GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18235, 31 October 1922, Page 9

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

PROGRAMME OUTLINED.

REDUCTION OF TAXATION.

FURTHER ECONOMY IN VIEW.

FOSTERING OF INDUSTRY.

[eT TIXEORAVH.—tPRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Monday. J " \t the last, general election, three I vears' ac<>. 1 submitted a political pro-! gramme "of what I thought the country would require during the aftermath of the great war, and the difficult period of reconstruction from which wo have not yjt emerged." said tho Prime Minister in a policy manifesto to-day. " The Govern- j ment has followed with advantage the I lines of policy then laid down, but much j still remains to be done.. i '• The need of the day and the hour I is for a strong Government; one that will reflect the prevalent democratic spirit of the nation, which this Government has at all times endeavoured to foster raid tho principles of which I claim it has interpreted on lines making for liberty—political and economic—freedom from class ascendancy and privilege and maintaining the principles of freedom and equality of opportunity, so that tho lowliest member of "the community may, if ho is so minded, tit himself for higher ranks of citizenship. That liberty and freedom have been applied by the Government in every possible direction, consistent with security and the- maintenance of law and order, which are the surest safeguards against revolutionary action and Bolshevism, which taints a certain section of tho community. Judged by the standards of penuino Liberalism the actions and_ legislation of the Government have admittedly etood the test. '• When Br. appeal was made to tho country at tho general election in 1919, the policy I then submitted on behalf of the Government met, with general approval, as was e-ndent in the election results. That policy wo have consistently adhered to. Much of it has already taken practical shape, although the times have not proved altogether propitious. The financial obligations arising out of tbe war, together with the very serious dr.ap in the value of our etapie products, make it necessary that tho first and most, important plank in the policy of the Government should be a reducfiou in the national expenditure, with such retrenchment and economy as will enable ua to live well wituin our income. Econ-1 omy must not, however, be pushed to that point where it would interfere with tho further development of our resources, which is so necessary if we are to increase csur exports, find employment for our people, and bring more capital into the Dominion.

Government's Primary Objective. " The primary 'objective in the Government's policy then is to get the country back to a- condition oi" permanent prosperity, and to that end, I think it will be admitted, we are justified in asking .for tho support of those who place the ini;eretsts of the country before every other consideration. • •' I am glad to say the Government has been able to make a reduction in taxation. We hope to be able to relieve the ..taxpayer still further of the. hardens which* press so heavily upon hirra, and which admittedly clog the wheels or trade and industry, thus retarding our commercial progress. Electors should, therefore, see that the Government has their whole-hearted support in this direction .because without it no Government pledged to such economies can enrrv on successfully. Given such support, 1 hope in the near future to make further substantial reductions in taxation. " It will be the aim of the Government to provide land for the landless—those competent to handle it successfully—and thus to relieve unemployment and provide work for the workless with a consequent increase in production. Where necessary it is proposed, as far as the resources of the Stat* Advances Department permit, and we have considerablystrengthened and intend to further increase its available funds, to provide the requisite capital for the small man who is prepared to use it prudently and productively. Present Day Needs. " With much of our 1919 programme already carried out need still remains for— " (1) A strong Government administering the affairs of the country with due regard to its responsibility, actuated neither by party motive nor personal interest and performing its duties without fear or favour. " (2) Careful and economical administration by avoiding waste and extra vc.ganee, thus ensuring do the taxpayer full value for his expenditure. " (3! Continued sympathetic and generous treatment for our returned soldiers, with special attention to the interests of the incapacitated and partially disabled* men "id the dependants of those who made the supreme .sacrifice in the- great war.

" (4) Further development of the Dominion by (a) a vigorous public works policy, ensuring the speedy completion of railways now under construction; (b) construction and improvement of main highways for traffic and the establishment of motor and passenger lorry services in outlying districts where the construction of railways would be an unprofitable proposition, thus opening up back country; (c) further extension of hydro-electric schemes and utilising the vast national water powers for power and lighting purposes. " (5) Encouragement of a self-reliant policy which, so far as foodstuffs are concerned, will make New Zealand independent of outside supplies. Waste and Swamp Lands. " (6) Profitable cultivation of waste, nwamp, and arid areas so as to make the fu".l»3t possible use of our present undeveloped territory, and the prevention of occupied lands fit for agricultural purposes Winy held in an unproductive condition. " (7) Increased shipping facilities for marketing nur surplus products with tho lest possible transport arrangements, the State to make such arrangements as will prevent the exploitation of both producer and consumer. " (8) Encouragement of industries in . every possible way, but especially by: (a) i Using up our own raw material; (b) en-cou-iginL' the establishment of iron works, shipbuilding, and other secondary industrips with a view to providing employment for our people and avoiding a disadvantageous uncle balance; and (c) aiding the fishing industry by financial assistance for the purpose of providing cold storage and up-to-date fishing vessels and gear, repayment s.n be made on the instalment system, the fishing industries of the Dominion to be placed under one Minister. (9) Encouragement of a well thought out system of profit-sharina: as between employers and ' workers where any such scheme may be brought into successful ! operation. ' (10) Up-to-date shipping and mail services between New Zealand and Great Britain. "(11) Further development and encouragement of New Zealand trade with Australia and the hdands of the Pacific. "(12) t'uither encouragement of preferential t■;!(![. wit.iiin the Empire, thus giving to British citizens in British countries the commercial and industrial advantages i" which thev are indisputably entitled. The principle; of Imperial preference to Vie maintained in regacri to immigration in oido; to eliminate ais far as possible- dangerous alien interests and influences and to further strengthen Imperial unity. J l3) Continued assistance to local authorities and others with the object ol effecting a ru.tionai improvement in the housing „f the people, both in town and country. • i f i,in t ; | ho approved prinjipie of free secular arid compulsory education, with full opportunity for our f°un K people to take advantage -of a

