THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19138, 2 October 1925, Page 13

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

NATIONAL PARTY'S FOLICY. ISSUE OF MANIFESTO. FINANCE AND THE LAND. A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS. [:3Y TELEGRAPH. —PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The National Party has issued the following manifesto of its policy in brief: — (1) Finance.—Maintenance of the country's credit by keeping borrowing within reasonable bounds. A self-reliant policy by borrowing a reasonable proportion of the money required for the country's needs within the Dominion. Thfe exercise of the strictest economy in public expenditure consistent with efficiency. The improvement of the system of examination of public accounts, by Parliament, so %s to ensure closer scrutiny and stricter control of public expenditure. Business mathods to be applied to the administration of ali Government departments. A State bank, free from political control. A revision of the incidence of taxation so that wealth will contribute its fair share of the cost. Government encouragement of thrift. A system of fixed deposits to be initiated in connection with the Post Office Savings Bank and operation by cheque on currant accounts. Bequests for public and philanthropic objects to be exempt from death duty. A reduction of customs taxation on the necessaries of life. (2) Farmers' Finance.—Legislation for the establishment of agricultural banks with a Government guarantee for the parpose of providing long-term mortgages at reasonable rates of interest on farm lands. A more liberal and regular provision of funds for the State Advances Department. {3) Land.—The application of the compulsory clauses of the Land for Settlement Act so as to enable a vigorous policy of settlement of good, pastoral dairying and agricultural land to be undertaken. A sufficient increase of graduated land tax to destroy the land monopoly and to discourage the holding r>l large: areas of highly-productive land suitable for close settlement. Drastic legislation for the prevention of land aggregation. Crown Lands: A revaluation of all deteriorated lands and relief to be given wherever tenants are paying rental in excess of the productive value. All large holdings, irrespective of tenure, to be classified as to their suitability for closer settlement. Homestead and village settlement legislation to be revived and vigorously applied for the settlement of suitable lands. Pumice Lands: The possibilities of extensive pumice lands to be examined and their development to be taken in hand. Conservation of our forest resources and a more extensive and scientific development of afforestation schemes. <c Views on Education. (4) Education.—The maintenance of the present system of free, secular and compulsory education. As primary education is the foundation of our educational system, it should be made more thorough and efficient and it should receive a greater share of the moneys provided for educational purposes. Better provision to be made for school buildings and equipment in the country and back blocks, thus removing, as far as practicable, the educational disabilities of country children. School medical services to be extended. Free dental treatment for ail primary school JiiJdren. The State to supply school books at cost price. Unify of the control and management of primary and secondary school education, the securing of more efficiency in each branch of education and a unified efficient system of education as a whole. To foster in the minds of th® children a love of country, pride of racu and loyalty to the Empire. (5) Defence.—Defence expenditure to be kept at the lowest possible limit consistent with national safety. Support of the League of Nations as a factor in the maintenance of the peace of the world. _ (6) Public Works.—Vigorous prosecution of the construction of roads, hydroelectric schemes. irrigatioE and other reproductive works. Special attention to back-block roads and the development of national resources, including mining. New Railway Lines: A thorough investigation of settlement and business possibilities of all proposed new railway lines, and a report to be submitted to Parliament before authorisation. A Parliamentary Public Works committee to be set up to examine and report to the House on the Public Works Estimates. State Fertiliser Works.

(7) Primary Industries.—Every endeavour to be made to increase production. State fertiliser works to be erected, if necessary, for the purpose of enabling farmers to derive the fullest benefit from the Dominion's interest in Nauru phosphates. A reorganisation of the demonstration farm system; the provision of moderately-sized farms in various districts under local control, and special powers to be given to local bodies to cooperate with the State in this work. More liberal assistance toward scientific ressarch. A soil survey of the Dominion. Special assistance to be given to herdt£ sting. {8) Industrial, Social and Humanitarian Legislation.—Adequate encourageto New Zealand's secondary industries, particularly those industries _ that work up or convert our raw materia', into manufactured articles. Co-operation between industrial associations and the State for this purpose. The maintenance and improvement of the arbitration system. The promotion in every way of closer co-operation between employers and employees. State monopoly of accident insurance with more liberal allowances under the Workers Compensation Act. The provision of free medical, surgical and hospital treatment to injured workers under the Act. The promotion of such legislation as will provide insurance against sickness or disablement. ihe ac option of the principle of. universal superannuation and the enactment of such legislation as will secure the same adequately on a. sound economic basis to all, whether in or outside Government employ. " Majority Rate."

(9) Electoral Reform—The adoption of a system whereby majority rul« shall be assured . . (10) Housing.—The provision of further finance to carry on a housing scheme for town and country.'' . (11) Trusts and Combines.—Special powers t-q be given to the Arbitration Court to" deal with trusts ar;d combines whose operations increase the cost of living. , , (12) Reform of the procedure and methods of conducting the business of Parliament. . T - , Generally the policy of the National Party is to pass such sound .economic and advanced humanitarian legislation as Will assist in inaugurating a new era of progress. prosperity and happiness for ai our pwple and in again placing i ew Zealand in the forefront of the peoples animated by high ideals of political, moral and social welfare.

THE liberal paety.

MP. FORBES GOES SOUTH. [BY TIXJ&GRAPJ [. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Thursday. Mr G. W. Forbes, Leader cf the Opposition, left Wellington this evening for Christcb:irch, where he will Open his party's a speech pa Satu day evening at Cheviot, in his own electorate oft Haraoai. _