A NATIONAL POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14146, 23 August 1909, Page 8

A NATIONAL POLICY.

Sir,— Ibo permitted to ventilate six propositions which seen necessary for the progress and welfare of the Dominion.

1. National Defence: Compulsory training of all males between the age* of 14- and 21 years. The necessity of this proposition, thanks to tho public spirit of the. 'National League and tho powerful advocacy of your paper, is generally accepted, and only waits tho action of Parliament to give effect to the will of tho people. 2. Quinquennial Parliaments: The advantages are Great saving in —elections taking place once in fivo years instead of, as at present, every three years, and greater efficiency in legislation. Under existing conditions tho members, if new, spend tho first session in learning their business and getting used to their surroundings. Tho second year they may do some useful work. Tho third session tho members are naturally more concerned in the prospects of re-elec-tion than the business of the nation, in fact, they arc " playing to the gallery."

3. Representation by Family : All parents to have an additional vote for each child under 21 years of age, such vote to be exercised by the father, or failing him, by the mother—a counterpoise against the unmarried men and women who have less interest and less at stako in the well-being of the country. At tho last census there wcro 384,736 children and young people under tho ago of 21 years, all of whom contribute to tho national revenue, and yet without representation. Tho fathers and mothers erf these young persons represent themselves as much, but. no more, than any unmarried man or woman over 21 years of age. The family man is usually a fixture- -the man without, encumbrances can come and go as inclination or circumstances may direct—the family man from a national standpoint merits special encouragement.

4. Customs to he reduced to 10 per cent, ad valorem on all goods of British origin— exceptions, wines, spirits, and tobacco, and possibly drugs—all importations from foreign countries 20 per cent.; any deficiency in revenue to bo made good by a universal tax of, say, 3d in tho £ on the unimproved value of all land, whether in town or country, or failing that, by a graduated income tax. Such a reduction in Customs would greatly reduce the cost of living, reduce the price "of labour, greatly increaso business to and from tho Home Country, stimulate immigration and benefit all round. Native industries might, suffer for a time, but. by reason of cheaper labour and tho decreased cost of imported " up-to-date" machinery the manufacturers would speedily adapt, themselves to altered circumstances. Artisans, whother in town or country, arc slow to learn that, high wages do not necessarily imply, comfort. That is regulated by the "purchasing power of money. A reduction in tho cost of living would benefit all workers, and that classification should include all men and women over 16 years of ago, and not incapacitated by ill-health or the infirmities of advancing years from earning their own living. This is a country of workers, and Parliament must legislate for them.

5. Gothenburg system of dealing with the liquor traffic. Turn the hotels or houses where any kind of alcoholic drinks are sold over to a public trust—whether national, municipal, or syndicate does not matter much. Management by a board of directors who appoint a manager, paid by salary, but who ha* no interest in the sale of wine, beer, or spirits, but may by commission participate in the profits on'the sale of temperance drinks and food, all net profits, after paying 5 per cent, interest on capital sunk in'buildings, stock, etc.. to be applied to public purposes. Prohibition, unless universal throughout the Dominion, and accepted by the people generally-conditions' which are in the very distant future—will not achieve the desired success. 6. Government annuities or " old age pensions," as at present constituted by Act of Parliament, to be available to all who are 65 years of age and have resided 25 years in tho Dominion. All contribute to this fund through tho Customs and other taxes, therefore all who comply with the above, conditions should have a claim on the fund, otherwise the pension looks too much like a, form of outdoor relief. Pro Bono Publico. Glen Murray, August, 1909.