THE TRADES COUNCIL'S PLATFORM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12970, 11 November 1902, Page 3

THE TRADES COUNCIL'S PLATFORM.

SUBMITTED TO CANDIDATES. SOME OF THE REPLIES. In order to select candidates for the support of th o Labour Party in the Canterbury electorates, the Trades Counoil recently sent copies of its platform to the various candidates, requesting them to state whether they would support it. The platform submitted was as follows : (1) Nationalisation, of land; (2) increase in land and income tax ; (3) abolition of duties on necessaries of life, which cannot be produced in the colony ; (4) county and Road Boards franchise extension; (5) revaluation of Crown land held on lease; (6) preference to Unionists compulsory in all awards ; (7) restriction of trusts and combines ; (8) State Bank; (9) compulsory day of rest in seven; (10) increase old age pension to 10s per week—omake universal; (11) Referendum, with Initiative; (12) technical and higher education, free admission, on educational test to high schools, and no student admitted unless passed! the Sixth Standard (or equivalent) in- primary school; (13) State fire insurance; (14) restriction of Usury Bill; (15) Master and Apprentice Bill; (6) Eight Hour Bill, compulsory Saturday half-holiday; (17) when vacancies occur in Government service, such to to b'e duly advertised, all applicants' to be examined, the names of those passing to be submitted to ballot, the age limit to be abolished; (18) universal set of standards and school book*, to be printed by the State and issued at cost price; (19) nai tionalisation- of oil and mineral wealth; (20) preference to Unionists in State service. The following are the replies received from candidates in the city and suburbs: —■ CHRISTCHURCH. Mr T. E. Taylor:—" In reply to yours of Oct. 25, I can express my settled conviction on many of the matters referred to in your Council's political programme without entering into a detailed argument an support of same. The subjects numbered 3,4, 5, 7,9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18 and' 19 I am in accord with from your point of view. Nds. 1,2, 8, 10 and 131 am in sympathy with on broad, general lines, but the issues are so important that I cannot pretend to settle my attitude towards them by an unqualified assent. I shall deal with them at some length from the platform, The question of masters' and apprentices' relations and the hours of labour are in the hand's of the Arbitration Courts. I favour the compulsory Saturday half-holiday. Do I understand that your Council proposes to deal with the question of apprenticeship and the eight hour question by. Statute? If so, I think the proposal is inopportune. I have very carefully considered' question; No. 6, and am of the opinion that the demand for preference to Unionists is in harmony with the design of the colony's arbitration laws. I would support the proposition, subject to the Unions registering all employees in the branch of industry they represent. I propose dealing in detail with this question when I address the electors." Mr G. J. Smith.—" In reply to yours of Oct. 25, the political platform you enclosed comprises so many important subjects that it is difficult to put my answers to the various planks within the scope of an ordinary letter. I will, however, try to to give you my opinions as concisely as possible:—(l) I am opposed to any further sale of Crown lands. (2) In view of our yearly surplus I am opposed to any increase in taxation. In addition to the surplus we are having remissions in Customs duties, rail charges, etc., and while we can da this there is no necessity to increase the burden of our taxation-. (3) Where the duties on the necessaries of life are such tfliab the remission would be passed on to the consumer, I would support such remission, but where the duty is so small that it would be impossible to pass it on, I think the duty should remain. (4) I would support an extension of the 1 county and Road Boards franchise. (5) I have always- supported re-valuation at expiration of term of lease. (6) The 'Arbitration Court has been given the fullest powers to deal with industrial disputes and fix the wages and conditions of labour. I would leave the question of preference absolutely in the hands of the Court. (7) I am in favour of the restriction of trusts and combines, which are used to increase the cost to the consumer. (8) I Vam in favour of the fullest inquiry being fmade on ' State Banking.' I would not approve of the Government embarking in' mercantile banking with its attendant risks. (9) I am in favour of a compulsory day of rest in seven. (10) I have always advocated the universal pension. I favour an increase to 10s as soon) as financially practicable. (11) Have always approved the' Referendum and Initiative. (12) I strongly favour free admission to high schools on educational test. The