The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the. West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1938. NATIONAL POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1938, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the. West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1938. NATIONAL POLICY.

The policy of the National Party lias been made public by the Leader, Hon. A. in advance of his broadcast. In breaking away from precedent, lie has stolen a march on the Prime Minister, who is to deliver the Labour Party’s policy over the air tonight. The National policy is fashioned in relation to the past policy of the Labour Party, and is generally a negation of the past three years’ work, so far as the main legislation is concerned. The coming election definitely places the National Security ana Health Scheme, in the ha rids of the electors to decide its implication. The defeat of the Government would mean a recasting of the scheme on lines more in keeping with ,the "finance believed to be available. As this is the leading plank in the Labour policy it will be seen there is a very definite issue. But in other respects also, the people in casting their votes will determine important legislative procedure. For instance, the Nationals (as was mentioned before) propose to'abolish compulsory unionism, but wages and hours are to be left to the Arbitration Court. A new feature is tp be provided for family allowances, as, part of the scheme of security, but pensions ns hitherto in force are not to be altered. For the farmers there is a definite problem to study. The ousting of the Government will return to the producers the ownership and control of /their products by a compensative price. In regard to taxation, it is proposed to assist by abolishing the gold tax, and reducing the petrol tax and radio fees, while women will be exempt from unemployment tax. The major taxes must of necessity remain for the change of government would still mean a large general expenditure, for <bo many services and outgoings to be maintained. Private enterprise is to he restored to an assured place, r,nd the housing question will be dealt with on freehold ownership lines. The policy shows a- general waking up to the wider vision which the Labour policy in various aspects has created. The National Party will be more liberal in its aims, and that quality might/ be expressed with a capital letter, indicating the dear swing to that political lino of thought. In that regard it will stir up much dormant, political opinion which recalls the record of , .the Liberals of the past, and the advance's made in that era in social and general legislation. Names convey a good deal, and it is not surprising in the home of politics, the leading parties retain their old labels. The sojourn in the political wilderness lias given time for useful thought and heart searching, while the lead given by the Labour Government in getting things (lone, has' shown the possibilities of advanced administration under bolder leadership. The Nationals do hot make the State everything, but father the individual, and as a first declaration Mr Hamilton .pronounces against State socialism, as the prime move to re-create a more progressive Dominion. The electors have a clearcut issue as well as the advantage of judging the parties by their performances.