A NEW PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 10

A NEW PARTY

THE DEMOCRATS

TO FIGHT THE ELECTION

POLICY POINTS STATED

MR. DAVY ORGANISER

Under the title of the Democrat Party, a new political organisation with headquarters in Wellington, a stated policy, and a promise to go to the polls in full strength, is in process of formation throughout New Zealand, according to an announcement made today. The names of the leader and those of the selected candidates will he indicated at a future date. Assisting with the establishment and general organisation of the new party is Mr. A. E. Davy, who has resigned his position as a Reform organiser to undertake the work.

Some of the more important points which will bo the objective of the 'Democrat Party were outlined by Mr. Davy in an interview today. The general policy, details of which would be expanded in duo course, would be to get back to sane administration with a fall recognition of tho rights of the individual and to reduce the administra-tive-overhead of tho Dominion, which vas far too high in comparison with national production. The Democrat Party was no nebulous movement having as its object high-flown ana impractical ideals. It was iuppjyt&d by peoples who were determined that, tho future Government of Now Zealand vould be sound, sane, anil businesslike: and it would give to the country a political lead that had been so urgently desired by all classes. In particular, the new party would incorporate in its policy such proposals as the following:— The encouragement of private enterprise and initiative and the abolition of State Socialism and undue interference: State trading concerns to be reduced as far as possible, to be required to pay taxes, and generally to bo placed on the same footing as private enterprise; a review of the present system of regulations and restrictions with the object of simplifying and reducing them to a bare minimum of necessity; the abolition of tho present system of Government by Order in Council and by departmental officials; the placing of the purchase of State stores on a footing whereby all persons would have an equal opportunity to compete for all business on a fair and equitable basis. REDUCTION OF EXCHANGE BATE, Probably the most important points concerning the people were those dealt with under the following headings:— Gradual reduction of tho exchange rate to parity with sterling, and guaranteed minimum export prices tor primary products. This, it is claimed, could be accomplished comparatively simply without vast taxation increases, as would be explained in full detail later. . Further important points included tne following:—Acceleration of loans to farmers at reduced rates, of interest and on more liberal margins; reduction in tariffs on goods from the United Kingdom to encourage reciprocal trade; the obtaining of trade agreements with the United Kingdom and retaining free markets there for all New. Zealand primary produce; a definite organised development of alternative or new markets where possible; the attachment of a New Zealand Trade Commissioner to the High Commissioner's Office in London; abolition of the duties on wheat and other grains, thereby reducing the tost of bread and enouraging the production of poultry and pigs; encouragement of the investment of British capital in national development works; exploration of avenues with a view to the derating, as far as possible, of farm lands; review of the transport law and regulations for drastic modification; overhaul and reorganisation of unemployment administration; placing of the Tourist Department under commercial management and launching a vigorous policy in that direction; reduction in the size of the Legislative Council to twenty members and placing the Upper House on an elective basis; prohibition of members of the Legislative Council being appointed to Cabinet; and institution of drastic changes in the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives to ensure greater efficiency and economy. ME. DAVY'S POSITION. Mr. Davy explained the reasons for his resignation as a' Eeform organiser. '.'Briefly," he said, "they are attributable to the fact that the Eeform Party, as it was conceived by Mr. Massey, no longer exists. The Kef orm Party and organisation today are a very frail shadow, and it is perfectly obvious that even these will disappear in some sort of a fusion hotch-potch. The-present Government parties will go to the next polls as a Coalition. To those stalwarts who aro struggling hopelessly in a vain endeavour to resuscitate the old Eeform ideals and objects, I extend my sincere and sympathetic admiration. It becomes increasingly more apparent that the purely political aspirations and personal political viewpoints of the few have successfully undermined the structure of party and organisation until they exist in name only. I have no quarrel in a personal way with anyone, but it is impossible for me to reconcile my views with those of the triumvirate at present dictating the Government policy. I have always been opposed to State Socialism and undue interference with the rights of private enterpriseand the individual and the present tendency, together with other points of policy, have left mo no option but to resign. . UNEASY AS 'TO PUTUKE. "No doubt many people have noted this tendency as exemplified i-i speeches in the House, official statements, reports such as that of tho Monetary Committee, and the general trend of Government policy. This has been so marked of late that I am extremely uneasy as to tho future and can view development of this policy only with the utmost alarm. If the present condition of affairs continues, I am afraid New Zealand will witness a radical change in its political structure, in a period of absolute State control and interference, together with a vast extension of the State's ramifications in all spheres of enterprise. The Labour Party is Socialistic in policy, the present Government socialistic by inclination, action, and fact. The term 'present Government' refers, of course, to those few who dictate Government policy, mostly without reference to party, organisation, or Parliament." ACTIVE ORGANISATION.. Intimating that he had accepted an invitation to assist in the establishment and general organisation of the Democrat Party, Mr. Davy predicted that the new organisation would in Ihe near future be a definite and active force. Headquarters of the organisation were in Wellington, ana the opening of branch offices in Auckland, Dunedin, and Christehurch was under way. Organisers for the areas had been appointed, and tho work of organising

and tho selection of candidates would start shortly. Tho Democrat Party would be charged with vote-splitting, but that was a stale political bogy that could carry no weight. The real issue lay between safety and Socialism, whether the latter bo of tho openlyavowed Labour type or tho stealthilyasserted Coalition brand, which, possibly was the more dangerous, because it was sailing under false colours. Thousands of Now Zealanders had been driven to the last stages of desperation by the rank Socialism and interference of the Government and the oppressive and despotic control of the departmental regime. It was inevitable, that the people should seek a sound and safe alternative, and that tho Democrat Party would provide. It would definitely go to tho polls in full strength, which was a polite hint to those who would undoubtedly attempt to undermine and sabotage tho movement. With a party aiming at sound common sense government, with an equally sound and common sense policy, leader, and candidates, tho people of New Zealand could look forward to the future with confidence. Mr Davy added that rumours had been in circulation coupling the names of himself and the members of tho new organisation with that of Mr. J. W S. McArthur. Neither he nor any members of the organisation, directly or indirectly, politically, socially, or financially, had anything to do with Mr. McArthur, nor had they any connection with any of the companies which were at present the subject of examination. Mr. Davy stated that if the fabrications were persisted in, he and members of the organisation would take legal action to protect themselves.