A LABOR PROGRAMME.

Evening Star, Issue 11683, 15 February 1902, Page 3

A LABOR PROGRAMME.

The Labor party in Australia are extending their operations to municipal politics, and there are indications of this policy being adopted in the Home Country and tie colonies. Quite recently a conference of the Political Labor League took place in Sydney, when a municipal platform* was adopted, the principal planks of which will he of interest to ratepayers generally, who have to find tie funds to maintain the system of local government. In regard to the constitution of city and borough councils, the provisions of the New Zealand Municipal Corporations Act, are in the main accepted, the franchise being extended to all adults, and a danse added to the effect that mayors and councillors are to be paid, provided that such payment is approved by a plebiscite vote of the burgesses. Municipalities jointly or severally are to be empowered to own and directly conduct any industry whidi it is declared desirable by a plebiscite should he so owned and conducted ; all works undertaken by municipalities to be executed by the councils without the intervention of contractors, and trade union wages to be paid. In regard to finance., it was resolved that all rates be levied on the unimproved value of land, and that a fine of 10 per cent, be added to and become part of any overdue or outstanding ratjes. Power is to be given to councils to acquire the title to and to lease, j

but not to seU, any lauds on which rates are overdue and unpaid for a period of five years. If after a certain period the owner returns he is to have the riglfcfc to recover possession on payment of all arrears, with interest added. The subvention of State funds to local revenues by means cf endowments or, subsidies or otherwise, other than the payment on Crown lands, of a sum not exceeding the local rate on the value of the privately-owned lands of the municipality is to absolute!}" cease. No new subdivision of land within ■ a .borough is to be made with less than 25ft frontage, and no more than one residence is to be permitted on such allotment. Vendors of borough property are to make streets and footpaths, and submit proposed subdivisions for approval of the council; and all plans for the erection, addition, and alteration of buildings are to be submitted for approval. Local, sanitary, food and liquor inspectors are to be paid by the council, but appointed and removable by tlie Government, the object apparently being to place all the,-* appointments within the scope of Minisleri.il patronage.