POLICY POINTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 297, 12 September 1938, Page 10

POLICY POINTS

Platform Of National Party WAGES NOT TO BE CUT Ministry Of Social Welfare By Telegraph—Press Association FAIRLIE, September 10. Several points of the National Party's policy were released by Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P.. speaking in Fairlie last night to an attendance of 360. “We will not cut wages under any circumstances.” he said. “We are not going to cut pensions. We will not reduce civil servants' salaries, and we will not increase working hours. We are going to leave those questions to an unfettered Arbitration Court, a thing we do not possess at present. Since the compulsory system of arbitration bad been established it would be retained, as speed was an important factor iu the settlement of industrial disputes. Mr. Holland continued. He advocated the appointment of four magistrates to deal with the citation of awards and minor disputes. Compulsory unionism would be abolished

The National Party intended to return to owners of bouses their right to regain possession and would have a housing scheme with occupier-owner-ship. Then a scheme would have to be evolved for erecting bouses on the land with a first mortgage to give homes to farm workers and farmers’ sous.

The National Party would establish a ministry of social welfare, one object being the improvement of the health and well-being of women and children and the bringing together of women's organisations. In addition it would provide a complete free health service for that section of the community unable to pay. Mr. Holland mentioned the need for a scheme of trainee apprenticeship to overcome difficulties in the employment of young people. The National Party would reduce costs without reducing wages by increasing industrial efficiency, he added. Probably some industries would need a scheme on the lines of profit sharing, payment by results or piecework. “We arc not going to make a lot of ■empty promises,” he declared, "Tlie promises wo make will lie carried out.”