THE FIGHT FOR REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1173, 7 July 1911, Page 6

THE FIGHT FOR REFORM.

GREAT MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL.

SPEECH BY MR. MASSEY.

REMARKABLE OUTBURST OF ENTHUSIASM.

THE REFORM PARTY'S PLATFORM.

The following, is the platform of the meeting in the Town Hall last night by Mr. W.F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition: — FINANCE. (1) Reform of the financial system of the Dominion, by instituting a thorough investigation into the Dominion's finances with a view to keeping borrowing within reasonable bounds, and of preventing wasteful expenditure. (2) Reform of the fiscal system of the Dominion, by reducing taxation wherever possible, in order to lessen the cost of living. LAND. (3) Reform of the Land system of the Dominion. (a) By giving all facilities possible to men of small capital to get on the land by means of the leasehold, as a stepping-stone to the freehold if they so desire it. (b) By giving the option of the freehold to tenants of Crown lands in L.I.P. at the original value, plus the difference between the rental on the O.R.P. and L.I.P. (c) By giving the option of freehold to tenants on settlement land or L.I.P. at the original value. (d) By providing for limitation of area to effectually prevent aggregation. (e) By providing for the payment of the purchase money in instalments, if so desired by the tenant. (f) By providing that the money derived from the sale of the freehold be utilised for the acquisition of further land for settlement. NATIVE LANDS, (4) Reform of the Native land legislation: (a) By a determined and sustained effort to settle the Native land question. (b) By the rapid individualisation of Native land wherever possible. (c) By affording the Native race the common privilege of disposing under proper safeguard of their land which is not required for their personal use. (d) By making provision against the creation of large holdings. (e) By promoting legislation having for its ultimate aim the placing of the Natives in the same position as the Europeans, with the same privileges and responsibilities.

Reform Party placed before the great Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the OpposiLEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (5) Reform of the Legislative Council, by replacing the present nominative Council with one elected on the same franchise as the House of Representatives, on the proportional system of voting by larger electorates. CIVIL SERVICE. (6) Reform of the Civil Service, (a) By improving the conditions governing the employment of Civil Servants, (b) By eliminating political influence and patronage, (c) By providing that all appointments and promotions shall be made and regulated by a Board responsible directly to Parliament, and absolutely free from Ministerial control, (d) By granting to the Civil Servants the right of appeal to a competent tribunal from a decision of the Board. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. (7) The reform of local government in the rural districts of the Dominion, by giving extended powers and assured finance, thus making it unnecessary for them to depend, to the same extent as at present, on the wasteful and unsatisfactory system of Parliamentary grants for public works. (8) Reform of the municipal legislation of the Dominion, by promoting a townplanning scheme to meet the future requirements of the towns of the Dominion. INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION. (9) Reform of the Old Age Pensions Act, by making the qualifying age for the pension for women sixty years, instead of sixty-five. (10) Reform of the industrial system of the Dominion, by promoting legislation in favour of compulsory insurance against sickness and unemployment. (11) Reform of the economic system of the Dominion, in the direction of promoting industrial peace, and restoring public confidence, in order to encourage local industries.