Sixth Standard I consider too high, and in-order to provido for the economical working of the high schools I- think—where high schools are in the neighbourhood—-primary school work should finish at the Fourth or Fifth Standards and high school work begin at the point whet© the primary school finishes. (13) The establishment of a State Fire Insurance Department on competitive lines similar to the Government Life Department, would have my support. (14)Will support Restriction of Usury Bill. (15) The question of master and apprentice I would contimie to leave to the Arbitration Court. (16) Have always supported Eight Hours Bill. I would apply the Referendum to the question of the half-holiday, and let the d'ay be fixed by a vote of the people. (17) Some alteration is required in our present system of filling vacancies in the Government service. I favour the appointment of a Civil Service Board, and that appointments should be made on ths merits of the applicant. (18) The number of text-books

for our public schools should be reduced, but I am not in favour of one universal set, as I think it would tend to cramp the teaching of the children- and turn them out on one pattern. (19) lam in favour of the experiment of the .State working our mineral wealth, and, if successful, it could be extended. (20) I think any colonist paying as he does 'his share of .the taxation, has a right to a chance of Government employment, and the State has a right to employ him. Ido not agree- that the State should give preference of employment to one section of the community over another." Mr H. G. Ell.—" In reply to your circular letter of Oct. 25, which reached me on Oct. 27, asking whether I am prepared to support the various planks in the political programme of your Council, the honour to say that most of the planks not only meet with my approval, but I have actively advocated them for years, and I will leave no stone unturned 1 to have effect given the demands for reforms. For convenience I will refer to them by the numbers set opposite to each question.—(l) Yes, I have advocated this for many years. (2) Yes, I have urged this. (3) Yes, I have done my best to have this done. (4)Yes. I am strongly in favour of the one man one vote principle being made to apply to all elections. (5) Yes. The 999 years lease is unfair to the community. (6) Yes. The men whose efforts have brought about better conditions should have preference. If Unionists were not protected, there are many employers who would not have a Unionist in their employ. (7) Yes. The community must be protected against the selfishness of organised capital. (8) Yes. I have been working hardi for years to promote this reform. (9) Yes. (10) Yes. I feel proud 1 of the part I took in agitating for this reform. (11) Yes. I have and will do all I can to bring this about. (12) Yes. I would start by making our High Schools free, and £30,000 will do this. (13) Yes. The people are now making dividends for capitalists out of the country, if the people had their way we should have had this long ago. (14) Yes. (15) Yes. The country would be richer if every lad was well and thoroughly taught. (16) Yes. I strongly favour both these questions. (17) Yes. The present system is both unfair, aind has a demoralising influence. (18) Yes. This is a demand which was made in a political programme published in September, 1890, it is about time that the people had what they have so long asked for. (19) Yes. lam thoroughly opposed to companies having the mineral wealth hamded to them for forty-two years, which they may have as the law stands-, and I fought against this last session: (20) Yes. Andi it would act as a check on political influence. Mr C. Allison.—"ln reply to your circular of the 25th ultimo, I regret that I can only give unqualified support to the objects named in Clauses Nos. 5,7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 19. I cannot agree to land nationalisation without compensation, as some of our present legislators are apparently attempting to bring about. I approve of the land and income tats being increased when necessary for purposes of revenue, but not as a punishment: Ido not think there is much room for further reduction of Customs duties on necessaries of life that cannot be produced in the colony, unless we take away the protection our present tariff affords our local industries. More tihan half the present duties are imposed on luxuries, such as alcohol and tobacco, and a large proportion of the rest on clothing, etc., that if removed would seriously affect our local industries. Your question in regard to Master and Apprentices Bill is not sufficiently explicit. I believe in universal school books, but not necessarily to be printed by the Government, and I think the present system o£ leaving the question of preference to Unionists or otherwise to be settled on the merits of such case by an independent Judge."

