Caucus Also Votes For Lowered Hospital Rating

Chronicle (Levin), 1 June 1946, Page 7

Caucus Also Votes For Lowered Hospital Rating

-Press Association

Bv Telearavh—

WELLINGTON, May 31. After three days spent xnainly in discussing policy questions, the National Party caucus concluded this afternoon. In an official statement dealing witn the caucus, the leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, said it had heen one of the most important held hy the Party. The discussions had covered a wide field and while a full policy would not he released until the election cam paign was launched, the party considered the time now opportune to declare its position on several questions of outstanding importance. The Bretton Woods agreement had beeu among the subjects discussed and in view oi; its cffects upon the monetary policy and trade of New Zealand, the subject had heen considered from evei/ angle. No opportunity had been pruvided by the Government for a divmssion by Parliament last session but a substantial majoritv of the caucus de cidcd to oppose ratification if the mat" ter should coino before Parliament. Gonie menibers, hovvever, in conformity with the riglit conferred by 'he National Party of voting in aecordii.ce with tlieir own judgment and eonsciences, had expressed tlieir intention of supporting tlie„ ratification of the agreement. Hospital Rating The caucus which had given careful consideration to the burning question oi hospital rating had reatfirmed its earlier decision to revert to the rate ot hospital taxation ohtaining before the introduction of Social Security, the subsequent increase in costs attributable to social security to he spread over the whole community. The caucus also undertook at a later stage to remove the hurden of hospital rating from the land altogether. , There was strong criticism of the ■ t'ailure of the Government to imple*m nt | ihe reconnnendations of the Parlianientary Coinmittoe 011 Local Government, this conimitlee having agreed to •a reduction of ihe rate to approxiwate- ! iy the level existing prior to the introjduction of social security, whereas the i Goveniinent, instead of giving soiue : assurance to local Iiodies rcgarding its I intentions, had coinpelled them to strike [ levies which perpetuated the injustices 1 which ratepayers complained of and ! which the committee unanimously ! agreed should be corrected. 1 Release of Servicemen i The release of service personnel ha 1 i also been discussed and it was the view ! of caucus, said .Mr. Holland, that this | was insepurably bound U]> with produ"- , tion shortages, as a further release of ! personnel now held in the services j would assist materially to strcngtlien | inany industries in which manpower

was short. Many moa stii'l in the. armed forces were eager to resume tlieir civilian jobs but there had been evidencc lately- that men were being held nnnecessarily. A long-range defence policy. was considered essential so that it would bo n> longer necessary to hold men for peacetime service who had been compulsprily enrolled for wartime sbrvice. Not only would the. release of such men assist production but it would also allow youug men to resume their interrupted careers. Meals at Schools In discussions of New Zealand 's national health, said Mr. Holland, there was general agreement on tlio importance of a lasting and sound foundation of physical health among young children. To that end the Party would include in its election policy the institution of a proper service of vvellbalanced midday meals for children altending the schools of the Doininiou. Meals of high vitainin content includ ing hot meals for winter months were essential and the necessary faciiitics should be provided as early as possible. Caucus also adopted in its scheme for juvenile health, the provision of dryingrooms in schools. Mr. Holland said it had been pointed out that these were considered indispensable at military camps, therefore it was equally important to liave them in schools.