SAFETY & PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2301, 7 November 1914, Page 8

SAFETY & PROGRESS

THE REFORM POLICY MANIFESTO BY THE PRIME MINISTER PLATFORM OF THE TARTY ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT \ GOOD WAGES & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IMPORTANT BENEFITS FORESHADOWED

K manifesto, the .text of which is printed liereunder, setting forth ,the policy of the Reform Party, was issued by the Prime' Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) yesterday.— New Zealand and the Empire. 1. The first plank in the platform of the Reform Party is that New Zealand shall worthily sustain its share in. the responsibility and obligations of the Empire.. Local and Imperial Defence. 2. (a) A vigorous perseverance with the system of national training for defence by which New Zealand's young manhood may become citizens fitted for the safeguarding of tlio people's hearths and homes, and for helping the Empire in time, of need. (b)\A naval policy by which NewZealand will train personnel and gradually develop this Dominion's interests in an Imperial Navy which will adequately protect the Empire as a, wholo, maintain the supremacy of the v British flag in the Pacific, and render safe the trade routes so essential to. the continuance and prosperity of Empire. Safe Finance.

3. Continuation of the policy which has already placed the finances of New Zealand, especially as regards ' tho State Advances Departments |and the Public Works, on a much more satis-factory-basis than was the case when the present Government took office. Land for Use. 4.. Land for the people and people for the land. ■ (a) Maintenance of' the freehold .principle which encourages owners to improve their property, increasing the yield while maintaining the land in "good heart." (b) Development cf a sturdy selfreliant yeomanry by special. attention to tho bona-fide settle- : -.merit of small areas of godd land. (c) Promoting-; the subdivision' of v large estates which are suitable for close settlement by an automatic increase of the graduated tax. This policy will be e_xercised with a lust sane discrimination between land which is improved, and improvable land which i& kept in an unimproved condition. It is also necessary to have fair discrimination between land which is fit for agricultural and dairying purposes nnd ramptira- ■ tively poor pastoral land which cannot be profitably occupied in ' small areas. The basis of this policy is a taxation of any large landholder's inertia or indiffer-

cnce to New Zealand's needs. (d) Facilitating settlement by' an energetic, well-planned programmo .of roads and railways. Suitableland which may be improved by public works will be acquired iii advance of settlement, when such procedure is practicable. (e) Continuance of the new system by which the revenue from the State's : land .transactions will be . used to promote further settlement. . : (f) Establishment of Agricultural and Land Banks to minimise the financial anxieties of settlers and to enable them to hasten the' development of their land, for the profit of ; themselves and : the whole community. (g) Encouragement and improvement of education for in.dividual and national benefit. (h) An oxpansion of the system by which the aid. of the State ex'pert officers is available for var-

10U3 industries. ■ (i) : 'A proper use of Native lands for. ■ _ the advantage of both races, (j) of a better form of appeal in the case of disputed valuations of land by officers of the State. ■ : Checking the Drift to the Towns. 5. By giving better access. to the back-blocks and by other facilities the Reform policy will assure a proper bal-: anco of population between urban and rural areas. Roading is to be vigorously prosecuted' especially in places where settlement 'has gone ahead of reading. . Necessary Immigration. 6. The new policy, initiated by the present Government, of' bringing' boys to New Zealand, experienced in country 'work and apprenticing them under complete protection as to their wages and comfort to farmers, will bo prosecuted. The supply <jf' domestic helpers has been considerably increased since the Government took office, but still falls much below the clomand. Methods have been devised to provide larger numbers of immigrants of this class. , Better Trade and Industries. 1. (a) As a valuable aid to securing the best possible return from the exports, the Government has decided to establish a Board of Trade and Commerce, which will keep in 'close touch with the world's markets and note the . movements of trade. One importAnt function of the board will , ' be ■ to watch the shipping factor in j regard to inward and outward freights. " (b) One feature of the Reform Government's.lmperial policy will be in granting additional preference, where necessary, to British manufactures, and in making reciprocal arrangements with other members of the Imperial family. Strengthening Looal Industries. 8. Those manufacturing'- industries for which the natural conditions aro favourable in this country will be encouraged. Iron and Oil. 0. The policy of promoting the welfare of mining, by_ direct and indirect

