LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 208, 3 September 1943, Page 3

LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY

PRESENT AND POST-WAR PLANS NO SLUMPS IN NEW ZEALAND The great tasks that lie ahead of New Zealand call for vigorous and bold development of plans based on the principles of freedom, justice, and security, states the Labour Party’s manifesto for the General Election, Here is the Labour Government’s plan for the immediate present, and for the reconstruction period after the war: The Labour Government will continue with unflagging energy and purpose the prosecution of the war until victory is won. Labour reaffirms its pledge to re-establish in a secure and prosperous civil life all men and women, Maori and pakeha, who have served in the war or have been engaged in the war effort. Labour guarantees that whatever happens elsewhere in the world after the war, so long as we have resources and men, there will be no slumps for the people of New Zealand.

Achievements in War.— The Labour Party expresses its sincere admiration for and gratitude to our forces on land, sea. and in the air, in the Middle East, in Great Britain, in the Pacific Islands, in Canada, in the Dominion, and wherever stationed throughout the world for their devoted, effective, and courageous service for New Zealand, the British Commonwealth, and the United Nations. The Labour Government’s policy has been to provide the best of everything for our men and women in the Services. The standard of care, pay, and allowances is unsurpassed in the world. New Zealand, with its Labour Government, will continue to devote all its resources to achieve victory. New Zealand’s war effort has been the admiration of the world. Mr. Winston Churchill said: “Your country has played a great part. It has never put a foot wrong.” War Pensions. — The Labour Government guarantees to provide fully for the sick and wounded, and for the dependants of all those who gave their lives four our freedom. As well as providing fully for hospital, medical, and nursing treatment, and such medicines and appliances as may be necessary to restore their health, the Government has increased war pensions, in particular, the disablement pension from £2 to £3 a week, the economic pension from 30s to 35s a week. War widows qualified for war and economic pensions will receive £3 a week where there are no children, or £4 5s 6d with one child, together with an additional 10s 6d a week for each other child. Servicemen receiving either indoor or outdoor hospital attention receive full Army pay. Rehabilitation. -Labour pledges itself to re-establish in a secure and prosperous civil life all men and women, Maori and pakeha, who have served in the war or been engaged in the war effort. New Zealand’s rehabilitation scheme 4s well under way and its provisions lead the world. Early in the war the Government provided by law for the right of the soldier to return to his former job or employment no less favourable. Where preference is shown for some other avenue of employment everything possible is being done to meet the wishes of ex-servicemen. Provision has been made for the resumption of apprenticeships, training in trade schools and in the various branches of farming, the equipment of men who require tools of trade, the provision of educational facilities, including university courses, the acquisition of land for soldier settlement, the expansion of the Government’s housing programme to provide for the returning men, generous assistance for those desiring to purchase or build their own homes, interest-free loans for the purchase of furniture, and assistance in acquiring businesses. A rehabilitation allowance has been provided for those who cannot Immediately be fitted into permanent emnloyment. The problem of rehabilitation is interwoven with that, of reconstruction. • Labour therefore pledges itself to plan and develop those major schemes which will not only provide for the rehabilitation of the serviceman, but will increase the standard of living of our people and provide economic security for all. * Planned Production. -The Government is determined to promote the development and expansion of primary and secondary industries and to encourage co-operative productive enterprise. The principle of the guaranteed price has now become so firmly established as to require no emphasis. Labour will ensure to the farmer an adequate return for his product in all circumstances. Labour also undertakes to support co-operative projects by producers for processing, distributing, or marketing their produce. Labour will also assist the primary producer by the encouragement of the application of scientific research and the most modern technical bene- 1 fits. Labour’s policy of assisting to the ' maximum our secondary industries / has resulted in a magnificent contribu-' tion to the war effort. The Labour Government will continue vigorously to support and encourage secondary industries in the future as in the past, and wherever goods can be economically produced in this country facilities will be made available Tor their manufacture, thus providing most useful work for our returned servicemen and the thousands of young New Zealanders leaving our schools each year. Stabilisation. — The policy of the Labour Government is to* maintain the purchasing power of wages and incomes and to stabilise producers’ costs and prices. Prices must be controlled and already more than 200 items have been fixed in price. The Government has adopted the principle of stabilising the farmer’s prices as well as his costs. Agreements have been reached with the dairy industry and the Farmers’ Federation for the holding of farm costs. This policy of consultation and agreement with representative organisations will be maintained. Social Security.— Labour will maintain and extend social security until phase of home and family life, including sickness and old age, is guaranteed against poverty and insecurity. The New Zealand Labour Government was the first in the world to adopt a comprehensive social security scheme. Every year has shown substantial advances in the social security field, and as circumstances permit the Government will extend and expand social security. Finance.— Labour will continue the control of the Dominion's banking, credit, and currency system for the expansion of production, primary and secondary, and the prevention of inflation and deflation. The Reserve Bank acquired by the Labour Government has been exclusively operated for the public welfare. Labour holds that the State must be

the sole authority for controlling the issue of credit and currency. Labour’s housing programme and marketing undertakings have been advantageously and profitably financed by the Reserve Bank. Labour will use the Reserve Bank to prevent deflation or depression. Whilst ensuring control of banking, credit, and currency the Labour Government has always recognised the wisdom of keeping public expenditure within the bounds of public revenue. Although faced with unprecedented war expenditure the Government is determined to keep the overseas debt at the lowest possible figure. On March 31 last, apart from war debt, the overseas debt as compared with December, 1935, had been reduced by £11,412,000. Economic Security.— Labour undertakes to provide a minimum home and family income, including holidays with pay, and ensuring to all adequate food, clothing, housing, and medical care. The policy of ensuring full employment will be continued.