'thorough educational system which must provide the best available technical, vocational, domestic, and hygienic training, facilities, and equipment. "(15) Every possible assistance by the otate to maternity patients such assistance to include expert treatment in maternity hospitals and nursing homes and the services of trained nurses for mothers -who cannot attend maternity institutions, with special instructions in the proper treatment and care of infants bv methods such as those successfully adopted by the Plunket Societv. "(16) Extension of the svstem of district nurses for back-b!ack districts. '"(17) In order to encourage thrift, industry, energy, and enterprise, a consistent observance of the principle that every section of the community should receive its fair share of the community's earnings m proportion to the value of its services. "(18) No reversion to the political control of the Public Service. "(19) Extension of the principle of exempting from income tax the heads of households in proportion to the number ot children in each family. "(20) Further amendments of the system or military training to provide that it shall not interfere unnecessarily with the industrial operations of the country. Delence in the Pacific.

'(21) An arrangement -with Great Britain and other British countries concerned for the proper naval protection of the Pacific. "(22) Provision of such legislation as may be necessary to make impossible the operations of trusts and combines, either foreign or local, or any foi-m of profiteering intended for r the exploitation of either consumers or producers. "(23) A vigorous immigration policy with substantial encouragement and assistance to citizens of the United Kingdom who desire to emigrate to New Zealand and make their home here. "(24) The small freehold policy to be maintained with sufficient safeguards against aggregation. "(25) A roading schen:e to be brought into operation by which within a reasonable period good roads will bo provided in overy part of the Dominion. "(26) The telephone system to be still further extended and made specially available for settlers in out districts. Further postal facilities for country settlers by an extension of the svstem of rural mail services. ''{21) Re-afforestaticm and planting of sand dunes with suitable timber trees so as to_ provide for the future requirements of this country. "(28) Practical State encouragement of town planning schemes by civic and municipal bodies and organisations. "(29) Consistent encouragement by educational and other means of practical patriotism, love of country, appreciation of British citizenship, pride in Britain's record in peace and war, determination to make New Zealand a model British community, to keep it progressive and prosperous, enlightened, and self reliant, self respecting, industrious, and independent, and always ready to do its duty in maintaining the principles of British nationhood.

" Call of Empire." " When the call recently came to us in connection with the crisis in the Near i East to safeguard the fruits of the victories gained in the Great War, I felt, and my colleagues in the Government felt with me, that there could be only one response to the British Prime Minister's appeal that the Dominions should associate themselves with the Mother Country in the perilous moments which had come upon us. The Government accepted the responsibility of informing Mr. Lloyd George that New Zealand desired to as- ! sociato itself with Great Britain in any i course of action decided upon, and also ! that tho Dominion was prepared to send a contingent if required. To me, personally, as also to my colleagues, it was a source of pride' to know that by its action the Government had so correctly interpreted the feelings of both Parliament, and the country. Save from a section of Socialistic Labour, I believe the country was with the Government in its decision, and it was a proud day for New Zealand when it was announced that without any call for volunteers over 14,000 men and women had come forward to offer tfheir services to the country in the event of drastic action being necessary. Issues Definitely Stated. " I have said the country needs a strong Government, with capable administration. Three parties are appealing to the electors for support at this time. Between two o£ these parties the differences are more those of men than of measures and of party rather than of principles. The third party stands aloof, wedd»Ni to revolutionary principles and actions, which, if' successful, would tend to disintegrate the Empire and substitute for orderly self-government, which the country now enjoys, Soviet rule and class legislation of the worst possible kind. If New Zealand is to be made safe for democracy a stand must be made against anything in the way of revolutionary Socialism, which, if allowed to take root in our public life, would involve the destruction of those lofty ideals by which its peoples are inspired. Just as in 1314, so ac;ain to-day, the call cones to all loyal citizens to range themselves on the side of the forces mnking for law and order, for freedom and equality—equality of opportunity limited only by the capacity of the individual to avail himself of the chances of advancement coming within, his reach. New Zealand's and the Emnire's greatest need to-day is that their citizens should unite in the defence of their common interests and eschewing all others, support those who have by their conduct and practical work, attested their loyalty to the Empire and who are prepared to maintain those principles of truth, justice, and freedom, which are at once the foundations t.nd mainsprings of British law. No Truck With Bolsheviks. " In view of the approaching elections I feel I need hardly do more than enjoin upon rr.v fellow citizens the necessity of standing" solidly toother in defence of the liberties oi which the Bolsheviks, I.W.W.'s. and revolutionary Socialists would deprive us if they had the opportunity I know people of that stamp are out asreinst the Government. Speaking on its behalf, I say emphatically, we neither want their support nor would we remain in office a single day were we dependent upon them. But speaking for myse'f and also for thos*> who have so lovpily and faithfully worked with us (luring the ten strenuous years which have elapsed since I was first entrusted with the leadership of the people, I say that wc do want the support of all patriot icallv-minded and right-thinking citizens, 'whether their incomes are 10s per dav'or £10.000 per' annum. I am quite satisfied to leave our political fortunes in their hands."

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