LABOUR POLICY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18974, 26 March 1936, Page 6

LABOUR POLICY

OUTLINE IN HOUSE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE VARIED LEGISLATION EXPANSION OF INDUSTRY .AIDS TO EMPLOYMENT (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this-day, •'Parliament lias on this occasion been summoned earlier than usual in order to enable the Government to lay before von legislative provisions designed to apply, as soon as possible, the principles upon which it was elected." stated the speech of the Governor-General, Viscount Galway. at the opening of Parliament i his afternoon. ••It is the belief of the Ministers that the measures (hat they will lay before yon will lead to an early and material improvement in the well-being of all. and particularly of those upon whom the effects of flic depression have fallen with greater severity. In applying their policy, however! it is the intention of the Ministers to ensure that no injustice is done to any section of the community. "The Ministers regard the question of unemployment as one of pressing urgency.' and they have already taken what Immediate steps were possible to allevial'e the position of the more unfortunate of the people. They intend, under the direct control of the .Minister of Labour, to attack this problem, ami in the first place they propose, not only to extend the public works system of 'the Dominion, but also to facilitate the provision of employment by the expansion of existing industries and the encouragement of new industries. WAGES AND llOt'llS "|,',, r this purpose. Ministers have associated with themselves n bureau ol industry competent to advise in the consideration of proposals for new industrial projects that involve Slate assistance, and this bureau will also advise Ministers in connection with plans for.the coordination, increased efficiency, ami development of existing industries. "Measures for the stabilisation of the wheat-growing, flour-milling and breadbaking industries already have been adopi,,,|. and the Government has also fixed I he' wholesale and retail price of motor spirits in the Wellington city and surhurlitin area. These measures, it is anticipated, will result in an improv 'lit of conditions for the employers, the cmplovees. and the consumers. "'|| is also proposed to lay before you legislation designed to ameliorate the working conditions of the people by the establishment of increased wages ill ill dustry and shorter working hours. Amendment* '" ""' Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, will also (,(, introduced with a view to restoring the right to refer industrial disputes automatically to the Court of Arbitration in l| u . event of failure to arrive at a settlement in Conciliation Council, and an amendment is proposed to the Workers' Compensation Act, 1922. "As ;i further step it has been arranged for the Dominion to be represented' at the International Labour Conference to be held at Geneva, next June. GUARANTEED HiICKS "Tin- Government fully recognises the value u f the application of scientific principle.-; to industry, both primary ami secondary, and is giving special attention to the closer co-ordination ol Unscientific service.:, at present available in the Dominion. "As one step in the co-ordinated pi"" to restore the standard of living of farmers and cgricultiU'al workers, legislation will be introduced to inaugurate a system of guaranteed prices for the farm products of the Dominion which will ensure U reasonable reward for the time, energy, skill, and experience involved, and'at the same time steps will be taken to adjust farm indebtedness in relation to the total farm income. j\rrangements will also be made to market the primary products of the Dominion m the simplest and most efficient manner possible. "Li is intended to introduce legislation to ensure for the Stale the control i the currency and credit of New Zealand, so that' the social and economic welfare of the Dominion will b& pro muted and maintained. "The Government hopes to improve tho markets for the primary products oi tlie Dominion by the negotiation of COinpletu reciprocal' trade agreements with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and with other Governments ol th« British Commonwealth.

"Ministers are devoting careful iitiontion to the question of laud settlement and to tin- revision of the land laws" of the Dominion, and legislation in this connection will be laid before you in due course. The position of those Crown tenants who are at present meeting with difficulty is also being reviewed. TRANSPORT COORDINATION

"in view of the fundamental importance to Hie welfare of Hie Dominion of an efficient transport system, the wiioie pro'ileni of the administration, operation., and control of all forms of transport, is at present being investigated, and amendments to the legislation in this connection will be laid before? ' you for your consideration: The Government is also determined to raise the standard of safety on the roads. ' •■ • "It is 1 tie intention of the' Government to place the control -of transport directly under a responsible Minister, and similar action is proposed with respect to the railways. "Prior to the introduction of the necessary legislation, Ministers have already undertaken detailed inquiries with reference to defence pensions, local government housing, national health insurance, dental hygiene, the health of the Maori, the earring? of mails by air. and the protection of tjritish shipping. "In particular, a survey of the education system will be undertaken. The readmi'ssion to the schools of children or five years of age has already been arranged for ami the training eollegies it Wellington and Dnnedin have been leopened. it is- intended to lake sneh steps as are stilt necessary to place a liberal and adequate education within (he reach of all the young people of the Dominion in the country, as well as in the cities.

"I trust that yon may be guided by Divine providence in your consideration of these matters for the well-being and happiness of the people of this Do minion.