REFORM PROGRAMME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 235, 7 November 1914, Page 12

REFORM PROGRAMME.

VIGOROUS POLICY. SETTLEMENT OF THE LAUD. FINANCE & HEALTH PROVISIONS. FOSTERING THE INDUSTRIES. Press Axfiociation. WELLINGTON, November 6. The Prime Minister has issued the following manifesto containing the Reform Party's platform: — I—The1 —The aim of the Reform Party is that New Zealand shall worthily sustain its share in the responsibility and obligations of the Empire. LOCAL AND IMPERIAL DEFENCE. 2 (a) —A vigorous perseverance with the system of national' training for defence, by which New Zealand's young manhood may become citizens fitted for the safeguarding of the people's hearths and homes and for helping the Empire in time of need. (b) —A naval policy by which New Zealand will train personnel, and gradually develop this Dominion's interests in an Imperial Navy, which will adequately protect the Empire as a whole, maintain the supremacy of the British flag in the Pacific, and render safe the trade routes so essential to the continuance and prosperity of the Empire. SAFE FINANCE. 3 —Continuation of the policy which has already placed the finances of New Zealand, especially as regards tlie_ State Advances Department and the Public Works, on a much more satisfactory basis than was the case when the present Government took office. LAND FOR USE. 4—Land for the people and people for the land. (a) —Maintenance of the freehold principle, which encourages owners to improve their property, increasing the yield, while maintaining the land in "good heart." (b) —Development of a sturdy selfreliant yeomanry by special attention to the bona fide settlement of small areas of good land. (c) —Promoting the subdivision of large estates which are suitable • for close settlement by an automatic increase of the graduated tax. This policy will be exercised with a just and sane discrimination between land which is improved and improvable land which is kept in an unimproved condition. It is also necessary to have fair discrimination between land which is fit for agricultural and dairying purposes and comparatively poor pastoralj lands which cannot be profitably occupied in small areas. The basis of this policy is the taxation of any large landholder's inertia or indifference to New Zealand's needs. (d) —Facilitating settlement by an energetic, well-planned programme of roads and railways. Suitable land which may be improved by public works will be acquired in advance of settlement when such procedure is practicable. (e) —Continuance of the new system by which the revenue from the State's land transactions will be used to promote further settlement. (f) —Establishment of Agricultural and Land Banks to minimise the financial anxieties of settlers, and to enable them to hasten the development of their land for the profit of themselves and the whole community. (g)—Encouragement and improvement of agricultural education for individual and national benefit. (h) —An extension of the system by which the aid of tho State's expert officers is available for various industries. (i) —A proper use of Native lands for the advantage of both races. (j) Provision of a better form of appeal in the case of disputes as to valuations of laud by officers of the State. CHECKING THE DRIFT TO THE TOWNS. s—Bys—By giving better access to the backblocks and by other facilities, the Reform policy will assure a proper balance of population between urban and rural areas. Roading is to be vigorously prosecuted, especially in places where settlement has gone ahead of roading. NECESSARY IMMIG RATION. 6—The new policy initiated by the present Government, of bringing boys to New Zealand, experienced in country work, and apprenticing them, under complete protection as to their wages and comfort, to farmers, will be prosecuted. The supply of domestic helpers has been considerably increased since the Government took office, but still falls much below the demand. Methods have been devised to provide larger numbers of immigrants of this class. BETTER TRADE AND INDUSTRIES. 7. (a) —As a valuable aid to securing the best possible return from the exports, the Government, has decided to establish a Board of Trade and Commerce, which will keep in close touch with the world's markets and note the movements of trade. One important function of the Board will be to watch the shipping factor in regard to inward and outward freights. (b) —One feature of the Reform Government's Imperial Policy Bill will be in granting additional preference, where necessary, to British manufacturers, and in making reciprocal arrangements with other members of the Imperial family. j STRENGTHENING LOCAfi INDUSTRIES. B—Those8 —Those manufacturing industries for which the natural conditions are favourable in this country will be encouraged. IRON AND OIL. 9 —The policy of promoting the welfaie of mining by direct and indirect assistance is to include iron and oil, which have, with coal, a special national importance. The Government has plans to extend the usefulness of the Geological Survey to all present and prospective mining enterprises. WEALTH FROM THE FISHERIES. 10—The Reform Government has given special attention to a development of the food fisheries for local and overseas markets. This very valuable industry will be fostered in accordance with the recommendations of Professor Prince, Canada s well-known expert. The Government has under consideration a scheme by which advances may be made to deserving, reliable men for the purchase of boats, with a system of insurance at reasonable rates. It is also proposed to remove the Customs duties on nets and other gear pertaining to the industry, and to endeavour to bring J about the removal by the Commonwealth J of Australia of the import duties upon