assistance, is to include iron and oil, which have, with coal, a special national importance. The Government has plans to extend the usefulness of the geological survey, to all present and prospective mining enterprises. Wealth from the Fisheries, 10. The. Reform Government has given special attention to a development of the food fisheries, for local and overseas markets. This very . valuable industry wjll be fostered, in accordance with the recommendations of Professor Prince, Canada's well-known expert. -The Government has under consideration a scheme by which advances may be mado to deserving reliable men for tho purpbase of boats with a system of insurance at reasonable rates. It is also proposed to remove tho Customs duties on nets and other gear pertaining to the industry, and to endeavour to arrange with tho Commonwealth of Australia, for the removal of the import duties upon New Zealand fish. The State will thus be enabled to assist'the fishing industry in the same beneficial manner as in the past it has assisted the settlers awl workers. From Desort to Pasture ?nd Orchard.. 11. New Zealand has some large areas of dry country, particularly in Central Otago, merely awaiting -water to make them fertile. The Reform Government has already passed legislation '(providing for State advances) to facilitate tho irrigation process.. and this important transformation will be promoted by all reasonable means.' Tho Reform Administration is also going ahead with its policy, embodied in a .statute of laet year, to bring into cultivation, as pastures (sown with suitable grasses) or orchards, extensive areas of gum lands in the Auckland province. Additional encouragement is being given to the fruit industry by a bonus on exports.

. Tlmbor for the Future. 12. The Reform policy includes afforestation to ensure" adequate supplies of timber for the future and the , prevention of indiscriminate destruction of forests. ..-:■■ Guarding the People's Health. , 13. The Reform Government has been steadily improving and protecting the nublic health. The inspection of dairy herds is now more effective, and this activity will be continued. Tho main lines, of the general' nolicy are:— (a) Cheeking tubercular trouble at the source. ■ , (b) Encouraging and helping local authorities in the campaign against tuberculosis.- • . . (c) Courageous administration- of the Pure Foods Act; (d) Medical inspection and physical training of school children. (e) Extension of the maternity homes system and special training of . nurses in the , treatment of infants. ,

Penslons. Reform. 14. During the past two years the Government has fully redeemed the pledges which it made in regard to in r creased benefits under the various pension schemes: — Pensions to women at 60 inetead of 65. Pensions of £36 per annum .to military veterans; pensions. for every child under 14 years of age whose mother is a widow; pensions, to women whose husbande . are inmates of mental-hospitals; pensions to women who are widows and 1 who were previously disqualified by Teason of the fact that their late husbands were aliens. All these have already been effected.

'As soon as it is proposed to remove the penalty upon thrift which is at present inflicted: upon the applicant who is disqualified by reason of his possessing a nome beyond e certain value. Another,important feature is that of providing pensions for the physically infirm.. This will require to be done as soon as the necessary funds are available. '•' ' : Education for Sound Citizenship. 15. (a) This year's Education Act . brought the greatest i reform since the national system wae instituted, and the good work will be continued -till the smooth coordination of the primary, ■ secondary, and university departments is complete. The whole system is free of fee now for any pupil of fair ability and. per: • severance. ■ ' '■ (b) The Reform Government's encouragement of university work for better national efficiency includes provision for research in matters helpful to' local industries. (c) The eystera of technical education will be .developed and inado more effective in . its relation to the primary and secondary industries.

Advantages for Workers. 16. (1) Tie right to work: The Reform policy for land and secondary industries ensures work for all willing hands and willing minds. The provision for encouraging various industries —agricultural and pastoral, fruit farming, mining, fisheries, and others—will increase the national wages fund, and therefore directly, benefit all workers. (2) The'cost of living is to be reduced by:— (a) The erection of workers' dwellings by the Government. (b) State advances to workers for building purposes. . ' (c) Advances to counties and boroughs, etc., to enable them to .purchase the necessary land and erect workers' homes. (d) Reduction of Customs duties on certain articles in common use. (e) Extending tho scope of tho Commercial Trusts Act to facilitate proceedings against 'monopolies which attempt an improper exploitation of the public. (3) The right to insurance: Picparatious are being made with a sound plan to insure workers against sickness and uucmgloymeiit. Tliis polioj, willj

