FOR A BETTER, GREATER NEW ZEALAND

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 88, 7 November 1939, Page 6

FOR A BETTER, GREATER NEW ZEALAND

Sir, —Now that the Government has assured (By the Reserve Bank Amendment Act) an absolute financial control, I believe the time is opportune to initiate a new, popular, very pregressive Dominion policy, including the following measures, which I feel sure would be greeted and supported most enthusiastically by a big majority of the New Zealand electors: —• 1. Fix the exchange rate on London finally and irrevocably at par, thus greatly pleasing our best customer, and showing that after a long and unwarranted delay we now honestly intend to carry out both the letter and the spirit of our agreement made to Ottawa. 2. Abolish the sales tax on all necessities. 3. No Customs duties on any necessities under £20 in net value in country of origin, provided the goods are imported directly by the ultimate user, and are not to be resold as articles of commerce for a profit within 12 months from date of landing. This would enable the New Zealand public to obtain the maximum variety, service, and value instead of being forced to buy inferior, unsuitable, and dearer goods, or else go without. It would also be the sure and final means to weed out uneconomic New Zealand industries, and prevent all possibility of profiteering and exploitation in any form whatever. 4. Repeal the Gaming Act, 1908, and substitute a very liberal law internally, but still prohibit the remittance of money to overseas lotteries. Book-making under strict State supervision would be licensed, and totalisator taxes re-

duced to 5 per cent gross. At long last the bettors would get here the same justice as in England. 5. Liberally reduce all rail charges for distances uiider 25 miles. 6. Restore letter postage to Id. for each 1 oz. inland, including Niue, Cook Islands, and Western Samoa, and ljd. for each h oz. to all overseas countries; air mail at double these respective rates. 7. Cease all unproductive public works, except those urgently required for internal New Zealand defence. 8. Universal military and industrial service by all fit and partially fit men from 18 to 60 inclusive, sole ly for the internal defence of New Zealand against a possible invasion. 9. Abolish all unemployed workers as a victimised, minority class with incomes far below the average,, by equal rationing of all the work in each occupation, so that every worker (male or female) over 21 and under 60 would be steadily and permanently employed at his or her own trade. Favouritism, penalties, or exclusion by employers would be illegal, except for hopeless incompetence or insubordination. In at least 30 towns an expert, honest, and strictly impartial tribunal for each occupation would consider and adjust grievances promptly and also do its utmost to increase the efficiency of its trade both locally and nationally. 10. All important national issues, political and industrial, to be decided by a compulsory, secret, postal ballot of the entire electors. Nothing would be left in doubt, either in peace or war, as to the real trend of New Zealand current public opinion. This is 100 per cent democracy, the kind we would all be keen to live for. Hoping this new political and industrial policy in its entirety is soon adopted, so that New Zealand will rapidly become a great nation, and a shining example once more to the

world of what democratic efficiency and progress at their best really are. —I am etc., LEAD ON, NEW ZEALAND.