The principle of a minimum wage will be extended to ensure an adequate income for the family. The Government. undertakes to institute a scheme which will ensure to every mother such family income as to provide economic security for the whole family. Many thousands of workers at present receive holidays with pay, and this fair principle will be incorporated in the law so that all workers will enjoy this right. Health.— lt is the purpose of the Government to complete the free health service for all citizens, to establish health centres, to institute a free dental service and to organise all public health services for the prevention and cure of disease and the promotion of health. There will be no departure from Labour’s intention of establishing a universal medical service, including the specialist and consultant. The town and city areas will lend themselves to the development of group practice within clinics. Every encouragement will be given to the setting up of these clinics, where the best the world can provide in modern medicine, curative and preventive, will be av'dlable. It is intended to extend the dental service to the pre-school child and to the adolescent, and at the same time to train at the Dental School sufficient dentists to enable the establishment of a free dental service for the whole community within a few years. On the return of nurses from war service, and when suitable women can be trained, the Government will institute a home nursing and domestic aid service. Medical research activties and the work of promoting health will be maintained and extended. The milk-in-schools and apples-in-schools scheme will be continued and expanded. Education. — Labour is resolved to continue the expansion of educational facilities until every child is assured of the maximum opportunity in all sections of our education system. Labour’s policy has always been free education from the kindergarten to the ' University. Kindergartens or similar classes will be established in association with all schools, where the numbers warrant. Extension of school buildings on modern lines will be continued, facilities for manual and technical instruction will be further developed, and bursaries awarded to suitable students to enable them to undertake professional courses at the University. Recreation. — To encourage the wise use of leisure, Labour will assist in providing for all forms of healthy, sport, recreational activities, and cultural developments. The Government will encourage all organisations and institutions whose object is the provision of such recreation for youth.

i Housing.- Labour’s housing scheme is not excelled anywhere. Until the exigencies of war enforced limitation of construction over 15,000 State rental houses were built. The housing programme will be continued with, all possible expedition I even during the continuation of the ! war. On the cessation of hostilities i there will be an expansion enabling the completion of 16,000 dwellings a year. This will not only provide houses for the people but will facilitate the demolition and displacement of many of the congested areas in the cities. Security of tenancy is guaranteed to all State tenants with the right secured to the family to continue the tenancy of the nome. In order to assist those who desire to build their own homes, the State Advances Corporation will continue to lend at low rates of interest on a long term. Rural housing will be expedited. People in country areas will enjoy all the amenities of modern housing. Native Affairs.— The Labour Government stands for equality of Maori and pakeha. The Government, will continue to provide full educational opportunities for the Maori children, including agricultural and technical training. In this respect the Government has far surpassed anything attempted or even thought of, by previous Governments. The settlement of Native lands will be proceeded with vigorously and the necessary finance made available. Maori arts and crafts will continue to be encouraged and prompted. Houses for the Maori people will be of the highest standard. The rehabilitation training centres already instituted by the Government for Maori servicemen will be extended as required. The negotiations already begun in regard to a complete settlement of the Maori claims will be immediately resumed with a view to an early and complete settlement. Land Settlement.— Already large areas of land are being developed on lines to ensure an economic return. It is the Government’s policy to utilise Crown land and to purchase suitable areas from private owners. Labour’s policy also provides for the use of modern mechanised and scientific methods so that discharged servicemen can be settled on fully developed farms with security of tenure. Finance will be provided at minimum

rates of interest for servicemen and others desiring to acquire their own farms. Discharged servicemen who are experienced farmers will be placed on fully developed farms and in addition adequate facilities for training servicemen to become competent farmers will be provided. Full wages will be paid during the period of training. No servicemen will be settled on land at a price higher than its economic value, a result made possible by the passing of the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Bill. Where a soldier is established on the land he will be given a lease with a perpetual right of renewal, or freehold on agreed terms. In order to provide for those who desire to acquire their own farms or properties, generous financial assistance will be made available at low rates of interest. Afforestation.- The Government has plans prepared for a Dominion-wide scheme of afforestation and efficient use of our forest resources. Large areas of lands are being made available and additional suitable lands acquired for this purpose. National Development, This Is Labour’s policy for national development: To accelerate the development of hydro-electric power under a 10year programme; to provide for the complete reticulation of rural areas ensuring an ample supply of , electricity for homes, farms, and industries; to complete the reading scheme, particularly in the backblock areas, as soon as plant and personnel become vailable; to institute a comprehensive scheme of river control, and the prevention of soil erosion.

Transport.— Labour will continue the principle of efficient control and co-ordination of all forms of transport by rail, sea, and air. ’War has brought into prominence the prospective use of aerodromes and modern passenger and transport planes. Steps will be taken by the Government to make all these available as far as possible to the community. Ailmen who have served so splendidly in the war will be employed in civil aviation after the war. International Peace.—The Labour Government’s policy is to co-operate with Britain, the Dominions, and othti' nations in the promotion of international peace and security by contributing our full share in assisting the people of the United Nations who have suffered through enemy action, and to bring into operation the principles of the Atlantic Charter.