Plans To Combat Reds Discussed By Nationalists

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22946, 14 May 1949, Page 6

Plans To Combat Reds Discussed By Nationalists

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 14. The early construction of the Rongotai airport and the establishment of a modern air service between Australia and the South Island of New Zealand are two developments that are to be implemented by the National Party if it becomes the Government at the general election this year. These decisions of the caucus of members of the Parliamentary National Party held yesterday were announced last night by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. ,S. G. Holland. He added that an airport of international standard would be established at Harewood. The service between Australia and the South Island would be in addition to the existing air services between Australia and Auckland.

Reviewing the work of the caucus, Mr. Holland said it was essentially a working caucus for consideration of reports and interim reports from committees previously set up to investigate special questions. Several members reported on their speaking and factory-inspection tours. Plans were made for further tours before the opening of the session of Parliament.

Draft proposals on future housing policy, both rental and purchase, were presented by the party’s housing committee. An interim report was also submitted on a type of prefabricated house specially suitable for rural areas. The primary-production committee reported on plans to increase production in town and country and for bringing large areas of waste land, including Maori land at present unoccupied into production. The party was determined to place in the very forefront of the election campaign the fight against the twin evils of communism and solialism. Communism would be declared a subversive activity and Communists would be debarred from holding office in industrial unions or Government posts.

The party would resist any further encroachment on the legitimate preserves of private traders and to restore harmony in industry.

.It had been decided to introduce an effective and independently-supervised secret ballot in elections for union officials and on strike issues. Mr. Holland said that the causcus health committee presented a report on hospital administration. The caucus resolved to resist any further centralisation of hospital services, or any reduction in local control of hospital administration. The committee also reported on the urgent need of a thorough overhaul of the Health Department with a view to vastly improving its service to the. public. The committee was instructed to continue its inquiries and report to the next caucus. The finance committee reported on the “failure of the last £29.000,000 conversion loan” and steps required to be taken to recover the confidence of the investing public. , , Mr W. Sullivan. M.P., Bay of Plenty, and Mr. J. A. McL. Roy. M.P., Clutha, reported on their recent tour of Britain, Germany and India and an interim report was received from Mr. T. C. Webb, M.P. Rodney, who is at present in Ottawa for the meeting of the council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. . .... Mr. Holland reported on lus visit to The caucus carried a motion of sympathy with Mrs. G. H. Ross. M.P., Hamilton, in the death of her mother.