AIMS AND POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19664, 26 August 1935, Page 8

AIMS AND POLICY

THE DEMOCRAT CREED.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED.

MR HISLOP’S PLATFORM

(By Telegraph.—tress Association.)

WELLINGTON, Monday,

The selection of Mr T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington as leader of the Democrat Party was officially announced to-day. The official report of the Conference of candidates held last week says, inter alia, that the most striking feature was the manner in which candidates from every part of New Zealand found a common ground on policy matters. In accepting the leadership, Mr Hislop said the mnity of purpose, enthusiasm for'the task, and faith in the basic principles of true .democracy, that, had marked the deliberations, filled him with a sense of 'Complete confidence in the result. Let them work so that the 'Parliament of this country might be restored to its rightful place in the minds of the people a place where it would have their respect and confidence. .Let them work so that no man, woman or child in tills. country should eat bis daily bread embittered with a sense of charity, that each might go to his daily ’task with a sense 'Of pride and security, and that happiness, contentment and confidence might be restored in 'this glorious country. He dedicated himself to this cause. Deputy-Leaders Appointed. The - conference decided on two deputy-leaders, one in each island. Mr W. A. Veitcb, M.P. for Wanganui, was appointed for the North Island, and the Southern selection w r as postponed. The conference was every way a complete success and the party w T as definitely launched. The executive draws attention to the following facts: —First, that the leader of the party was chosen on the second day of tbe conference after the Luncheon adjournment; second, that the conference was marked toy absolute loyalty and enthusiasm on the part of all candidates; Third, that the report of tile conference was held up pending the finalisation of the work of several subcommittees which carried on over Friday. The question of publication of the names of candidates was left in the hands of the 'divisional executives. Outline of Polloy. Mr Hislop to-day made his first public statement as leader of the Democrat Party, outlining the main points of policy and intimating that he would enlarge on various points from the public platform. He said the country realised that the two parties which comprised the National Party bad both forgotten the principles l'or which they stood. They had followed a policy, the logical conclusion of which was the subjugation of the people to socialistic anti-bureaucratic control. With experiment following on experiment, with cynical disregard 'of the people’s rights, based on a cry of expediency, and with an unprecedented burden of taxation crushing industry in order that these experiments might toe supported, the confidence of the. people had been destroyed. j The Democrat policy, full details of which he would announce shortly, when he took the platform, had been arrived at with due regard to the eco-' nomio conditions of the country. They had avoided both parsimony and extravagance. The Major Points. The major points of policy referred to by Mr Hislop are:— > (1) Allowing the exchange rate to reach its true economic relation with sterling. (2) The assisting of farming with less injury to the relations with the Mother Country. (3) It was proposed to break down the barrier between town and country and to create a spirit of unity. (4) It is proposed also-to create machinery to afford temporary mortgage relief without involving the confiscation of capital or equities. (5) Sales and gold duty tax to be removed. (6) A definite scheme to return all fit men to their normal occupations at normal wages.

(7) A definite scheme 'to recognise and meet 'the long-deferred and just claims of returned soldiers. (8) A comprehensive hospital, health, insurance and pensions seheme. (9) An investigation for the purpose of reform of local hody government.

(10) The protection and encouragement of manufacturing industries upon tiie principle of a balanced national economy. (11) Provision for increased facilities for 'the education of children along more practical and useful lines. Air Hislop said the party was new in name, but its principles were not new. They believed fundamentally in the greatest possible freedom of the Individual and the fewest possible shackles upon legitimate activity. They believed in the general good as a supreme aim,' and believed in 'the equal, not the partial, sharing of the burden of troubled times and the fruits of (Ultimate prosperity.