ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Chronicle (Levin), 14 May 1949, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

National Party Has Bnsy Caacas

• " ^ WELLINGTON, May 13. The ear'ly construction of the Rongo-. - tai aiip^'t and the establishment of ai modern air serviee ' between s.Australi> ■ and the South Isiand are two develoo inents that are/to be iinplemented b> Jie National . Party if it becomes th a-overnment at the general election this year. These decisions of the eaucuy of members of tlie Pariiamentar \ Natio'nal Party held today yvere an nounced tonight by'the Leader of tlu. Opposition (Mr. Hoiland). He hddeu that an airport of international standard would be established at Harewooo .and a serviee between Australia - anu the South Island would be in additionto the existing air servi'ces betweeii. Australia and Auckland. Reviewing .tlie work of the caucus Mr. Hoiland said it was essentially a vvorking caucus f-or the eonsideration repoi'ts and interim reports from -com uiittes previously set up to investigate speeial questious. Sevgral member.reported on their speaking and fac-tory mspection tours, and plans were uiadv for further tours before tlie opening o, ihe session of Parliament. Draft propos lis on a future housing policy, both rental and purchase, Were presented by the party 's housing com inittee, and an interim report was also submitted on a type of prefabricated house specially suitabie for rural areas. The primary production committee re ported on plans to iucresfse production in town aud countr/ and for bringing large areas of waste land, including Maori land at present unoceupied, intu production. The party was determined to place in the very forefront of its election eampaign the fight against the twin . evils of Communism and Sociaiism, Cpmmunism would be deelared a sub versive activity and Communists would be debarred from holding office in in dustrial unions or Government posts. The party would resist any further encroachnient on the legitimate preserves of private traders, ancl to restori harmony in industry it had bgen de cided to iutroduce an effeetive and independently supervised secret ballot in elections for union officials and on strike issues. Mr. Hoiland said the caucus health committe presented a report-»on hospita. administration, and the caucus resolved to resist any further eentralisation of hospital services or any reduetion m local control of hospital administration. The committee also reported on the urgent need of a thorough oyerhaul of the Health Department with a view to vastly improviiig its servj.ee to the public, Thc ... oi .iiiee ^"'is i.nstrueted to continue inquiries and report to the next caucus. The finance eommittee reported on "the failure of the last £29,000,001, conversion loan," and the steps re quired to be taken to reeover the eonli dence of flthe invesfing public. Mr. W. Sullivan (M.P. for " Bay of Plenty) and Mr. J. A. McL. Roy (M.P. for Clutha) reported on their recent tour of Britain, Germany and India, aml an interim report was received viToni> Mr. T. C. Webb (M.P. for Rodney) who is at present in Ottawa for a meeting of the Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Mr. liuiland reported on his visit to Australia. Ihe caucus carried a motion of sym pathy with Mrs. G. H". Ross, ,\i.P. fo Hamilton, in the death of her mothe1