LABOUR'S POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 14

LABOUR'S POLICY

COUNCIL, HOSPITAL, HARBOUR BOARD

The policy on which the Wellington Labour Representation Committee is contesting the municipal elections is announced as follows: — CITY COUNCIL. Administrative. —(1) A business-like control of the affairs of the city. No proceedings of council to bo held in camera, except, where necessary to safeguard the interests of citizens. (2) A thorough overhaul of all departments with the object, of eliminating useless expenditure through overlapping and dual control. (3) In making appointments to administrative and other positions, preference to be given to NewZealand citizens.

Finance. —Careful scrutiny a.nd administration of finance aud restriction of borrowing policy as far as possible. Tramways. —(1) Restriction in. use by council of vehicles using petrol as motive power, -with the object of extending the use of electrical energy. (2) (a) A fnll examination into the transport facilities of the city, with the object of improving, where possible, the existing system, and (b) the elimination of the useless competition between council-owned buses and trams. Works.-—(1) As far as possible an equality of works expenditure in various districts. (2) The undertaking and completion of works on an equitable basis. (3) Full use to be made o:C present productive plants owned by. the council, in order to prevent useless expenditure. Parks and Reserves.—Conservation and protection of the rights of citizens, in all public, properties as represented by Town Belt, parks, beaches, and other reserves. . Working Conditions.—(l) A more just and equitable classification of all municipal employees. (2) Recognised standard wages for all employees. (3) Iho institution of an. appeal board covering all. phases of municipal employment. (4) Withdrawal of council from Employers'Federation. Health.—(l) A thorough clean-up of the city and of the City Corporation property. (2) Scientific, up-to-dato methods for the profitable utilisation of refuse, and modern methods of disposal to be inaugurated. (3) The removal of unsightly hoardings. Trading.—(l) Extension o£ operations of the municipal milk department and other trading departments, particularly the electricity department. (2) After making provision as far as possible for capital extensions, all profits inado by the trading departments to bo returned to the citizens by way of reductions in charge. HOSPITAL BOARD. (1) Retention of : present system of hospital finance pending improved national financial and general reorganisation'of health and hospital services ensuring the highest-skilled and most efficient- medical, surgical, and nursing treatment, aud attention, for all patients. Sympathetic consideration of the question of patients' fees, particularly during the existing economic and industrial crisis. (2) The employment of a fully qualified residential medical staff (3) The establishment of a maternity ward. (4) The organisation of a neuropathic annexe. (5) The extension of the dentistry department. (6) Opposition to privato paying wards, which would introduce undesirable distinctions among patients and would bean unsound.financial experiment. (7) I Shorter hours for tho nursing staff. Other Hospital Board employees to receive sucli wages and conditions as apply to workers similarly employed under Arbitration Court awards. Opposition to the proposed reduction of wages of nurses and lower paid employees. (8). Reorganisation of the system of caring for the aged, and the endorsement of tho villa system as against that of the dormitories. Improved dietary scale for inmates of Old People's Home. (9) Overhauling and reorganisation of. system of social welfare relief. Opposition to the policy and. practice of the Government of placing the work of relieving destitution caused by unemployment on the hospital boards, thus turning what is a national into a local responsibility. Affirmation, in this connection, of tho principle of work for the breadwinner, or adequate maintenance for every citizen and family.

HARBOUR BOARD. (1) The handling of all cargo, bunker coal, and oil fuel in the port of Wellui«tou to be undertaken by tho Wellington Harbour Board exclusively. The Harbour Board to have full control of all wharves and wharf berthage in the port. (2) For the purpose of efficiently dealing with the casual labour system on the wharves, a board, consisting of representatives of the Harbour-Board and Waterside- Workers' Union, to be established to ensure that each -worker engaged on tho wharves shall bo üble lo earn a proper minimum living wiigo to maintain himself and family. (3) All undertakings of tho Wellington HiirboDi- Board, whether wharf or shed construction, reclamation, or other work, shall bo performed by the board under tho day-labour system. (4) For tho purpose of more effectively conserving tho rights of the workers employed by the Harbour Board, an Appeal Board, composed of representatives of the board and representatives of the organisations of workers concerned by such employment, to be set up to deal with grievances such as promotions, dismissals," and suspensions, and, any employee may appeal to such board. (5) Tho immediate erection of a properly equipped maritime hall for the accommodation of seamen and waterside workers waiting for employment, all engagements to be made at such hall. (6) An extension of the Harbour Board restaurant for waterside workers and seamen. (7) In the construction of tho reclamation wall along the foreshore of Evans Bay, the bathing facilities now provided for the Evans Bay residents to be conserved. (8) A superannuation scheme to cover all employees, and an increase to be made in the superannuation payments "to widows and children. (9) Tho Harbour Board to 1)0 elected by popular vote.