SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8680, 13 March 1914, Page 6

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The Social Democratic party has issued a manifesto embodying its programme in relation to the Mayoral election and municipal affairs generally. The party undertakes that if it should be able to elect its candidate for Mayor, it will not attempt to carry out any of the measures of its programme except after the fullest discussion and on a referendum, if so ordered, of all the voters in the city. The party declares for the unification of all governing bodies, trusts, and boards, within the municipality, into a single municipal Government, the governing body to be elected under a system of proportional representation. The voting in all elections or referendums concerning loans or any other matter to be on the Parliamentary franchise. At the earliest date possible all rates shall be on unimproved land values only, all municipal enterprises furnishing either goods or services to be conducted at the actual cost of operation, exclusive of all costs of construction' which shall thereafter always bo chargeable to the rates. Municipal markets'or services shall be established for all household supplies and ordinary services, including milk, bread, fish, meat, fuel, medicines, medical aid, legal advice and defence, farm, orchard and garden produce, together with any necessary storage, subdivision and final delivery direct te the consumers.

Measures to be supported immediately include:— Provision for employment for the unemployed under trade union conditions by the extension of municipal enterprise, manufactures, and repairs. The extension of municipal markets and municipal trading. The establishment of a complete system of municipal laundries and baths, especially tepid salt water swimming baths.

The system of contracting in carrying out city works to be permanently abandoned, and all such work carried on under a municipal works department by the direct employment of labour. A minimum wage and a maximum day of six hours, with equal pay for equal service.