels for them. Energy National's aim on energy was to ensure an orderly transition from an economy dependent on imported oil to one relying on New Zealand's diversified energy resources'. It had set New’ Zealand on a course where it would be 50 per cent self-sufficient in transport fuels by 1987. National had already made a number of decisions as part of a balanced plan towards energy self-suffi-ciency: • A $l7O million programme to reticulate natural gas from the Maui gas field to major regions of the North Island: • The development of compressed natural gas and a programme to convert 150.000 cars to C.N.G.; ® A nationwide distribution system for liquefied petroleum gas and conversion of cars to L.P.G.; 9 The expansion of the Marsden Point oil refinery: 9 A $5OO million programme for oil and gas exploration. National would not squander non-renewable energy resources. but would use them to make an orderly transition towards use of renewable resources. Environment Economic development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. Development and conservation could be complementary. National would continue to ensure that areas of New Zealand with unique ecological systems, distinctive scenery and natural features were preserved. Detailed studies of air pollution control methods for new and expanding industries were being undertaken. National’s long-term policy was to reduce the milling of native forests to the point where native timber was available only for special use. On forestry, the manifesto said that New Zealand's future lay in exotic trees. Major investment projects were planned to cater for the new volumes of timber which would come onto the market in the next 15 years. Production would double by the mid 1990 s and again by the year 2015. and would provide a seven-fold increase in export earnings. Foreign Affairs Security of access to foreign markets was essential for the loqg-term expansion of New Zealand's trade. National recognised the importance of maintaining A.N.Z.U.S. and A.S.E.A.N.. and-moving into a range of new relationships with countries. Great importance was placed on ties with Australia and the United States, the Middle East, and Africa. National would work within the United Nations and the Commonwealth, and would advance the cause of disarmament in a realistic manner. It would seek to protect the Antarctic' against harmful exploration. National would continue to persuade New Zealand sporting bodies to observe the Gleneagles agreement. On defence. National believed the security and stability of the Pacific was fundamental to the future growth of New Zealand. It would continue to reject policies of isolationism and nonalignment. National would ensure that New Zealand's armed forces had the capability and equipment to meet all the country’s needs. Health National was committed to providing the best and most

accessible health services possible within the limit of the resources available. National would continue to improve the flexibility and diversity of the health services. implement community and preventive medicine, expand occupational health services. control pollution gnd encourage early identification of medical’problems in school and pre-school age children.. Housing The key emphasis of National's ’housing policies would be to ensure that: 9 There are the right incentives to encourage people to save for home ownership: ® First-home seekers are able to choose: 9 Adequate finance is available through the private sector; 9 The Housing Corporation can concentrate on its traditional role of assisting lowincome families; ® Subsidised rental accommodation is available for those in need: 9 There is a greater degree of stability in the building industry. Manufacturing Manufacturing was an important part of National's growth strategy. The ’direction of future development would be built around protection for efficient production. continuity of employment. more exports based on New Zealand resources and import replacement- inuustries. It would encourage further development of efficient manufacturing, assist small businesses, and free industry from unnecessary regulation and control. It would investigate ways of ensuring adequate venture capital was available from private and public sources. Maori Affairs ■ National would encourage land development to provide work, income and develop skills for Maori people. Finance would be available through the Maori Affairs Department. National gave a sympathetic hearing to Maori land claims. Development of urban maraes were essential for keeping the Maori identity. Regional development National's growth strategy was export-oriented and built on what New Zealand did well It was based on promotion of exports from landbased industries, manufacturing. tourism and fishing:

the drive towards energy self-sufficiency: and the development of new resources. It recognised small businesses and would be based • on growth from the regions. I National's regional de- ■ velopment programme provided additional financial support and attracted new investments and industries to the regions. Social welfare National's policies on social service spending, reflected its dual responsibility to the. taxpayer and the beneficiary. Contributions had to be used to the best effect and beneficiaries had to be treated fairly. National's policies were geared to better use of limited funds, using various methods like staff training, management audits, office inspection and financial control systems. , The social welfare programme should be adaptable and should help people to become more self-supporting. Child care made a valuable contribution to society. As soon as economic circumstances would permit, National would review the 13 week limit on National Superannuation and other benefits to people during overseas trips and the portability of National Superannuation for eligible New Zealanders living overseas. Transport Transport and growth were mutually dependent. The direction of National's transport policy, was toward natural development of the transport services in New Zealand based on efficiency and competition. As the Railways, with electrification of the North Island main trunk line and setting up of the Railways Corporation, became more efficient, the road user charges system would be gradually lifted. Law On law and order, the manifesto said National's aim was to have fewer and more effective laws. It would continue to make changes to protect the citizen and deter the criminal and-would allow the course to impose deterrent sentences for major violence. drug dealing, and white collar crime. It would provide greater emphasis on the innocent victim of crime and provide better laws for restitution. It would broaden the range oi community sentences and develop criminal bankruptcy rules for the confiscation of the proceeds of criminal activity.