RECONSTRUCTION IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 10

RECONSTRUCTION IN N.Z.

TEN-YEAR PLAN PREPARED REPORT TO LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 18. A vast, long-range plan for the economic, industrial, and social reconstruction of the Dominion in post-war years was introduced to the conference of the New Zealand Labour Party by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) last evening. The plan, on which discussions will possibly continue for some days, was evolved by a committee of Ministers and Labour members of Parliament whose duty it was: (1) to investigate and report on the economic, material, physical, financial, and manpower resources of the Dominion; (2) to correlate and adjust both a long-range and an immediate programme; (3) to devise plans to make possible a full employment policy and the maximum production of consumable goods and essential services; (4) to provide a plan of development designed to safeguard and sustain New Zealand’s social security benefits; and (5) to provide a balanced internal economy on a consciously planned basis. The report, which is intended to cover the development of the Dominion during the next 10 years, was prepared by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), chairman, the Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash), the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple), the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts), the Minister of Rehabilitation (the Hon. C. F. Skinner), the Minister of Transport (the Hon. J. O’Brien), and Messrs W. T. Anderton, Qlyde Carr, H. E. Combs, F. Langstone, and T. H. McCombs, members of Parliament. After Mr Fraser had introduced the report, Mr Sullivan opened a debate during which Ministers responsible for each department of State will outline the plans they have made for future New Zealand. “No Government can afford to live on achievements of the past alone,” said Mr Sullivan.

The national president of the Labour Party (Mr J. Roberts) said the report was the result of thorough investigation and a vast amount of data from State departments, which had been carefully correlated by the committee. Because of the importance of the Government’s plan and.policy, the conference unanimously’ agreed to withhold the appointment of remit committees and to allow discussion on any remits included on the order paper in conjunction with reports submitted by each Minister.