NATIONAL PARTY

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1946, Page 6

NATIONAL PARTY

OPPOSED TO BRETTON WOODS AGREEMENT SEVERAL POLICY POINTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 31. .After three days spent mainly in discussing policy questions, the National Party caucus concluded this afternoon. In an official statement dealing with the caucus, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland) said that it had been one of the most important held by the party. Discussions had covered a wide field, and while the full policy would not be released until the election campaign was launched, the party considered the time now opportune to declare its position on several questions of outstanding importance. The Bretton Woods Agreement had been among the subjects discussed, and because of its effects upon the monetary policy and trade of New Zealand the subject had been considered from every angle. No opportunity had been provided by the Government for .a discussion by Parliament last session, but a substantian majority of the caucus decided to oppose ratification if the matter should come before Parliament. Some members, however, in conformity with their own judgment and consciences, had expressed their intention of supporting ratification of the agreement. Hospital Rating.

The caucus had given careful consideration to the burning question of hospital rating and had reaffirmed its earlier decision to revert to the rate of hospital taxation obtaining before the introduction of social security, the subsequent increase in costs attributable to social security to be spread over the whole community. The caucus also undertook at a later stage to remove the burden of hospital rating from the land altogether. There was strong criticism of the failure of the Government to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government, this committee having agreed to a reduction of the rate to about the level existing before the introduction of social security, whereas the Government, instead of giving some assurance to local bodies regarding its intentions, had compelled them to strike levies which perpetuated the injustices which the ratepayers complained of and which the committee unanimously agreed should be corrected.

The release of service personnel had also, been discussed. It was the view of the caucus, said Mr. Holland, that this was inseparably bound up with production shortages, as a fur<ther release of personnel now held in the services would assist materially to strengthen many industries in which manpower was short. Many men still in the armed forces were eager to resume their civilian jobs, but there had been evidence lately that men were being held unnecessarily. A long range defence policy was considered essential, so that it would be no longer necessary to hold men for peace-time service who had been compulsorily enrolled for wartime service. Not only would the release of such men assist production, but it would allow young men to resume their interrupted careers. 5 Meals for School Children. In discussions of New Zealand’s national health, said Mr. Holland, there was general agreement on the importance of laying a sound foundation of physical health among young children. To that end the party would include in its election policy the institution of a proper service of wellbalanced midday meals for children attending the schools of the Dominion.

Meals of a high vitamin content, including hot meals for the winter months, were essential. The necessary facilities should be provided as early as possible. The caucus also adopted in its scheme for juvenile health, the provision of drying-rooms in the schools. Mr. Holland said that it had been pointed out that these were considered indispensable at military camps, and therefore it was equally important to havdthem.in the schools.

Valuable Speed Race George Robson, of Los Angeles, aged 36, driving a six-cylinder Thorn engineering special, won the 500mile car race at Indianapolis motor speedway. The time was’26l min. 16 secs., averaging 114.82 miles an hour. Robson, who had never previously won a major race, defeated Jimmy Jackson, veteran dirt track driver, by less than one minute. The first prize was 20,000 dollars, plus 13,800 dollars lap prize money. 7