National Party’s Progressive Policy

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 111, 21 September 1938, Page 5

National Party’s Progressive Policy

RESTORATION OF FREEDOM

NO REDUCTIONS IN WAGES

NEW SUPERANNUATION SCHEME

LOANS FOR HOUSES AND FURNITURE

* NO COMMANDEER OF DAIRY PRODUCE

A progressive policy containing the following main planks, was issued

yesterday by the Leaden of the National Party, the Hon. Adam Hamilton:

Restoration of. personal freedom and the legitimate rights of private enterprise.

Financial assistance for the purchase of homes, including houses at present rented from the State; a housing scheme for farm workers; and the provision of loans for young married couples for the purchase of furniture.

Establishment of a Ministry of Social Welfare, with planned provision for all social services.

No cuts in wages, pensions or civil servants’ salaries and no mandatory increase in working hours.

The Arbitration Court and preference to unionists to he retained. Compulsory unionism to be abolished.

Provision of pensions for widows and orphans and the institution of a free maternity service.

Liberalised family allowances; completion of Public Works; restoration to the farmer of the ownership and control over his own produce; increased land settlement with an assured right of tenure; assistance for the manufacturer; abolition of unemployment tax on women; gold tax to he abolished; petrol tax and radio license fees to he reduced.

DAIRY PRODUCE

5000 HOUSES A YEAR

* COMMANDEER TO END Commitments to be honoured ' MINIMUM PRICE GUARANTEE * A promise to end the commandeer of all dairy produce, and the institution r of a guaranteed minimum price, are I promises made in the National Party’s manifesto. A further promise is made to honour all commitments made by the Labour Government as to the current season’s prices under the guaranteed price scheme, ft “Primary production is the foundation industry of New Zealand, and is entitled to a standard of reward com--1 parable with other industries,” the manifesto says. “As the farmer labours under an economic disadvantage in .that he has to accept world market prices for his produce, but has to meet internal costs, we will give effect to .such measures as will ensure that farmers are able to pay competitive .rates of wages, are assured of reasonable interest on capital value in farms and stock, are enabled to meet increased costs imposed by legislation—in--1 eluding tariffs —and are ensured a re'muneration commensurate with the service they render, comparable with 'that obtained by other members of the community who render equal service. Compensating Price Principle t “This will be accomplished by a lowering of costs, or by a compensating payment for farm produce, or a combination of both. “We will consult the dairy industry on matters relating to marketing and finance, and will assist by providing a guaranteed minimum price. Internal prices and farming costs will both receive close attention.” A vigorous land settlement policy is to be pursued, first by making available for settlement any suitable areas >of Grown lands, and, secondly, by a tpolicy of subdivision of such areas as are suitable for this purpose, the maniifesto continues. Settlers will obtain their holdings at reasonable and economic values and on table mortgage. Choice of Land Tenure Financial assistance will be provided and costs adjusted in order to encourage voluntary subdivision; to provide farms for suitable applicants such as farmers’ sons, rural workers, share milky's and others with small amounts of capital; to assist in building homes and developing and stocking the holdings; and to arrange small holdings for such seasonal workers as dairy factory, freezing works, and farm workers and miners. Group settlement will be undertaken f > assimilate less experienced men under the control of a group managpr. The value of tlj<• farms, when developed, will tie based on productive values. Choice of Land Tenure “In order to provide amenities for married workers, in districts where such labour can tie utilised —particularly in tiic vicinity of villages—facilities will he given for Lhe erection of bonvenienl, and suitable homes upon "small farms of convenient size,” adds fbe manifesto. “Land tenure will be in all cases at the option of the settler, and allweather roads will be provided. A vigorous policy of treeplanting will be Encouraged and assisted.”

