LABOUR PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 74, 22 February 1930, Page 4

LABOUR PARTY

DECISIONS OF CAUCUS'. OUTLINE OF POLICY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. The following statement, representing tho decision of the Labour Party caucus, which has been sitting in Wellington during tho past two days, has been handed to the Press by Mr H. E. Holland, leader of tho Labour Party:— Tho outstanding leatures of the present economic and political situation in New Zealand aro tho problems of finance and crecjit, land settlement, the utilisation of unemployment, industrial depression and tho critical conditions which have developed in connection with our administration of tho League of Nations mandate for Western Samoa. On all these questions, tho Labour Party finds itself at variance with tho policy and administration of the present Government. Tho Government, in its policy placed before tho electors, specifically promised that it would reduce niortgago and loan money rates and would provide tho credit required for farmers and workers at 4j per cent*, and whilst it has made more money available than . the previous Government, yet it has signally failed to keep its promise. Tho fact is that tho high rates still being charged by the Government for loans to farmer*, settlers and workers and that difficulties aro how being, placed in tho way of obtaining legitimate amounts from the State Advances Office, followed by the Government’s offer of 5i per cent, interest on its own gilt-edged securities, have all contribuetd to tho position which has helped tho private banks to demand higher overdraft rates. Tljp Reform Government’s action, continued by tho present Government, in reducing tho amount which could bo placed in the Post Offico Savings Bank at interest, has also strengthened the control now being exorcised by tho private banks. The Labour Party is of opinion that tho industries, primary and secondary and tho commerce of the Dominion, can only bo fully developed by a better organisation of credit under public control. The powerful buying interests now operating in and for overseas countries render it essential that the primary producer should bo assisted to tho fullest possible extent. Tho main market for our produce is Great Britain and the policy of the British Labour Government is clear and definite. It is willing to co-operate with tho Government and producers’ organisations for the purchase in bulk of the produce of the Dominions. LAND SETTLEMENT AND TAXATION.

The progress of the Dominion is dependent upon tho full use of the land to meet immediate requirements. The Labour Party’s policy is: (1) The. reading, preparation and settlement of ail suitable unoccupied Crown-land; (2) the bringing into use of all land held but not culti-

vated or developed; (3) encouragement of cultivation of native lands;. (4) the subdivision of suitable large estates, where necessary, for closed settlement; (5) stimulation and extension of the activities of the Department of Agriculture; (6) tho revision of the incidence of land and income taxation, to remove existing anomalies; (7) classification of lands for taxation purposes; (8) graduation of land taxation to relievo and encourage the smaller farmers.

The public should bo fully informed on the prevalence of unemployment by i tho publication throughout the Dominion j every week of a statement giving the I number of unemployed who have regis- ; tered at tho offices of the Labour Department. I The policy of the Labour Party to meet I the present situation embodies tho following proposals: The employment of men I under expert supervision for tho purposo |of preparing available Crown lands for j settlement and cultivation; a vigorous road construction policy, special attention to be ! given to the clearing and metalling of I roads in back country areas; the cmployI ment of additional men on railway works; more liberal subsidies to local bodies; the abolition of relief rates and conditions on public works. The Labour Party’s policy is to stimulate and assist existing secondary indusitries and to encourago tho establishment of new industries which can bo profitably developed in the interests of tho Dominion. The Labour Party will also consider tho raising of tho school age, tho lowering of the ago limit for pensions, tho shortening of the hours of labour, and the minimising of overtime. Tho Labour Party will set up an Employment Board to organise employment, and will immediately create an insurance fund to provide for tho maintenance of workers for whom employment is not immediately available. SAMOAN SITUATION. | The Labour Party repudiates and wholly dissociates itself from the present Government’s continuation of the Reform Gov- ! ornment’s coercive- policy in relation to Western Samoa, and particularly deplores tho shooting during Christmas week of men innocent of any criminal act or intention. It takes the strongest cxccntion to tho naval and military invasion of the territory, and urges that a policy of conciliation be substituted for that of coercion. Existing deportation orders should bo cancelled, and the method of banishment, deprivation of titles, deportations and other punishments without trial should be superseded by a judiciary system, i Furthermore, the Samoans should be given j an adequate voice in the government of | their own country. The Labour Party finally urges an over- i haul of the Samoan Civil Service, with | tho replacement of unsuitable officials by men with a knowledge of the psychology, j historical conditions and tribal customs of l the Samoan race. The critical nature of j tho situation arising out of the conditions; which have been referred to and others, which are of almost equal concern, renders it imperative that Parliament should be called together forthwith.