NATIONAL POLICY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19550, 4 February 1938, Page 4

NATIONAL POLICY

MAIN POINTS OUTLINED MR. HAMILTON’S REVIEW ECONOMIC FREEDOM RESTORE FARMERS’ RIGHTS (Special to the Herald.) TAIHAPE, this day. Some of the main planks in the National Party’s policy were outlined by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, at a meeting in Taihape last night. The meeting was one of the largest held here for many years,

The party, he said, stood for the right of economic freedom, restoration to the farmer of the right to manage his own affairs, encouragement of new industries, closer land settlement and subdivision, the pyeservdtion of the purchasing power of wages in relation to living costs, an efficient defence system, the removal of dictatorial powers in control of transport, the freedom of justice from political interference, the Reserve Bank to be separated from politics or commercial profit, to leave as much spending power as possible in the hands of,the people, and to set up a Ministry of Social Welfare. •

*T am surprised to know,” Mr. Hamilton said, “how many New Zealanders are dependent on a secondary industry which needs protection and which can be protected without detriment to the export market.” He stressed the need for a strongly defended British Empire as the best

security in the interests of peace, saying that there was a big difference between arming for aggression and arming to keep peace. The main planks of the party’s policy were outlined as follows: —

Empire Reciprocity,,—“We stand for the closest possible co-operation with Great Britain, who will always be our best customer and whose interests are inseparable from our own.

Private Enterprise.—“We stand for private enterprise and for the freehold ownership of land, and will encourage by every means in our power, thrift, enterprise, 'initiation and industry amongst the people. We stand for the small trader, the small farmer and the small shop-keeper, and their right to economic freedom. “We strenuously oppose Socialism and the accompanying regimentation of our people. We also oppose monopolistic ownership and contrpl of industry and trade by the State. The. Farmer “Primary production is the foundation industry of New Zealand and is entitled to a standard of reward comparable with other industries. “As the farmer labours under an economic disadvantage in that he has to accept world market prices for his produce but has to meet ■ internal costs, we will give effect to such measures as will ensure that:—■ “a. Farmers are able to pay competitive rates of wages. “b. Are assured of reasonable interest on capital invested in farms and stock. “c. Increased cost imposed by legislation, including tariffs, can be met. “d. They are ensured a remuneration commensurate with the service they render, comparable with that obtained by other members of the community who render equal service. “The above will be accomplished by a lowering of costs or by a compensatory payment for farm produce, or a combination of both. “We will restore to the farmer the right to manage his own affairs, including the marketing of his own produce. Industries “We will bring about the closest c<v operation between tire Government and the manufacturer. AH industries of a sound, economic value to the country will be afforded reasonable assistance and encouragement. “Prospective new industries capable of giving employment to our people will receive special encouragement from the State during the period of establishment, provided that investigation proves that such industries can be established on a sound, economic basis. Land Settlement “We believe that New Zealand’s interest will be best served by a large rural population settled on areas suitable for the particular class of farming. To this end, we would pursue a vigorous policy of closer settlement and further subdivision of classified areas. We would also adjust various costs and give financial assistance to bring about voluntary sub-division in order to provide farms for farmers’ sons, rural workers and other suitable applicants. Wages, Hours, and Conditions “We stand for the maintenance of conditions that will secure for wageearners the fullest employment at the highest wage rate that industry can afford, and also to preserve the purchasing power of wages in relation to the cost of living. “We believe that the powers granted to the Arbitration Court to award wage rates and conditions of employment should be free from political interference. “We stand for the impartial enforcement of the court’s awards and lecisions upon both parties. “We will undertake a complete overhaul of the existing law governng the employment of our ■ youth population so as to ensure their absorbtion into remunerative occupations on leaving school. Defence "While approving the ideals of the League of Nations, we regard a