NATIONAL PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 228, 25 August 1945, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY

POLICY FOR PROGRESS. REDUCE COST" OF LIVING. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 2-1 '•We are determined to address ourselves to the problem of obtaining I more production," said the Leader ot the Opposition (Mr Holland) m an address to the annual conference of the National Party, which was concluded today. Declining production, he I said, was a matter of the utmost sen'ousness to New Zealand. Last year dairy production was less by 70,000,10001 b than it was three years before. "Our standard of living," said Mr Holland, "consists of what we produce 'for ourselves. In our policy we give ' great attention to profit-sharing _ and improved industrial relationships. There I must be an incentive for men to proI duce more and earn more. We must I reduce the wage tax so as to leave 'more with the people. We think it should he made worthwhile for people to save and be self-reliant. The Government's policy is to encourage everyone to lean on the State, and we disagree with that." # I Mr Holland said that Britain took over 80 per cent.' of our primary products and could ho relied upon to buy our products provided we gave licr goods she wanted at the right price and the right to fair competition in our own markets. There was a danger that if we continued to assert the right to select what we bought from Britain she would say that she would select what she bought from and this might revive the danger of a quota such as was threatened in 1939. FULL EMPLOYMENT POLICY.

The National Party was determined to maintain a policy of full employment and would restore tc the farmer the control of his own affairs. There would be producer control of marketing with Government co-operation if it were needed. The housing policy of the National Party by removing the sales tax would effect a pronounced reduction in tne cost of houses. In the same way the National Party would reduce by half the cost of work-saving appliances needed by women in their daily housework.

j "We propose to bring down the cost of living," said Mr Holland, "and see that the women of New Zealand have restored to them their freedom of choice in buying the things they need." Mr Holland's address was received with acclamation and a motion of thanks and confidence in him was passed. The following officers were elected: —■ President, Mr W. J. Sim, K.C.; vicepresidents, Messrs G. M. Smith (Auckland), A. M. Bislev (South Auckland), P. J. Wall (Wellington), E. R. Comer 'Canterbury), G. W. Lane (OtagoSouthland); women vice-uresidents, North Island, Mrs R. H. Hardley (Tauranga); South Island, Mrs J. Campbell (Dunedin) ; vice-president representing the Maori race, Mr H. Marumaru (Wanganui).