Mr W. W. Collins.—" I have ,the honour to acknowledge- receipt of yours of Oct. 25, enclosing the, political platform of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, and beg to reply as follows: —(1) Nationalisation of land': I am. strongly opposed to any further sale of Crown Lands, andl equally in favour of the State acquiring land for the purpose of promoting settlement. (2) Increase of Land and Income Tax: I am of opinion that any increase of taxation which may be necessary should be in this direction only.' (3) Abolition of duties on necessaries of life which cannot be produced in colony: Yes. (4) County and Road Board franchise extension : Yes. (5) Revaluation of Crown lands held on lease: Yes. (6) Preference to Unionists compulsory in all awards: Yes. (7) Restriction of trusts and combines : Yes. (8) State bank: I should support taking over the Bank of New Zealand as a State bank. (9), Compulsory day of rest in seven: Yes. (10) Increase of old age pensions to 'los per week and make universal: I have always advocated a 10s per week pension. I do not see how universal pensions are possible except on a contributing basis. I would support such a proposal. (11) Referendum and initiative : Yes. (12) Technical and higher education, free admission on education test to High Schools, and no student admitted unless passed the Sixth Standard (or equivalent) in primary schools: Yes. (13) State fire insurance: Yes. (14) Restriction of usury: Yes. (15) Master and Apprentices Bill: Yes. (16) (a) Eight Hours Bill, \-. compulsory universal Saturday half-holi-day : (a) Yes, but not to apply to pastoral pursuits; (b) Yes. (17) When vacancies occur in Government service such to be duly advertised, all applicants to be examined, the name of' those passing to be submitted to ballot; the age limit to be abolished: Would like to see appointments to Government service removed from political influence. Am afraid method suggested in 17 would create great hardship for' some of the less fortunate members of the community. You do not state the nature of examination to which applicants' are to submit. (18) Universal set of standards and school books, to be printed by the State and issued at cost price: Yes. (19) Nationalisation of oil and mineral wealth: I am not prepared to prevent private enterprise from developing the mineral resources of the colony. I hold that tke Government should hold sufficient State coal mines to be able to regulate the price of coal to the people of the colony. (20) Preference to Unionists in State service: Yes. Mr T. H. Davey.—" Regarding your communication', enclosing the political platform of the Canterbury Trades amdi Labour Council, I beg to submit the following replies to the proposals:—l am in accord with Questions 1,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20. Question: 10, oldi age pension : I am in favour of increasing the amount to 10s, which means £90,000, but do not thank it would be expedient to make the pension universal. Question 9: Quite agree with the principle, but fear that it would be difficult to enforce legislation- to that effect. Question 12: Would do all I could to facilitate free higher education, and would cordially support legislation in that direction, which, might not necessarily be on the lines suggested; Question 16: Favour Eight Hour Bill, bub think it would be somewhat arbitrary tof compulsorily select Saturday as a. universal! half-holiday. Question 17: Every applicant for position in Government service should' be placed on an equal footing'. Under the ballot system proposed it is possible that a man might for years submit his name! and never be successful, whilst a newcomer might be. I would support the fairest scheme submitted." Mr B. Baynes: "In answer to yotir cir-

cular, I beg to state I aim a colonist; of forty-two years' standing, and I am a candidate in the Liberal interest. I have had) considerable experience in. the building trade, and have been a large employer of labour. I have gone carefully through tiha planks of the platform set forth, by your Council, and I can only say they are identical with my own. If elected I will cordially support the- reforms tihereini set out. In conclusion, I may say many of your views on political questions have been held by me for several years past." AVON. Mr W. W. Tanner. —" I am glad to have seen the little paragraph in this morning's 'Lyttelton Times' to the effect that your Council had not yet received replies from all parties to your circular of Oct. 25, 1902, and I hasten to make good; the omission. Most points in the circular can be answered by reference to nay voting in Parliament; others are included! in my creed; but one or two are rather shortly expressed, or are capable of being read in more than one sense. To Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5,9, 11,13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, yes. To No. 7, yes, if their action lis prejudicial to the publio weal, which n suppose is meant in the question. To No. 8, yes; but rather than set up another institution I favour taking over the Bank of New Zealand, for which the State has done so much. To