New Zealand fish. The State will thus be | enabled to assist the fishing industry in | the same beneficial manner as in the past it has assisted the settlers and workers. FROM DESERT TO PASTURE AND ORCHARD. 11—Xew Zealand has some large areas of dry country, particularly in Central Otago*. merely' awaiting water to make j them fertile. The Reform Government j has already passed legislation providing j for State advances to facilitate the iiligation process, and this important transformation will be promoted by all reasonable means. The Reform Administration is also going ahead with its policy, embodied in a Statute of last year, to bring into cultivation as pastures (sown j with suitable grasses) or orchards exten-. sive areas of gum-lands in the Auckland province. Additional encouragement is being given to the fruit industiy by a bonus on exports. TIMBER FOR THE FUTURE. 12.—The Reform policy includes afforestation, to ensure adequate supplies of timber for the future and the prevention of indiscriminate destruction of forests. GUARDING THE PEOPLE'S HEALTH. If}. —The Reform Government has been steadily improving and protecting the public health. The inspection of dairy herds is now more effective, and this activity will be continued. The main lines of the general policy are: — (a) —Checking tubercular trouble at the source; (b) —Encouraging and helping local authorities in the campaign against tuberculosis; (c) Courageous administration of the Pure Foods Act; (d) —Medical inspection and physical training of school children; ( e ) —Extension of the maternity homes system, and special training of nurses in the treatment of iufauts. PENSIONS REFORM. 14. —During the past two years the Government has fully redeemed the pledges which it made in regard to increased benefits under the various pensions schemes. Pensions to women at sixty instead of sixty-five, pensions of £36 per annum to military veterans, pensions for every child under fourteen years of age whose mother is a widow, pensions to women whose husbands are inmates of mental hospitals, pensions to women who are widows and who were previously disqualified by reason of the fact that their late husbands were aliens—all these reforms have already been effected. As soon as circumstances permit, it is proposed to remove the penalty upon thrift which is at present inflicted upon the applicant who is disqualified by reason of his possessing a home beyond a certain value. Another important feature is that of providing pensions for the physically infirm. This will require to be done as soon as the necessary funds are available. EDUCATION FOR SOUND CITIZENSHIP. 15 —(a) This year's Education Act brought the greatest reforms since the national system was institufed, and the good work will be continued till the smooth co-ordination of the primarv,

