POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 15, 2 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

PROGRAMME ADOPTED. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, September 1. The following short platform has been adopted by the Canterbury Political Reform League;— 1. Fiancial reform.—(a) That departmental administration ho placed on an economical and efficient basis; (b) that no further loans shall bo raised except for railway construction, State guaranteed advances to settlers, workers and local bodies, and for tho redemption of existing loans. 2. Land reform.—(a) That a vigorous land settlement policy he adopted, particularly with regard to native and ordinary Crown lands; (b) that tho system of settling rural lands in fu- & time shall be both by leasehold (not exceeding fifty-one years) and freehold, such leaseholders to have tho option of conversion at any time at tho capitalised value of o per cent. ; in tho settlement of all lands tho “homo maintenance” area shall ho tho limitation ; (c) that tenants of Crown lands on lease in perpetuity he allowed to purchase the freehold on equitable terms; (d) that the proceeds of tho sale of all Crown lands shall ho kept apart from ordinary revenue, and held at tho disposal of the Laud Purchase Board, and he used for tho purpose of further settlement. .‘3. Public service reform.—That appointments to the public service be vested in a non-political hoard. 4. Local government reform.—That tho functions of local authorities bo enlarged and extended, with the object of enabling them to finance and carry out. development works without tho assistance of Parliamentary grants. o. Legislative reform.—That the Upper House shall he elective. 6. Social and industrial reform.— (a) That a commission he appointed to enquire into the results of compulsory arbitration in the Dominion! (b) that tho scope of the National Provident Fund Act he widened, with tho object of providing insurance of workers against non-employment, invalidity, and sickness.