bo on lines which will not clash with the good work of friendly societies. _ (4) Subvention for Friendly Societies: As soon as the finances permit, it is the intention of the Government to again submit, for the consideration of friendly societies, a scheme' of national subvention, thus according the societies a,measure of recognition by tho State of tho magnificent national work which they are carrying on. (5) A Remedy for Waste of Labour i One of the safeguards against involuntary idleness will be in an amended system of labour exchanges to enable employers and workers throughout the country to reach, each other more easily, for mutual advantage. Better Local Government. 17. The legislative programme includes a system to improve the relations between the Geiferal Government, which acts for the whole public of New Zealand, and local bodies, which act for particular sections of the public. Allied with this reform will bo-the abolition of the present system of Parliamentary grants. A Bill for this purpose was introduced during the past session, but the pressure of other business necessitated a postponement of this meaauro. . Railways and Roads. 18. (a.) It is proposed to thoroughly overhaul the existing fares and . rates with a view to reducing the cost of travelling, especially to children of tender age, and to readjust the various admitted anomalies, in goods freights, among . which may be mentioned freights on hardwood and imported timbers-, etc. Long-idistance trains will be still further speeded up without causing undue incon-

venience to waysido passengers. (b)-While progressing with the national policy of railway construction, the Government will encourage a snirit of self-help in ■■: 3 districts which are willing to carry the liability for development lines. ' ' . (o) This policy will be supplemented by activo attention to roads for feeding the railways. " (d) The general railways' equipment is to be improved in accordance with the General Manager's recommendations.' This progressive policy will mean a saving of time,. money .and temper for. the public, and will also enable the Government to continue to recognise fairly the services of the whole staff. • (e) Improvement of suburban railway ..-- ■ services to case tho congestion of . cities and as an aid to intensive cultivation of small areas. I Town Planning. ' 19. The provision for town-planning, embodied in the Reform Government's amendments of the Land Act, will be systematically used, and if necesea'ry it will be extended.' - - . .'--.,

Opportunities for Energy. _ 20. The Reform • policy will leave no just cause for a cry of "social injustice or denial of opportunity. At no time in the history of Now Zealand was the field for a career more ooeh for workers' sons—in the Public Service, in tlio private professions, or in conunerce, or in trade or industry, urban or .rural—and these avenues are to be further broadened.. ■ • For the Native Race. 21. The Reform Government's .policy is to treat the Maori as far as possible as a pakeha, and the beneficial effects of the new regime are already visible, ihe Maori .is: being encouraged to strengthen himself : by intelligent enterprise, thus improving his usefulness as a.wew.Zealander. . Reform Plan Crystallised. Tho Reform plan is icommon-sense government bv. the cardinal principles or public- health, public wealth, aud national safety, ensuring . good times, good wages, and equal opportunities,

DEPUTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE . ——— t .. - ■ . •FOUND DEAD IN BED. (By Telesraoli.—Press Association.) Chrlstchuroh, November 6. George Alexander Smyth, Deputy Public Trustee for Christchurcii, and Official. Assignee for Canterbury, wae found dead in his room at the Clarendon .Hotel shortly before four o'clock this afternoon. Two bottles which had con--tained irritant poison were found in the room. When the discovery was made by the hotel porter, who had gone to Smyth's- room to inquire how he was, Smyth was lying on the bed quite dead. At the inquest held to-night the evidence showed that Smyth during the past week, had not been in his usual good health, but had appeared to be worrying a good deal over office matters, and more particularly over the estate of a certain solicitor who absconded, and who was adjudged bankrupt. From the evidenoe of witnesses connected with the office; Smyth has spoken to them of having consulted a doctor, who had told him that he was suffering from serious illness and had riot long to live. This story tie Coroner believed to be purely imaginary, as no trace of illness was , found by the doctor who conducted the post-mortem.. • '. Dr. Fitchett, the Public Trustee, was in town, to-day, and he telegraphed to Wellington for a, man to be: sent so that Smyth couH go on. holiday. There were no other reasons but these, known for Smyth taking his life. Smyth wae at the office as usual at 9 this morning, but complained of not sleeping the previous night. 'Other witnesses stated that Smyth's appearance during the past week suggested that he was unwell, but not that he would take his life. Shortly before 11 o'clook he made his will in_ the presence of a clerk and typist in the office, and got them to witness his signature and to vouch for -his. testamentary oapacity. The 'Coroner returned ■ a verdict of death by poisoning whilst of ' unsound mind. '.-..■■■