Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1936. LABOUR'S PROGRAMME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1936. LABOUR'S PROGRAMME

Contrary to expectations in many quarters, the Speech from the Throne at yesterday's official opening of Parliament did not vary in nay material form from that of preceding Governments ami did nothing to dissipate the atmosphere of .secrecy that has persistently surrounded the Government's legislative intentions. Except that it was considerably more modest in it* aspirations, the programme outlined differed very little*, from the Labour Party's election manifesto, and went no further towards enlightening the public as to the moans to be adopted for enrrying out the various plans. Instead of following the policy of "keeping the people informed at every .stage," the Government has found it more expedient to adhere to (he old-fashioned method of disclosing its policy only when the appropriate measures are introduced. This system has much to commend it, because it enables attention to be focussed on each question as it is presented, in-.-tead of the Government being confronted with criticism from many different angles at. the one time; but if it is to be a success, there are two necessary conditions which must be observed. The first is that neither the Government nor the public can afford to disregard the fact that many ot the measures to be advanced must largely be dependent upon the financial policy, and the. second is that tin presentation of any bill should uol be regarded as the final stage but merely a prelude to dispassionate eon si'deratioa of its proposals by Parliament as a whole. It is undoubtedly true that the Government has been returned with u inundate from the people, but that does not relieve it of the responsibility of hearing every side of every question and giving due consideration to the opinions of the minority. That this point is realised is evident from an early passage in Ihe Governor-Genernl's speech where il is slated that, while it is believed thai the Government's programme will lend to an improvement in the well-

being of all, it is intended to ensure

that, no injustice is done to any section of the community. As to the programme itself, there is little that can be s:ii'i, for *o far it. is entirely de-

void of the nil-important foundation I he financial policy. The Government is definitely pledged not to increase laxniion, nnd this means that its scope must be regulated by Ihe extent to which income on the present basis increases or expenditure is curtailed or reallocated. The amount that it will have available, therefore. is subject to certain defined limits and it will have to cut its cloth nc-

eordingly. Til ere is, of course, the all.ernai.ive of borrowing for such objects as public works, but tiny reference io litis is significantly absent from the Governor-General's Speech. The intention of tho. Government to assume control of credit and currency is restated, but the procedure remains' undefined, and, in any ease, the credit of the country, as of the individual, must "ultimately depend upon the success with which it is aide ta conduct its. business; and since most of New Zealand's business is done overseas il seems probable that world conditions will continue to dominate the finan* cial position of the Dominion. The Government's attempts lo deal with the pressing problem of unemployment will have the sympathy of every section of the community, and the decision to embark upon a more extensive programme of public works will have general approval, although it will be recognised, of course, that there are limits to the economic, scope for activity in this direction. Any practical plans for assisting industry will also bo suported, and it is probable that efforts in this connection will lie more successful than any direct action taken by the State itself. It is not too early to remind the Government, however, that industrial development will largely lie governed by the degree of confidence that it is able to create, by relief from burdensome taxation, and by the removal of harassing restrict ions to trade. The chief interest of the session, perhaps, will centre around the scheme for guaranteed prices for farm products, which has been described as the "best secret that has ever been kept." In view of the fur-reaching effects of legislation towards this end the Government's proposals will he awaited with keen interest, .and, because of the many issues involved, there will be not a little anxiety to learn just how far it is intended to go in the direction of nationalising the primary in dtistries of the Dominion. As will ihe other measures proposed, however it will be necessary to reserve com merit until tho details are disclosed Judging by the contents of die Speed front the. Throne, the Government ha.not formed very ambitious plans foi its first session and is content to least

most of its major policy measure; until they have been given furthei consideration. If is clear, nevcrthe less, that the session will be anything but devoid of interest, and even though the radical changes of which notice has been given may be relative ly few they will certainly be sufficient to focus public attention on the wo id of Parliament during the next few weeks.