Nos. 10, yes, bxit this is dependent on an increasing revenue, for which we may reasonably look in the future.. No. 12: Yes, but I would make the limit' the Fourth Standard, which would not b'e too early for a lad to begin 1 special subjects indispensable to his after career, professional, scientific, literary, mechanical, etc. I differ from your question ini degree, not in principle. No. 17: The experiment was tried and discontinued a few years ago. So many candidates applied and had to procure birth, certificates at 2s 6d each, that a complaint was brought to me insinuating that it Was a device for additional taxation. In some departments your proposal would be impossible. What Board could "have decided on the fitness of the recently-appoint-ed balneologist, Dr Wohlmann? And in other cases urgency would admit of no delay. In many of the lower grades your proposal would apply, but the question is so framed as to lead one to suppose it means all vacancies. 'Age limit to be abolished' would mean anything, and, whilst well-in-tended, would open the door to curious results. Altogether, I would favour the introduction of some such scheme, but I am not isanguine as to results, or of its giving satisfaction, but it would be a Godsend to members. Nos. 6 and 20: I am distinctly in favour of preference to Unionists, but your question says 'in all awards.' I feel that to pledge myself to support a mandate to give preference ' in all awards,' would be limiting judicial discretion. There have been incidents in Wellington which one cannot look back upon with satisfaction in these disputes, and even your Council's candidate, Mr C. Taylor, is reported in this morning's p t %per as saying publicly that ' he recognised that there were exceptional cases where the preference clause could not be granted.' Just so, and that is the reason I object to the word 'all,' whilst all my sympathies are with the principle, as shown by the part I took an the Starkie case last session at Napier. No. 20: No, it might be unfair to men who had had no opportunity to join a. Union. Take a good, capable young labourer applying for a. porter's position, who, though qualified ten times over, might be disqualified by nothing else." Mr J. E. Brunt.—ln reply to your enclosed platform, I have the honour to reply as follows, apologising for delay.-.—Nos. 3, 4,5, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19: Yes. Nos. 1,2, 20: Have not yet definitely decided; am acquiring further information, and will give my definite replies later. No. 6: Yes, when the members of any Union can show an actual' majority of tho members in any trade.' As- Liberals I think that your Council will agree that the bare majority ought to rule in this case, as in others." Mr J. S. Myers: " I am in receipt of 3-our circular letter of Oct. 25 last, with platform enclosed l . I aim prepared to give a general support to the principles of the entire platform as it stand's. I may, however, remark that details must of necessity arise on the Ml consideration of each measure, which will, of course, require minute and particular attention." RICCARTON. Mr G. Witty.—" In reply to your letter of Oct. 25:—(1) I approve of all present tenures' of land. (2) I believe in. equality of sacrifice. (3) Yes. (4) No. (5) Not omi existing leases. (6) Should be left to Arbitration Court. (7) Yes. (8) Paper currency, no gold currency: Yes. (9) Yes. (10) Yes. (11) Yes. (12) Yes. (13) Yes, but not compulsory. (14) Yes. (15) Should be decided by surrounding circumstance's. (16) Eight Hour Bill practicable; the universal Saturday half-holiday should' be left to the people. (17) Yes. (18) Yes. (19) The retention of wealth in Crown lands, but would not interfere with private enterprise. (20) Should prefer all State servants to be under Arbitration and! Conciliation Act." Mr G. W. Russell.-" In reply to your circular I enclose my replies regarding platform., I regret to notice one omission. The platform ought to inolude a line that the State should not under any "circumstances import anything that could be manufactured in the colony by our own people. (1) Yes, as an ultimate. (2) l r es, : as required. (3) Certainly. (4) Yes. (5) Yes, am author of tho proposal. (6) Yes. (7) Yes, where the trusts and combines interfere with food supplies. • (8) Yes, take over the Bank of New Zealand. (9) Yes, most certainly. (10) Increase the pension to 10s a week: Yes ; make universal: No. (11) Referendum: Yes; let initiative wait a bit. (12) Partly favourable. (13) Yes. (14) Yes. (15) Yes. (16) Yes, straight. (17) Unworkable. (18) Yes. (19) Yes, as an ultimate to be worked up to. (20) Yes." LYTTELTON. Mr G. Laurenson. —"I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favour of Oct. 25, together with a copy of your poetical platform; for 1902. With the exception of planks 1, 10, 17 and 20, I am prepared to support all your platform-, which, I might add, I always have done. Regarding

