LABOUR’S POLICY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 12

LABOUR’S POLICY.

DECISIONS OF RECENT CAUCUS. UNITED GOVERNMENT ATTACKED. By Telegraph—Pres* Association. WELLINGTON, February 20. The following statement, representlg decisions of the Labour Party’s aucus which has been sitting in Welngton during the past two days, has een handed to the Press by Mr H. E. Lolland, leader of the Labour Party:— “The outstanding features of the resent economic and political situa:on in New Zealand are the problems f finance and credit, land settlement nd utilization, unemployment and inustrlal depression, and the critical □nditions which have developed in onnection with our administration of he League of Nations mandate for Western Samoa. “On all these questions, the Labour »arty finds itself at variance with the olicy and administration of the preent Government. The Government, i its policy placed before the electors, pecifically promised that it would educe mortgage loan money rates, nd would provide the credit required or farmers and workers at 43 per ent., and whilst it has made more loney available than the previous government, yet it has signally failed o keep its promise. The fact that he high rates are still being charged y the Government for loans to farmrs, settlers, and workers, and that difLculties are now being placed in the fay of obtaining legitimate amounts rom the State Advances Offices, fol3wed by the Government’s offer of 5i ter cent, interest on its own gilt-edged ecurities, have all contributed to the iosition which has helped the private tanks to demand higher overdraft ates. The Reform Government’s ,ction, continued by the present Govimment, in reducing the amount irhich could be placed in the Post Office Savings Bank at interest, has ilso strengthened the control now >eing exercised by the private banks. “The Labour Party is of the opinion hat the industries, primary and econdary, and the commerce of the Dominion can only be fully developed >y a better organisation of credit under mblic control. “The powerful buying interests now >perating in and for overseas countries •ender it essential that the primary producer should be assisted to the full*st possible extent. The main market 'or our produce is Great Britain, and he policy of the British Labour Government is clear and definite. It is villing to co-operate with the Governnent and producers’ organisations for he purchase in bulk of the produce of ;he Dominions. The progress of the Dominion is dependent upon the full jse of the land to meet immediate requirements. “The Labour Party policy is:— “(1) The roading, preparation and settlement of all suitable unoccupied Drown lands. “(2) The bringing into use of all land held but not cultivated or developed. “(3) The encouragement of cultivation of native land. “(4) The sub-division of suitable large estates where necessary for closer settlement. “(5) Stimulation and extension of the activities of the Department of Agriculture. “(6) The revision of the incidence of land and income tax taxation to remove existing anomalies. “(7) The classification of lands for taxation purposes. “(8) Graduation of land taxation to relieve and encourage the smaller farmers. “The public should be fully informed on the prevalence of unemployment by the publication throughout the Dominion every week of a statement giving the number of unemployed who have registered at the offices of the Labour Department. The policy of the Labour Party to meet the present situation embodies the following proposal: ‘The employment of men under expert supervision for the purpose of preparing available Crown lands for settlement and cultivation; a vigorous road construction policy, special attention to be given to the clearing and metalling of roads in back country areas; the employment of additional men on railway works; more liberal subsidies to local bodies; the abolition of relief rates and conditions on public works. “The Labour Party’s policy is to stimulate and assist existing secondary industries, and to encourage the establishment of new industries which can be profitably developed in the interests of the Dominion. The Labour Party will also consider the raising of the school age, the lowering of the age limit for pensions, the shortening oi the hours of labour, and the minimising of overtime. “The Labour Party will set up ar Employment Board to organise employment, and will immediately create ar insurance fund to provide for the maintenance of workers for whom employment is not immediately available.

“The Labour Party repudiates and wholly dissociates itself from the present Government’s continuation of the Reform Government’s coercive policy in relation to Western Samoa, and particularly deplores the shooting during Christmas week of men innocent of any criminal act or intention. It takes the strongest exception to the naval and military invasion of the territory. “The Labour Party urges that a policy ort «onciliation be substituted for

that of coercion. The existing deportation orders should be cancelled, and the method of banishment, deprivation of titles, deportations, and other punishments without trial should be superseded by a judiciary system. Furthermore, the Samoans should be given an adequate voice in the Government of their own country. “The Labour Party finally urges an overhaul of the Samoan Civil Service, with the replacement of unsuitable officials by men with a knowledge of the psychology, historical conditions, and tribal customs of the Samoan race. The critical nature of the conditions which have been referred to, and others which are of almost equal concern, renders it imperative that Parliament should be called together forthwith.”