Official Manifesto of Democratic Labour

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 210, 4 September 1943, Page 5

Official Manifesto of Democratic Labour

Summary §f Ideals and Aims

The following is a summary of the official manifesto issued by the Democratic Labour Party:—

“We stand for a common-sense war effort. We do not believe that only the winning of the war matters. We desire to see the war won and New Zealand emerge not exhausted physically beyond the proportional exhaustion of our allies. We want to win the war for living men and women in New Zealand, as well as for democratic ideas. We believe our war commitment to be in excess of our manpower -nd industrial capacity, and that our commitment should be in the Pacific, so that home life can be refreshed by men based on our own land and on leave in our own land. One land division adequately reinforced we believe a reasonable commitment. We would face at once a realistic revision of manpower. Credit and Currency. “No new order can be built without a new credit system. We would advance the production and distribution manager and engineer in importance in society. We say that whatever we can organise the nation to produce physically is financially possible. We believe that the banking service should be to facilitate the production, exchange and consumption of goods, not a business to create nd advance commodity credit profit. Credit for Industrial Expansion. “We spent £120,000,000 this year for destruction and have over 200,000 people withdrawn from industry to produce and consume destructive equipment. With the return of our armies and the demobilisation of war workers big schemes of industry building -re possible. We would create:—(l) A Ministry of new industries; (2) an industries credit corporation to advance funds at nominal rates to (a) Citizens willing to find proportion of cost of new industry, (b) Existing manufacturers where New Zealand’s needs necessitate expansion of existing industry. (c) Co-operative groups of soldiers and employees willing to acquire shares in new industries or by arrangement between a consenting proprietor and soldiers; or an employees’ union where co-operative groups of soldier® or organised workers desire to become part owners rather than ‘hands’ in an existing co-operation, (d) The State for the building of essential heavy industries, directorates to be built of practical manufacturers to whom the commodities manufactured will be raw material; State representatives, workers representatives, the aim being the co-operation of all interested in production at minimum co*t of basis essentials in much the way in which to-day the community combines to produce and distribute water power, the idea being not new State departments, but rather production co-operations with a democratic purpose and charter. “Unless we have planning of this sort, planning wherein existing and new private and social units co-operato for social good, chaos lies ahead. With production for use not interfered with uy the need of maintaining money as a profit commodity, an age of plenty is at band. “Credit for Farmers: Establishment through the Bank of New Zealand of a stock and station agency to finance farmers at nominal Gradual replacement of mortgaged indebtness with table mortgages at nominal rates so that farmers may win debt freedom. Advancement of credit to bona fide farmers’ co-operatives to enable use of machinery, marketing, farm improvement to be socially engaged in. Funds for rural housing at between 1$ and 2 per centLand. “We concede whatever tenure pleases the tenant. We aim at a reduction in the size of farms and in indebtness. We aim at farmers doing one day’s work for themselves rather than eight hours for the farmer and eight for the bondholder. We prefer a soldier on 100 acres free of debt to a soldier on 200 acres a bond slave, “Credit for Consumption: Utilisation of credit at peace to switch production consumption from war to peace without a major crisis. Credit to the extent of unutilised industrial capacity can in part be used to provide improvements in social services, such as pensions, health, and education. Substantial bonuses of gratuities to soldiers to be released over a period, and thus sustain purchasing power after demobilisation. Housing. “Large-scale programme of house building, providing houses from seven and eight rooms to pensioners’ flats. Advancement of credit, at say 1} per cent., to home-builders desiring to mild f ot private ownership, thus reducing the costs of ownership by about £1 a week. Advances to modernise oi repair. “Motherhood: If we can afford £120,000,000 a year for war and lifetaking, we cannot afford to be niggardly to ensure national survival. We would aim at peace at £1 u head for mothers of each child, regardless of the husband’s income. This is not visionary, but eminently practical. “Health: Building of a clinic system of which a stipendiary staff will provide a complete modern service. Increased provision of hospitals and maternity homes. Higher salary and status for women staff. “Education: Bchool building and improvement as a rehabilitation measure. We would cut dead wood out of the curriculum. Provision of living allowances or wages to the extent of the Dominion’s needs for long-term trainees for professions, thus making the world safe for democracy in tho schoolroom. Pensions. “At peace, an improved old-age pension as a right not determined by income. A present increase to compensate for living costs. Automatic revision by statistician of all pensions in consonance with a rise in the cost of living. Substantial revision as national income recovers. “Soldiers’ Pensions: Establishment of principle of the family pension of at loast £5 5s for married man of -00 per cent, disability, plus family allowances, lesser disability to rank as percentage of £5 ss, with deduction where single. “Radio: Provision of musical scholarships or free tutorship by an adequately paid staff. Increased expenditure on New Zealand art and artists, all surplus funds to be invested in children of talent and in the payment of New Zealand artists. “Churches, Halls, Theatres: Advances to congregations, civil communities, Little Theatre societies, cultural, recreational or welfare societies at nominal rates of interest—say, 1} per cent., to provide buildings. “Civil Service: Steps to arrest de-

terioration of venditions of the Civil Service; to consider revision of pay, the anomalies of superannuation and social •ecurity, the need of tradesmen’s pay for tradesmen’s work, worker representation, pay of cadets, travelling allowances and adequate housing for transferred staffs. Our Candidates. “With 4S candidates selected at the moment of preparing this manifesto, one is the mother of four New Zealanders, 24 have worn the uniform in this war, 12 in this war and the last war, and six in the last war. Twentyfive per cent, of our candidates art farmers. We have representative worker* from many industries, w« have commercial men, manufacturers. We have an able seaman and a Naval lieutenant-commander, all the ranks from private to captain, and aircraftmen up to flying officer. Most of our candidates are young New Zealanders. Advance New Zealand. “When the manufacturing and producing power of the world which is, thanks to dictators, misused in war, is witched to intelligent production, distribution and exchange or commodities, a world of plenty, of leisure, of prosperity wUI be possible. The building of a new order will not be easy jut will call for the earnest goodwill and co-operation of every citizen. If we can get the will to co-operate for "the building of u still greater and better New Zealand that we now have enlisted for w-r purposes, enlisted for social well-being, greater income or farmers, for workers in industry, for our professional services, a vast increase in leisure and in culture for all will be possible. Patriotic goodwill and industry will be essential in the moment of peace. We cannot have goods without industrial effort, remove slums without arduous demolition aud rebuilding, restore the fertility of our soils ■ind build new industries without a •ommon acceptance of the pioneer task of National Reconstruction. We believe our citizens cr.n be inspired to see that every citizen has a decent home, every child is bom in other than a slum, that ardent effort in reconstruction is the prerequisite of restored industrial income. We believe that as the war is now made the keystone of national effort, so should the home be made the keystone of national welfare and prosperity. New Zealand has a great social, cultural and industrial future if we are worthy. “Democratic Labour aim* at freeing the community of all the shackles, material and traditional, which prevent the building of a great New Zealand, at conserving all the foundations and traditions that are worthy of our people. New Zealand can be made the social mansion of the Pacific.’’ The Democratic Soldier-Labour Party’s policy will be explained nsxt Tuesday night In the Palmerston North Opera House when addresses will be given by the leader of the party, Mr. John A. Lee. D.C.M.. M.P.. and the local candidate. Mr. Sydney Hindmarsh. Mr. Lee stated in his address in Auckland on Tuesday Blfht that he would speak in this city on Wednesday night, but the attention of electors In drawn to the fact that he will be her* on Tuesday night next as advertise*l in