N.Z. LEGION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1934, Page 10

N.Z. LEGION

THE PROGRAMME

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

GOVERNMENT REFORM

The substitution of a few shires in place of hundreds of existing local bodies, with a corresponding reduction in the size of Parliament, arid in addition a permanent council, representing business, trades, and agriculture, to guide Parliament on economic matters, arc among important changes for tho complete rehabilitation of tho Dominion's life, advocated in the programme now announced by the national executive of the New Zealand Legion.

The land question, currency, and banking, settlement of the overseas debt, and the organisation of a planned immigration scheme to bring the population to three millions within fifteen years, are all included. A complete reorganisation of the Dominion is envisaged, with a view to the present waste, overlapping, and inefficiency being completely eliminated, and tho foundations laid for a return ,to increased prosperity. It is claimed that only by tackling the problems of the burden of tho overseas debt, currency, and inadequate population can unemployment be completely abolished and the unemployed reabsorbed at full wages. THE PIVOTAL QUESTION. The Legion executive says that the work of the past year has "reached the point where these general principles can be enunciated. It is believed that a largo measure of unity can be achieved for these principles, which are all interlocked, 'the validity of one depending on the whole.

"None of the principles taken separately . are new," states an official report, '' and some are already advocated by various parties on their own merits. Tho • .merit of the Legion's programme is in the coordination of these factors, and it is evident that the reform of Government is the pivotal question. For example, certain organisations say that if the land question or the currency question were settled, administrative problems would settle themselves. We do not believe that is so. Political and economic questions are closely linked and act and re-act on each other.

"Currency, for example, should certainly be under the control of the State, but not under the control of a State based on tho party system. Similarly, under present conditions, 'economic planning' simply becomes Government interference in business (or a spasmodic 'commission'), and is naturally objected to. '

CANDIDATES' QUALIFICATIONS,

"Hence the reform of the machinery of government" must remain tho cardinal point of tho Legion.' The qualifications required by candidates for Parliament or local bodies arc:—

"(1) Fearless advocacy of a change in the system of government along the principles laid down, and a realisation of the pivotal nature of such changes in economic matters. . .

" (2) Ability and mental integrity and judgment, together with a progressive, outlook, and ability to face all questions on their merits, without traditional, political, or class bias.

"(3) A belief that there is a national, as distinct from a class, point of view. "The Legion is--.not a pai-ty; it is a political movement .that aims to make provision for all parts .of our nation. Whether it does so or not will he for the public to judge. But in the absence of a unity government on a nonparty basis, selected', from all sides of the House, and the possibility of nn election being carried out on party lines,, it will be the duty of the Legion to organise the electorates so that it ran take such action as circumstances direct in order to secure adequate consideration of, and implement action on, its proposals. SEVEN POINTS. f : '

The Legion's programme is announced as follows:—

1. Government Reform.

(a) The setting up of a limited number of "shires" whose creation would reduce the present number of local bodies by some hundreds, and would relieve the Central Government of many of its present functions, which can be better exercised under local control.

(b) The reduction of both Houses of Parliament,' particularly the reduction of the Lower House, to such a size as would enable it to become a truly deliberative body.

(c) The creation of an elective executive, directly responsible to Parliament—much more directly than is Cabinet under' the present forms. (d) The adoption, as an immediate measure, of preferential voting in the present electorate's. . v In brief, democratic control (now only a theory) would become a fact, "party government" as we know it today would disappear, ancl it would become possible to administer the affairs of the Dominion as a whole and of each component part on practical lines. 2. Economic Council. An economic council to be set up as a permanent institution to be developed through the various existing organisations representing all sections and interests of the community. The function of this economic council is to guide Parliament both in an initiatory and a consultative capacity on all economic.questions, especially those relating to production and consumption, so«that these may be co-ordinated in the common interest. This body to replace the numerous special commissions now set up for such purposes. 3. National Debt. (a) No more overseas borrowing. (b) Negotiations with the British Government to convert, on as favourable terms as possible, all outstanding debt domiciled iii Britain owed by the New Zealand Government and local bodies,. to a British Government loan, all charges on such loan to be serviced by the New Zealand Government to the British Government direct, with a view to subsequent financial ararngements under (4). . ■

(c) A conversion of all overseas commitments of local bodies to a New Zealand Government loan, all expenses of the Government in servicing such loan to bo reimbursed by the local bodies concerned, so that no part of the cost of service will fall on the general taxpayer 4. Immigration. The organisation of a planned immigration scheme by agreement, with Great Britain to achieve (a) a better balanced community and economic organisation; (b) more complete use of the country's existing assets, and a corresponding increase of its wealth and consuming power; (c) as a defence measure. The agreement for such immigration scheme to allow of an adequate period (say two years) preparation with immediate financial consideration to enable taxation, to bo reduced and the present unemployed absorbed, and the arrnugements made in regard to suitable groups of immigrants through a combined committee of Nqw Zealand and British representatives.

. (The proposals are substantially those of the Debt Release and Immigration

Plan formulated by Dr.' Campbell Begg. It should be emphasised that this plan neither suggests default nor asks for any concession except for valuo received.) 5. Currency and Banking. To be under a system of control responsible to tho State. This is to be taken in conjunction with tho non-party Government proposals and the Economic Council. 6. Land. While no definite proposals are put forward at this stage tho Legion is alive to the evil of the present land system and to tho fact that there must be, especially in connection with immigration, a long-term policy for tho maximum development, settlement, and availability of land, and a system of control to prevent speculation in community created values. 7. Unemployment. A successful agreement with Britain under (3) and (4) would result in such an availability of funds, with reduction in taxation, and the ability to start new industries and develop established ones, that it would result in the solution of the unemployed problem and the re-employment of men at their own trades on full wages. The necessity for full and adequate "'ages both in industry and agriculture is imperative, not only on general social grounds, but also to increase consuming power. (a) Reproductive and well-planned national public works at full wages. These would be necessary and justified in expectation of increased population. (b) A closer liaison between those willing to give employment at adequate .wages and unemployed men, through a better system of employment bureaux, Government and voluntary, so that all circumstances being taken into 'consideration, there shall bo no excuse for the refusal of offers of work.

(c) Adequate sustenance for those for whom there is no such work available. Provision made for vocational training to bo available to prepare men who have been a long time unemployed or young men who have never been employed for absorption or reabsorption into industry and agriculture. (d) An economic council or a body on similar lines to bo sot up immediately to co-ordinate, tho knowledge and the data the result of research, work already available, and secure fresh data for the establishment of new industries.