planks 1, 10, 17 and 20, I would point out, first, that, however strongly one may be in favour of land nationalisation, to advocate it at present would only he to drive its accomplishment further off. Two steps lie immediately . before us in' connection with the land question. The first of these is the immediate stoppage of the sale of another foot of the l national freehold, and that all future leases shall lave aj clause providing for periodical revaluation. The! next step is the doubling of the progressive land tax. These two things are not only necessary, they are urgent. Let us secure them first. Plank 10: The first great reform in, connection with old age pensions is to make it universal. Thisestablishes the scheme on a sound foundation. When that -is done it removes all argument against it. Everyone is taxed for it, everyone who reaches sixty-five years of age reaps its benefits. It also removes ail taint of charity from- the scheme, and does nothing to discourage thrift. Plank 17: I heartily agree with this, except the clause which would abolish the age limit, as this I consider necessary in the case of juniors and apprentices. Plank 20 : To insist on this at present would be, I think, unwise. I believe, if you consider the mattr, yo<u -will agree with me. Outside <# the above points, I can onlyi again reaffirm my belief in your platform. Best wishes for your own success, and,_in fact, for the success of the party of progress at the forthcoming election." Mr W. Rollitt.—"Replying to the questions of your Council regarding political matters, I beg to state I shall with pleasure support questions 4,5, 6,7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Question 1: I am, and have ever been an ardent supporter of the- Government purchasing land as required for settlement purposes;" and should vote dead against them, selling again, or selling any further areas of Crown lands. By this method the gradual resiimption of the land by the people will take place, and will always have my hearty support; but I cannot see how we can possibly nationalfee the land other than by this method. Question. 2 : Land at present pays taxation on a capital of £6OOO with £2OOO exemption, Id in the £, equal to £to 13s 6d, as against a man who puts £6OOO into business, and makes a profit of 10 per cent on the same yearly, or £6OO psr year, and only pays income tax on £3OO, the. balance being exempt. He consequently, pays 6d in the £, equal to £7 10s. I am of opinion that the business man should' pay a fairer share of taxation. The farmer provides much the larger part of fcbe revenue for our railways, and pays his fair share of the Customs duties, and the more prosperous he is, the better condition of the colony and its workers. I should oppose anything that would retard their prosperity, as I feel certain all sections of the community would suffer thereby. Question 3: Whilst agreeing that the necessaries of life should be taxed on the very lowest scale, I could not vote for the total ahoution of duties on them. I shall, at all times, however, be prepared to vote for a reduction. With respect to Question 16, I'may say that some years ago, whilst employing over twenty men in my then flour miJls, I reduced the hours of labour, without bting asked, from twelve to eight, without any reduction in the men's pay. This I did because I honestly believed eight hours was long enough for m«i to work. I may say I am not now connected either directly or indirectly with the flojgr trade. Question 8: This is such a vast question that I am loth to give an answer to it until T have more data to work upon. It seems to ii», first, that no Bank can be successfully worked unless it has a large gold reserve; and, secondly, that there will always be a fear of certain influences' getting into the management, but I shall meet the question at all times in an unbiassed manner, and, if I can see it will be of benefit to the colony,

I shall support the same. This, I think, answers all your questions." I Later on Mr Rollitt sent another letter, as follows: —" Not knowing when the meeting of your Council was, to be held, I wrote answering the questions hurriedly. After mature consideration I would like to point out that, with reference to question 1, you will see by my answer that I am in favour of the principles embodied in the question ;, also that lam in of some increase with reference to question 2. Question 3I am strongly in favour of, as the finances of the colony allow the reduction of the duties on the necessaries of •life. I think it only right to say I am. not quite at one with your. Council in re? spect to the establishment of a State bank, but, not being familiar with the work of banks, I thought it necessary to say I should vote for a State bank if, after hearing the arguments in favour of the same discussed", I' could see the same would be to the benefit of the colony. All your other questions I have answered in the affirmative, and, if selected by your Council, you can rest" assured' I shall always vote straight and true, and shall promise- to do nothing that my principles will not allow. I may'say lam a member of the Progressive Liberal Society, and was at one tinw on the executive, but, owing to my numer? ous public and private engagements, hava not been able to take the same interest ia the Society which I should have liked to do."