RONGOTAI AIRPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 8

RONGOTAI AIRPORT

EARLY CONSTRUCTION NATIONAL PARTY POLICY 1 AUSTRALIA-HAREWOOD SERVICE PA WELLINGTON, May 13. Early construction of the Rongotai airport and the establishment of a modern air service between Australia and the South Island are two developments that''are to be implemented by the National Party if it becomes the Government at the general election this year. These decisions of the caucus of members of the Parliamentary National Party held to-day were announced to-night by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland. He added that an airport of international standard would be established at Harewood. The service between Australia and the South Island would be in addition to the existing air services between Australia and Auckland. Reviewing the work of the caucus, Mr Holland said it was essentially a working caucus for the consideration of reports and interim reports from committees previously set up to investigate special questions. Several members reported on their speaking and factory inspection tours. Plans were made for further tours before the opening of the session of Parliament. Housing Policy Draft proposals on future housing policy, both rental and purchase, were presented by the party’s Housing Committee. An interim report was also submitted on a type of prefabricated house specially for the rural area. The primary production committee reported on plans to increase production in ■ town and country and for bringing large areas of waste land, including Maori land at present unoccupied, into production. The party was determined to place in the very forefront of its election campaign the light against the twin evils of Communism and Socialism Communism would be declared a subversive activity and Communists would be debarred from holding office in industrial unions or Government posts. The party would resist any further encroachment on the legitimate preserves of private traders, and to restore harmony in the industry it had been decided to introduce an effective and independently supervised secret ballot in elections for unionj officials and on strike issues. Hospital Administration . Mr Holland said the Caucus Health Committee presented a report on hospital administration. The caucus resolved to resist any further centralisation of hospital services or any reduction in the local control of hospital administration. The committee also reported on the urgent need of ' a thorough overhaul of the Health Department with a view to vastly improving its service to the public. The committee was instructed to continue inquiries and report to the next ‘ caucus. ! The Finance Committee reported on “the failure of the last £29,000,000 conversion loan” and the steps required to be taken to recover the confidence of the investing public. • . Mr W. Sullivan (Bay of Plenty) and Mr J. A. McL. Roy (Clutha) reported on their recent tour of Britain, Germany, and India, and an interim report was received from Mr T. C. Webb (Rodney) who is at present in Ottawa for the meeting of the council of the. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Mr Holland reported on his visit to Australia.