THE COUNTRY PARTY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2814, 26 July 1927, Page 2

THE COUNTRY PARTY

ITS POLITICAL PLATFORM. “ECONOMY WITH EFFICIENCY.’’ The New Zealand Country Party has issued the following political plat form: — The Imperial Connection. That the aim of this party shall be to, at all times, abolish any and all existing barriers and prevent the erection of fresh barriers between the Dominion of New Zealand and Britain, without infringing upon right of selfgovernment of the Dominion. That to the above end Imperial Free Trade and the institution of an Imperial currency shall be aimed at, with practical recognition of all Imperial obligations.

Land. That the bringing of all land under Land Transfer title be expedited. That holding of any land in town or country for speculative purposes be discouraged. That pending readjustment of economic conditions to allow of* resumption of settlement, genuine experiments on a satisfactory scale shall be tried out in various districts to test the economic possibilities of land improvement under the Group System. That all unused Maori land required for settlement be bought by the State at valuation, and a Maori pensions fund instituted out of the proceeds to adequately recompense those concerned. That a vigorous land settlement policy be pursued as soon as a reduction of the existing high costs of production wi.il permit.

Immigration. That when economic conditions warrant, a. vigorous policy be instituted to induce well-selected immigrants from Great Britain to settle on the land in New Zealand, and that full advantage be taken of the Imperial Immigration

scheme. Roading. That all main highways, be made and maintained out of national funds. Local rates to be devoted to feeder roads.

Agricultural Bank. That in addition to the ‘State Advances Department, a properly constituted Agricultural Bank be established so that an adequate amount of capital may be available for primary producers at the lowest rate of interest.

Political. That to ensure that each member oi. Parliament shall havc-been elected by a majority of votes, the elections shall be conducted under the preferential system. That the Upper House shall be elected as provided for by the law now on the Statute Book. That in all questions such as the Prohibition question, involving more than two issues, submitted to a national referendum, the voting shall be on the preferential system. Education. That a review of the present system be taken in hand. 1. Considering the economic aspect in view of returns. 2. Extension of vocational training and the extent to which it can be adapted to replace items in the present curriculum. 3. That secondary education shall be afforded free to children fully capable of benefiting thereby. 4. That this league endorses the inculcation of moral precepts in teaching children, and knows no bcttoi source than the Bible.

Taxation. That all customs duties of a protective nature be gradually reduced so as to cease altogether in ten years, any assistance ' to industries to be in the form of subsidies. That an endeavour be made by freeing British goods ultimately from all taxation to build up Umpire trade with a view to Imperial reciprocity and the demolition of all inter-imperial barriers to trade and amity. That the railway tariff be not used for protective purposes. 'That revenue be raised on certain forms of luxury by import duties when applicable. That the principle of income taxation of the individual be developed as the fairest-method of taxation.

That the divided profits of firms and companies should, for income tax pur poses, be included in the incomes of the individuals receiving same, and that the present company tax be repealed.

That in the levying of income tax preference be given to income derived from investments in rural securities. That death duties on inherited essates of over £25,000 shall be on an increased sliding scale, with a view to rendering the continued inheritance of estates from generation to generation less probable. Public Expenditure. That a close and constant vigilance be maintained over all public expenditure so as to keep it as low as possible, consistent with efficiency, to ensure a reduction of taxation to a reasonable level.

Defence. That New Zealand .shall pay its ful share of expenditure on Imperial Nava Defence.

J That the territorial system be maiu- ( tained as a disciplinary measure and be supplemented by physical training of youths. That the League of Nations be supported. That in the event of war involving New Zealand, mobilisation shall extend not only to human life but to all resources, all business being run for the nation. Health. That properly equipped and staffed hospitals shall be provided wherever necessary in country districts. That those shall be supplemented by maternity nurses and homos in outlying districts, and that all hospitals rendered unnecessary by improved transport facilities shall be abolished. That investigation of this matter be made by a competent committee of men not in public employment. National Economy. That the principle shall be recognised that industries which provide a national credit are more essential than those which result in national debit, and that no legislation shall be imposed which hampers profitable national industry for more than temporary benefit to industries living on tariffs.

That the revival of trade and industry shall be sought by removal of taxation burdens, the reduction of cost of living and free, intercourse with the other nations of the British Empire.

That the prosperity of all classes be sought by an increase of effective wages through greater all-rouftd production.

That endeavour be made to bring down cost of many by (a) the purchase of the Bank of New Zealand at a price recognitive of the advantages that institution has received from the State; (b) by the intimate relationship of our banking system with that of Britain and by the recognition of British currency in this Dominion, abolishing exchange with Great Britain. Arbitration Court. That the moral and equitable right of primary producers to be represented on all Courts making awards which fall on primary products shall be recognised. 1 Government Departments. That enquiry be , made as to the great increase in number of Civil Servants. That there shall be a thorough overhaul with a reduction of work to a necessary minimum and an adjustment of staffs to the reduced work. That the principle of payment by results be introduced wherever possible. Encouraging Business and Manufacture. That it be incumbent on all seeking Government assistance to show that increased production at lower costs will result from such assistance, and that assistance shall be for a definite period only. Voting. That the present inequalities in voting powers of rural and town dwellers in Electric Power Boards and certain Hospital Board elections shall bo adjusted. Rating. That the incidence of local body rating be fully enquired into, with a view to its more equitable application. Public Wo'rks. 1 That only public works likely to induce increased production shall be undertaken. Employment. That in periods when men are out of work in large numbers through no fault of their own, the programme of work on roads and railways shall be speeded up, and works which will lead to increase of national production shall be undertaken, but no work provided simply for the sake of making employment shall be put in hand until all essential and necessary works of the Dominion are completed. That by encouragement of the primary industries and of all nationally profitable industries, avenues of employment shall be sought. That an endeavour shall be made to discover the economic basic wage and that any encouragement to marriage, such as that contended to be extended at present, shall be only to those marrying. Forestry. That forestry operations shall be speeded up, but only on land acknowledged by the Agricultural Department to be useless for farming purposes, and in districts where the products when grown shall be economically transferable to market.