POLICY OFFERED

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1935, Page 9

POLICY OFFERED

21 POINTS INCLUDED SUBMISSION TO PEOPLE STABILITY OF FINANCES EXCHANGE MAINTENANCE MANY SCHEMES IN VIEW By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The policy which the National Government places before the electors is outlined in the leaders’ manifesto under 21 headings. They are:— (1) Budgetary stability will be preserved. Increases in taxation must be avoided by refraining from extravagant expenditure. (2) As economic and financial conditions continue to improve the rates of taxation will be reduced. . (3) Wage and salary cuts in the public service will be restored and pensions improved as soon as national finances permit. . . ... . 2 (4) The Government s aim will be to promote the continuance of a cheap credit policy. (5) Unless there is a marked change in conditions the Government and the Reserve Bank will co-operate in maintaining the stability of exchange. This will help to sustain production and the national income.

(6) During the 1933 session company law in New Zealand was very substantially improved. In 1934 the Companies Promotion Commission made a very full inquiry into bond-issuing companies, investment trusts and the organisation of stock exchanges. It is proposed to introduce measures giving greater protection to investors while avoiding undue restrictions on legitimate company promotion. (7) A scheme of compulsory national superannuation covering pensions for old age, sickness, invalidity, widows and orphans has already been investigated. As soon as financial conditions permit the scheme will be established. HEALTH INSURANCE. (8) Investigations into national health insurance have also been made. These will be carried further and a scheme will be introduced as soon as financial conditions permit. • (9) A national housing scheme will be introduced, involving co-operation between State local authorities and private enterprise. Most careful expert inquiry and full discussion will take place before the scheme is launched. An Act providing for a housing survey has already been passed. (10) The Government has plans well under way for the free distribution of milk to school children and an experimental scheme is already x operating in connection with Auckland schools. The general policy of the Government is that no person, young or old, shall go short of food. (11) With a return to improved and more settled economic conditions it is proposed to have a general examination of New Zealand labour laws with the object of increasing the scope of employment and maintaining, and where possible, increasing the standard of workers. (12) As a result of the decisions at Geneva inquiries are being conducted in every country into the question of shorter hours, and early next year a conference of employers, employees and other qualified persons will be called to investigate the whole problem from the point of view of unemployment, efficiency and standards of life. (13) The Apprenticeship Act will he revised with the object of safeguarding more the interests of the boy. LIBRARY SYSTEM. (14) A scheme for the reorganisation of the library system throughout the Dominion and in particular its extension to rural areas is already under Course of preparation. This will be linked up with the school library system and the university system of adult education. (15) At present the Director of Education is investigating educational conditions in theJUnited Kingdom and other countries. Our educational system will be revised and improved in the light of New Zealand conditions and advanced practice abroad. (16) With the object of substantially reducing unemployment and promoting industrial development steps have already been taken in the directions of: (a) Carefully planning public works for several years ahead. The policy • is to encourage men to go on full standard rates of pay to where the most useful developmental work can be found. Public works will be expanded, ■ and a plan has been . prepared for a long-range programme covering the next five years. The public works policy is being co-ordinated with the unemployment policy and works have been selected on the basis of direct ’ financial return and indirect financial or social benefit. (b) Providing a basis for co-operation between the Government and groups representing .private enterprise for the development of industry. This is already being investigated and important schemes are actually under construction at the moment. (c) Conduct of soil, mineral oil and regional surveys with the object of obtaining full knowledge of the developmental possibilities of every region in New Zealand. This work has already been commenced in Hawkes Bay, North Auckland and Waikato. ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY. (17) Assistance will be given where our industries are of proved efficiency. While expecting industries to assist themselves by reorganisation and coordination, we will facilitate such voluntary action by legislation wherever necessary. (18) Negotiations have already been completed leading to the early establishment of air services to Australia with Imperial Airways and to the United States with Pan-American Airways. Within New Zealand the necessary provision for efficient air services is being pushed ahead by the establishment of aerodromes, landing grounds, beacons and other facilities. This will facilitate communications and inevitably lead to much closer economic, political and financial relations with the rest of the world. (19) It is the policy of the Government to facilitate voluntary settlements under the mortgage adjustment legislation. The necessary administrative steps have been taken to ensure reasonable and sympathetic consideration by the State lending departments of the position of State mortgagors whose liabilities are in need of adjustment. » (20) The Government through ' the Executive Commission of Agriculture end in other ways will direct its attention to the improvement and development of markets, improvement in the quality of New Zealand products and improvement in organisation.

(21) The policy of close and cordial cooperation with the United Kingdom in all matters affecting the Empire will be continued. The Government affirms its

support to the League of Nations and its principles in furtherance of world peace. The Government will play its part in close co-operation with Great Britain and other parts of the Empire in the matter of defence. The Government has a record of achievement in overcoming the worst depression in history. Past difficulties have been surrnounted-by clear-sighted recognition of the factors impeding the way to progress. For its past record and because of a progressive policy now placed before the country the Government can with confidence ask the electors of New Zealand to return “a National Government for the national .good.”