secondary, and university departments is complete. The whole system is free of fee now for any pupil of fair ability and perseverance. (b) —The Reform Government's encouragement of university work, for better national efficiency, includes provision for research in matters helpful | to local industries. I (c) —The system of technical education will be developed, and made more effective in its relation to the primary ! and secondary industries. j ADVANTAGES FOR WORKERS. j 1t> —(I) The right to work. The Reform policy for land and secondary in- j dustries ensures work for all willing 1 hands and willing minds. The provision i for encouraging various industries, agricultural and pastoral, fruit-farming.! mining, fisheries, and others, will in crease the national wages fund and therefore directly benefit all workers. (2)— The cost of living is to be reduced by (a) —The erection of workers' dwellings by the Government; > (b) —State advances to workers for i building purposes; (c) —Advances to counties and boroughs, etc., to enable them to purchase the necessary land and erect workers' homes; (d) —Reduction of Customs duties on certain articles in common use; (e) —By extending the scope of the Commercial Trusts Act to facilitate proceedings against monopolies which attempt an improper exploitation of the public. (.'!) —The right to insurance. Preparations are being made with a sound plan to insure workers against sickness and unemployment. This policy will be on lines which will not clash with the good work of friendly societies. (4) —Subvention for friendly societies. As soon as the finances permit, it is the intention of the Government to again submit for the consideration of friendly societies a scheme of national subvention, thus according the societies a measure of recognition by the State of the magnificent national work which they are carrying on. (5) —A remedy for waste of labour. One of the safeguards against involuntary idleness will be in an amended system of labour exchanges to enable employers and workers throughout the country to reach each other more easily for mutual advantage. FOR BETTER LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 17—The legislative programme includes a system to improve the relations between the General Government, which acts for the whole public of New Zealand, and local bodies, which act for particular sections of the public. Allied with this reform will be the abolition of the present system of Parliamentary grants. A Bill for this purpose was introduced during the past session, but the pressure of other business necessitated a postponement of this measure. RAILWAYS AND ROADS. 18 (a) —It is proposed to thoroughly overhaul the existing fares and rates, with a view to reducing the cost of travelling, especially to children of tender age, and to reajust the various admitted anomalies in goods freights,

umong which m:iy !•.'.' :i; ■: ' :<";o,l fre:« on hardwood and ii-]''» ! <<'■[ timteß otc Lon,!f-(li>it;ni('C trains will be ifl furtJuu- speeded-up withoin causing J duo iufoiivciiiencc' to w-.';. - s:.li i ;w

gCI'S. (b) —While progressing v.iih t lie if tioual policy of r.iilw.i. . ojistraAij the Government will cm :<.irnge a q®| of self help in district ~ v. in<-ii arewiffl ing to carry the liabin;/ i'or u'erewj incut lines. (c) —This policy v/iit !> • by active attention >■> r.jU'is/ffJ™: ing the railways. (<i)—The general rai : ■■■■ avs is to be improve.! in .■■■ordanee the general manag' . - tions. This prugiv-~i ve polic} " mean a saving ui • JJiouf). a J® temper for the pub.. • and w ;" a : enable the Uovcru.i . •=: to recognise fairly lie -t.-rviros oi whole staff. ; (e) —Improvement , ; suburban r way services to e.:-' Uu' cities, and as an a:-. c vation of sniail ar. TOWN N NINO. 19—The prov: >• if" P hl J embodied in the <• fit buu'riii" , ;■ . \ ( 't Will I ainenuments o. - ■■■'•■ 1 ' „. r systematically u> ; .. I. if nCl ' , it •will be extend.' OITOiriTXT: 1 : ,iK E - N ' EBS j —Tin. -«" Ira ;i; just rnus.' for ■„ ' .."""J, "j 111 : or denial oi v ■ / , , tf 0.1 > • . " . /oahui^ :in tno hisiorv < - v f :t he lield for "a workers sons .n • "\ u . the private pro" rsr! or in trade or ■ •; • fl)ri i, and these avci:;. " broadened. „, f ■ , ril!.'\ATli NO STAtiNAT!' -' <:> 1IU " , .11 nil " ■■•iiillOllt I 1"" . In? ivei.». ■ , ir ai , lis to treat tin; ■ sil>le as the pa;.' • " 1 , a irea j effects of the r.. visible. The iatolfis to strengthen ; ■ ■; r ),; 5 usef I enterprises, liiu- " I uess as a New '• •r ;-: ::. AN. • „ rOlilll' olls6 The Reform ■ - , prinrif Government, by ' M '""u-ealt-b, 1 of public lion it i:. ; uoo ,l ti® national safer.. ■ good wages, an.! ■ •;