REFORM PARTY'S PROGRAMME.

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 138, 9 December 1919, Page 3

REFORM PARTY'S PROGRAMME.

A SOUND AND PROGRESSIVE POLICY. In announcing the Government programme on Saturday, Hth October, 1919, th* Prime-Minister (the Right Hon. AY. F. Massoy) said: "Various .political policies hay« been put forward recently, and in publishing my ideas of what the country requires, I want it to be distinctly understood that.l have no intention of attempting to outbid other competitors for the favour of the electors. I take the opportunity of submitting a policy which,.in my judgment, will be required by this country during the difficult period of reconstruction and development upon which we have entered. THE GOVERNMENT POLICY, 1. A sound Government with strong administrative capacity, clearly recognisinj its duty, and, without fear or favour, party motive or personal interest, conscientiousla doing its best for the good of the country and all its citizens. 2. Careful and economical administration by avoiding waste and extravagance, though without parsimony or the arrest of progress, thus ensuring to the taxpayer fu> value for his expenditure. .3. An immediate and a thorough reform of the system of both direct and indirect taxationso as to make it more equitable in its incidence, with a substantial reduction of taxation at the earliest possible date. 4. Sympathetic and generous treatment for our returned soldiers, with speci_ attention to the needs and interests of incapacitated and partially disabled men and thi dependents of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Grat War. A board to bl appointed who will deal with special cases of hardship. TRANSPORTATION .AND DEVELOPMENT, 5. DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOMINION by—: (a) The speedy completion of railways and extension »f transit facilities; (b) The construction and improvement of Roads and Light Railways for) opening up back' country; and (c) A comprehensive utilisation of national water-power for electrical pur« poses in order to accelerate industry and improve civic conditions. 6. Increasing the Dominion's output and exports by energetic land settlement oF both Crown and privately-owned land, and providing facilities for increased production, including the encouragement of wheat-growing in order to make Now Zealand independent of other countries for its foodstuffs, and the profitable cultivation of waste, swamp, and arid areas, so as to make the fullest possible use of at present undeveloped territory. This will involve taking such measures, by legislation or otherwise, as will prevent the holding of lands, fit for agricultural purposes, in an unproductive condition, i 7. State assistance in marketing products by securing the best possible traniport arrangements, either by State-owned ships or otherwise, thus preventing exploitation of both producers and consumers. ,< 8. ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIES in every possible way, but especially by— ■ . ■ (a) Using up our own raw materials.; (b) Encouraging the establishment of ironworks, shipbuilding, and other. secondary industries, with a view to providing employment for out people and avoiding a disadvantageous trade balance; and (c) Encouraging the fishing industry by financial assistance, for the purpos* of providing cold storage and up-to-date fishing vessels and gear-r repayment to be made on the instalment system. The fishing in* terests of the Dominion to be placed under one Minister... SHIPPING FACILITIES '=- THE PANAMA CANAL ROUTE. 9. Up-to-date shipping and mail services between New Zealand mhT Great Britai* through'the Panama Canal. 10. Development and encouragement of New Zealand trade with-the islands of th« Pacific. ■•■••■•- ---. 11. Strengthening Imperial unity and. relations by doing our-share in a sound scheme of Imperial preference, which will give British citizens in British countries „• commercial and industrial advantages to which they are indisputably entitled, the principle of Imperial preference to be applied to immigration in order to eliminate as far as possible dangerous alien interests and influences. 12. A vigorous and extensive housing scheme intended to abolish slum areas and to effect a-national improvement in the housing of the people both in town and country. More assistance to local,authorities with the tame object, and the limit of loans under the Advances to Workers Act and the AVorkers' Dwellings Act to be increased to at least £300 in each case; at least £1,000,000 per annum to be provided for this purpose. ... ......:, „ .. ..'.......-.. „. .... 13. Maintaining the approved principle of free, secular, and compulsory educa. tion, with full opportunity for our young people to take advantage of a thorough educational system, which must provide the best available technical, vocational, domestic, and hygienic training facilities and equipment. The existing methods to be co-ordinated and simplified, and encouragement to be augmented by an increase of bursaries, especially in subjects of practical importance. More encouragement to be given to talented young men and women to induce them'to enter the teaching profession. jl*' Every PoSsible assistance by the State to maternity patients, such assistance to include expert treatment in the maternity hospitals and nursing homes, and the services of trained nurses for mothers who cannot- attend maternity institutions, with special instruction in the proper treatment and care of infants by methods such as those successfully adopted by the Plunket Society, and an extension of the system of District Nurses for Back-block Districts. , ■ 15. In order to encourage thrift, industry, energy, and enterprise a consistent observance of the principle that every section of the community should receive its fair share of the community's earnings in proportion to the value of its services. 