LABOUR FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 172, 7 July 1919, Page 5

LABOUR FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

LAND POLICY. Wellington, July 7. Labour’s land poiicy was discussed at the conference of the N.Z. Labour Party on Saturday. The president (Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C.), submitted the following elaboration of platform, which was adopted unanimously: 1. The conservation of national endowments ; 2. Recognition of the interests of the whole community in land by (a) a land tenure based on occupancy and use which shall secure to the jrorking farmer the full fruits of his labour and exertions; (b) the securing to the community of all values created by the community ; (c) elimination of exploitation (1) of the working farmer by the institution of a State Bank; (2) of the community by securing for it rent of land now absorbed principally by money lending institutions ; (d) tenants’ absolute right to improvements; (2) improved road access in rural districts by an increased graduated land tax on large estates. 3. (a) State valuation of all privatelyowned land, such valuation to remain on record as a measure of the present land-holder’s interest in the land; (b) land shall not be transferred or sold except to or from the State; (c) owner shall have the right to surrender his land on valuation set out in sub-clause.

4. (a) Immediate discontinuance of the present wasteful method of destroying valuable timbers and placing settlers on unroaded land ; (b) all virgin land to be prepared for occupation by the State before settlement; (c) the State to undertake all developmental work, and where advisable the land so developed shall form the nucleus ot State farms.

The president stressed the party’s sympathy with the small struggling farmer and said the party was out to do everything it could to protect him and to give him the full fruits of his labour.’ The question w*as asked as to whether the proposals referred to city lands as well as country lands, and the answer was in the affirmative.