ONE CONTROL

RADIO LICENSES 15/-

REDI’CTEON IN PETROL TAX

THOSE OUT OF WORK

RELIEF TO BE MAINTAINED

SECURITY PLAN

BONUS FOR BABIES LOANS FOR FURNITURE In the belief that the question of race preservation is something transcending the mere mechanics of politics, and stating tiiat it is prepared to base its whole policy on the strengthening of family life, the National Party in its manifesto declares its intention of fostering home ownership by loans on liberal terms and of aiding young couples to marry and raise children. Furniture loans to be cancelled as children are horn and the construction of 5000 houses a year are planned. The party's proposal for furniture loans .for young couples is that £IOO will be advanced at the lowest possible interest fate. When the first child is horn £2O of the loan will be cancelled, on the birth of the second child a further £3O, and the remaining £SO will he cancelled when (lie third child is horn.

BROADCASTING SERVICES DIVIDED AUTHORITY “The existing dual control of radio broadcasting services, with divided authority, duplicated equipment and staffs will be ended.” states the National Party manifesto. “The services will he placed under one authority and commercial broadcasting will he put on a sound business footing. Parliamentary broadcasts will he continued. hut a stop will he made to abuse of the radio for political propaganda.”

NEW PROPOSALS

NO INCREASE IN TAX

UNEMPLOYMENT EXEMPTIONS The National Party will, wherever possible, reduce the taxation burden of tiie people, states the party manifesto, issued yesterday. The petrol tax will he reduced by at least one penny a gallon. Exemption from unemploymenttaxation will he given to the wages and salaries of all women, “other income” of women provided it does not exceed £250 a year, pensioners, relief workers and sustenance men, perij.is under 20 years of age, and domestic workers. Radio licence fees will he reduced from 25s fo 15s a year.

Health Scheme

“I'll l ' solution of the unemployment problem lies in the ability of our industries, both primary and manufacturing, fo absorb the workless population hack into productive employment, and our administration as a Governmenl will be based on that fundamental Inilli.” says I lie National party’s manifesto. “Private enterprise must he encouraged and assisted to find increased employment. Until such time as our unemployed can he absorbed back into industry, we will continue unemployment relief as at. present. All money expended on relief works should be productive of useful public assets.”

UNIVERSAL SUPERANNUATION The Social Security Act passed by the Labour Government will not he operated on the National party becoming the Government, hut provision will be made for all pensions in existence prior to the passing of the Act, states tile party’s manifesto. In addition to existing pensions, provision will he made for:— A universal superannuation scheme. A complete health service for those who cannot pay. Pensions for widows. Pensions for orphans. Free maternity service. Liberalised family allowances. The effect of this will he: —(a) No increase in wage tax, (b) women will not he required to register, (c) 16-year-olds will not have to register or pay wage tax, (d) domestics will be exempt from w : age tax, and (e) women having income other than wages not exceeding £250 a year to he exempt from unemployment tax.

“The National party will provide a full and complete health service without charge to that section of the community that is unable to provide such service for itself,” the manifesto continues. “These people will inculde the aged, the poor, those in necessitous circumstances, and those whose incomes make it impossible to provide a medical service out of their own resources.

“We believe that it is much more important to provide a complete medical service for those who need it and must have it. hut cannot afford it, than it is to provide a partial service for all the people, many of whom do not require it and do not want it. Protection and Co-operation

. “We acknowledge the splendid services being rendered by the friendly societies of New Zealand, and will protect them and co-operate with them in their work.

“We will inaugurate a well-planned scheme to greatly increase the physical fitness of the people, in the confident belief that much of the sickness suffered today is preventable by more healthy living. We will set up a coinpeient advisory body to study the problems and inform the Government on such matters as the nutrition of the people and the lies! means of attacking the needlessly high incidence of common and preventable disorders suffered by the people. No Means Test “The National party strongly supports the principle of national superannuation, hut, holds that the funds should be administered as a separate trust entirely independent of ordinary Government finances. The scheme should be financed by direct contributions from income, entitling every person to the benefits under the scheme on reaching the stipulated age, and without any other income or property means test whatever.

“Those persons, including State employees, and others in private superannuation schemes, who have made provision for their own security in old age—provision at least as adequate as provided in the State scheme —shall he exempt from any compulsion to subscribe to the State scheme, blit they will he entitled to the benefits of the scheme if they subscribe voluntarily.”