FOR M MASSES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1334, 8 December 1914, Page 3

FOR M MASSES.

HEtfORM PARTY’S RECORD

We print below the full text of leaflet issued by the Reform Party under the title, “Massey’s Legislation for the Masses” ; Workers’ Homes, Massey Government erected in two years 305 homes, costing £161,230 ; 205 arranged for this year. Ward Government only erected 210 homes in six years, costing ,£146,622. Workers’ Compensation Act Amendments permit (amongst improvements) compensation cases being heard in the Magistrates’ Courts instead of waiting a sitting of the Arbitration Court; the right to recover compensation or damages in respect of any accident to a worker now exists after the death of either party; employees of the Crown, formerly debarred, are now able to exercise the same right to receive compensation in respect of accidents as other workers; the allowance which may be made in respect of medical and funeral expenses is increased under new law from £2O to £SO. Post Office Savings Bank. Rate of interest. Ward’s time per cent, Massey’s introduction percent. Increase to depositors of £40,000 per annum. Railway Employees’ Salaries raised by approximately £120,000 per annum. Police Department. —Rates of pay increased in all ranks, the extra payments this year involving an increase of £IB,OOO and conditionS’of service greatly improvedPost and Telegraph Department. —Salaries raised by £42,000 per annum. Public Service.—Salaries raised by £48,000 per annum. Marine Department’s Seamen. —Advanced rates of pay now exceeding that of any colonial shipping company; conditions greatly improved, including right to superannuation and annual leave. Government Printing Office. — General increase of salaries with improved conditions of work. Minimum Wage of £l4O Per Annum established throughout the Civil Service for married men.

Veterans’ Pensions of Per Annum without either income or property disqualification. Women’s Pensions payable at 60 years of age instead of 65 as in Ward’s time. Widows’ Pension Scheme liberally extended, and pension now payable to every child under 14 whose mother is a widow.

Widows’ Exemption of Land Tax up to unimproved value, under certain conditions, provided by the Reform Government.

The Rising Generation. —The Reform Government has provided physical instruction with healthy exercises and medical inspection for the children attending the primary schools, thus showing its very real concern for the development of healthy minds and bodies an the rising generation. By passing the Iron and Steel Industry Bill, the Government has opened the way for a large and important local industry, which must benefit the workers. Crown Defenders. Massey Government has arranged so that counsel may be provided to defend accused persons unable to pay for their own defence.

Shearers’ and Agricultural Labourers’ Bill. —Providing better conditions for the workers.

Distress and Replevin Act, now amended, raising the exemption of chattels of workers up to the value of from destraint for debt.

Industrial Legislation. —“Labour Disputes Investigation Act. 1913,” introduced by the Massey Government, provides for :

Secret ballot of Union members to be taken, and 14 days’ notice to be given before strike takes place. The right of every man to work without molestation. ' The prevention of intimidation, and the workers’ right to freedom of expression of his opinions.

Number of Strikes. — During the time of Ward’s Government, 63. In Massey’s time the general strike followed the Waihi, Reefton and Oamaru strikes, all coming as the aftermath of the policy pursued by Sir Joseph Ward. The Waihi strike and the Reefton strike, involving 1219 miners, were some eight weeks in existence when Massey came into power, and had not been settled up to that time by any so-called. Liberal leader in “two days” by “heart to heart talk,” or even the “reading of the Riot Act.” With advent of war, the Massey Government quickly bought up available wheat in Australia, some 45.000 bushels, and has since arranged tor the purchase 250.000 bushels from Canada. *. The Government has also fixed the selling price of both wheat and flour. Freehold Land Tenure. —Under Massey Government, open to all. lessees also having the right to secure freehold. Lands for Settlement. —Ward Government acquired estates for closer settlement in two years (prior to Massey) 58.846 acres. Massey Government acquired similar estates in two years to March 31st. 1914. 268,160 acres. Under the Massey Government’s nolicv the Lands for settlement Scheme is being developed on lines that will presently enable the purchase of estates to be effected without farther borrowing in London. Graduated Land Tax Araend-

meat accounted for 37,500 acres in Hawke’s Bay district alone being cut up for closer settlement during twelve months ending March 31st 1914. Native Lands formerly lying idle, producing no rates whatever, are now being taken over by the Government for cutting up and settlement.

Uplifting the Maori.—Massey legislation places the Maori Natives on exactly the. same plane as the Pakeha, entitling them to all the rights and privileges of British subjects.

Civil service Commissioners appointed by Massey Government have completely “ outed ” political patronage and favours to friends of narty in power. Promotion now assured only by ability and character.

Education Amendments, generally improving our educational system, and which will ultimately raise the salaries of teachers of all grades to the extent of £is°> 000 per annum, thus carrying out the Massey policy of adequate pay tor adequate work.

Naval’Defence Act, 1913, provides for training of men tor Navy on local training ship, and for strengthening the British naval force in the Pacific by the construction of a Bristol cruiser, which in time of war would pass under the control of the British Government, Passed into law :

Mortgage Extension Act and Moratorium. —The salvation of many a worker’s home (in effect making all mortgages continuous at existing rate ot interest until six months following close oi war). The Massey Government Record stands alone and unassailable, particularly in the face of 2>2 years of unprecedented happenings—the small-pox epidemic, seriously threatening the whole Dominion for months ; the worldwide money stringency through Balkan and Turkish Wars ; the general strike ot 1913, the outcome of universal labour unrest; and finally the great European war of 19T4. The Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act provides adequate protection, and safeguards the interests of those who are unable to properly care for themselves, and is an Indication of the humanitariauism which disginguishes the Massey Government, The Footwear Regulation Act protects the workers from being sold brown paper and similar shoddy in place ot leather goods.

The Reform Government provided increased pay for our troops who are upholding the honour of the Empire. In addition the Government is paying the superannuation contribution of troopers in Government employ while they are serving with the forces.

The Massey Government again has legislated tor superannuation allowances for employees of local bodies and private employers, the State contributing towards such payments, workers being thus able to make provision lor their old age and for sickness. The Six-Day Week For Cooks And Waiters had been turned down for 20 years by the,so-called Liberals. With the advent of the Massey Government this muchneeded and deserved reform was promptly accomplished. Poor Man’s Defence At Law ! —Another important reform effected. A prisoner who is too pcor to obtain legal assistance in his defence can now, by leave of the Magistrate or Judge, procure counsel at the expense ol the State.

Civil Servants are now enabled to become members of local bodies, a measure of freedom which the Opposition party denied them during their 20 years of office. “The Only True Liberals.’’ Loyal And Ever Ready For Any Emergency, ’’