16. No reversion to political control of the Public Service, and more frequent regrading to bring wages and salaries of Government servants into line with the increased cost of living. 17. Extension of the principle of exempting from income tax ihe heads of nouseholds in proportion to the number of children in each family. 18. Amending the system of military training to provide that it shall not interfer* unnecessarily with the industrial operations of the country. 19. An arrangement, with Great Britain and other British countries concerned tot the proper naval protection of the Pacific. 20. The provision of such legislation as may be necessary to make impossible the operations of trusts and combines, either foreign or local, or any form of profiteering intended for the exploitation of either consumers or producers. _ 21. A vigorous immigration policy, with substantial encouragement and assistance to citizens of the United Kingdom who desire to emigrate to New Zealand and mak»their home here. 22. The small freehold policy to be maintained, with sufficient safeguards against aggregation. 23. In the case of old-age pensions the bonus to be added to present rate, and thisamount to be made statutory and permanent. , 24. A roading scheme to bq brought into operation by ■'which within a reasonable period good roads will be provided in every part ;of the Dominion. • 25. The telephone system to be extended and made specially available for settlers in the out-districts. 26. Re-afforestation and the planting of sand-dunes with suitable timber trees so at to provide for the future requirements of this country. 27. Practical State encouragement of town-planning schemes by civic and munidcipal bodies or organisations. , 28. The consistent encouragement by educational and other means of practical patriotism, love of country, appreciation of British citizenship, pride in Britain's record in peace and war, determination to make New Zealand a model British community to keep it progressive and prosperous, enlightened and self-reliant, self-respecting, industrious, and independent, and always ready to do its duty in maintaining the principles of British nationhood. or* THE COAL MINES. "There are many other subjects that might be mentioned. For instance, the proposed nationalisation of coal mines. Let me say that on this question I have a perfectly qjmu mind, but I have never yet had a clear explanation of what nationalisation of the coal industry _ear», even ffom its most - enthusiastic advocates. AVhat lam thinking of is this: There are vast coal-bearing areas in this eountrjr, and it is quite certain that in years to come there will be many' times -the number of mines'there are at present. Is the Government to take over all this coal-bearing country and create a great State monopoly? If so, I have no hesitation in saying private enterprise will be crippled, and the last state of things will be worse than the first. , From the miners'' point of view, under private ownership there are many mines willing to compete for the services of good men. Under State ownership there would bo no competition, but great possibilities for intrigue and favouritism. That the present state of things is hot satisfactory goes without saying, but I bel'ievo improvement should go in the direction of providing better housing for the miners, better living conditions, and of giving th» miners some consultative voice in the control .of 'the mines, especially where safety and comfort in working are concerned. UNDER WHICH FLAG !./' "Then with regard to party matters, there seems to be a section of people both-ia Parliament and outsidg of it who are anxious to get back to the old demoralising party system, witn all its iniquities and drawbacks. I know perfectly well no Government can carry on without the support of a majority of Parliament. I know, also, that except under abnormal conditions such as were experienced during the war period there cannot, with satisfactory results, be. two parties in the Government There need not ba anything of the sort. There should be only one party, a National Party—and lam not suggesting a name—a party working and held together with one object—that of promoting the welfare and prosperity of New Zealand. I know perfectly well that the Bolshevists and I.W.W.'s, and others of that ilk, will fight me and those associated with m*. , v _lcy-?Te worth-' IDO NOT WANT the support of such people, and would not hold office if I were dependent upon. them. But, speaking for those who, as well nrFS- »!-m y° '°yail >" an<l faithfully worked with me during seven strenuous years, I "ANT the support of patriotic and right-thinking citizens, whether their incomes are ten shillings a day or ten thousand pounds.per annum, and lam quite satisfied to leave our political fortunes in their hands." . ; VOTE FOR REFO 11 M-= SECURITY AND PROGRESS.