POLICY OF LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 15

POLICY OF LABOUR.

POLITICAL AIMS STATED,

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

LAND AND FINANCE SCHEMES.

PARTY'S OFFICIAL MANIFESTO*

A comprehensive review of the Labour Party's political platform is contained in a manifesto issued yesterday by the president, Mr. J. K. Archer, and the Parliamentary leader, Mr. 11. E. Holland.

"Tlio Labour Party's policy is framed to help the man who uses the land and to handicap the speculator," the manifesto says. "The party on entering office as the Government will make provision for land settlement by offering maximum assistance to competent farmers in the development of all cultivable land now unoccupied, the purchase (compulsory where necessary) of tho larger land holdings suitable for closer settlement, tho settlement of acquired land on perpetual lease conditional on occupancy and use, the stimulation of closer settlement and prevention of aggregation by increased tax on large holdings of first and second-class lands, and Slate provision of facilities necessary for the transfer of land. "The splendid work accomplished by tho Public Trust Office, tho State Advances Office and the Post Office Savings Bank in the organisation of the" savings and credit of the Dominion is endangered from the attacks of the private financial institutions," the manifesto says in regard to finance. "Tho pressure of tho associated banks and private money lending institutions on the Government has resulted in the raising of tho interest rates and reduction of loans through the State Advances Office. State Borrowing. "It has also led to curtailment of facilities at the Post Office Savings Bank (whereby £3,000,000 of deposits have been transferred to the private banks) and restriction of the deposit facilities previously made available by the Public Trustee. In addition, the publicly announced policy of the Government that the State was not responsible for the bonds issued under the Rural Advances Act resulted in an increased cost of at least 10s per cent, for interest on the bonds. This charge is automatically passed on either to tho farmer or general taxpayer." The heavy load of debt and its consequential annual interest charge, amounting to £12,500,000, involved such a tax on the production of tho Dominion that every, care should be taken that loans raised should be confined to those for works essential to the natural development and progress of the Dominion. The party would restrict public borrowing to the minimum consistent with the natural development and progress of the Dominion, make full utilisation of the Public Trust Office and Post Office Savings Bank, extend the State xVdvances Office to provide the credit necessary for primary production and house-building at minimum rates of interest, with a State guarantee behind all loans raised for these purposes, and establish a State bank with a special department for agricultural banking. Education Questions. Referring to education the manifesto states classes in schools are still too largo and as a result teachers are unablo to give the necessary attention to individual pupils. The principle of equal pay for equal service for teachers should be instituted. The right of appeal against nonappointment enjoyed by other branches of the public service should be extended to teachers. The national education system should be made completely free by the provision of the necessary books and school requisites for all scholars free of charge.

The party's policy in regard to education included tho extension of teachers training facilities to provide the necessary staff for smaller classes, the provision of special educational facilities for tho training of New Zealand boys for farming occupations and land utilisation. Tho party's policy in regard to health questions is enunciated as tho promotion of facilities for the maintenance of individual health, together with the extension of the public hospital system to ensuru adequate medical, surgical and nursing attention for all. The advisability of separating' charitable aid from the hospital system would also bo considered in conjunction with the social, pensions and unemployment insurance policy of tho party.

Health Insurance Scheme. Given Uio opportunity the party would establish a national health insurance scheme for the payment of a maintenance daring sickness. It would also extend the family allowance system to provide an adequate payment to mothers oi j largo families, adjust old age widows and other pensions to a level su ® Cl f." - maintain a reasonable standard of ll^ l f V and enter into a reciprocal agreement with other countries of the Empire fo directed (lie risk of fire and general accidents at a minimum cost. . , The party was neither in favour of free trade'or protection,, behoving that, neither of these policies would solva the economic problems facing the country. Tho party would fully support the development, and maintenance of tho primary and secondary industries natural to tho country, providing adequate safeguards against monopoly prices. _ In regard to wages in the public service, it would tako immediate steps to restore the 1914 standards and to establish a basic wage sufficient to ensure an adequato standard of living. A full investigation of the transport systems of the Dominion would also be undertaken. Unemployment Problem. Tho manifesto expresses tho opinion that unemployment is related to immigration. and the party would appoint an employment board "to minimise tho illeffect on tho labour market due to seasonal occupations. Unemployment insurance would bo instituted on a contributory basis, with equal payments from employers, employees and the Government.' Immigration would be limited in accordance with the demand for labour and the availability of land for closer settlement. Tho party again voices its determination to abolish compulsory military training. Provision would also be made for preferemial voting at all referenda when more than two issues were on the ballot paper. In regard to Samoa, the manifesto states the party stood for a policy of conciliation and justice in New Zealand's adminis-. tration of Western Samoa, with recog - lion of the right of the Samoans to paltieinato in tho government of country. The light of fair persons charged interests sion for safeguarding the econon. . of tho Samoaus by tho mftikoting copra, would also bo provided.