REFORM'S RECORD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2324, 4 December 1914, Page 11

REFORM'S RECORD

REFORM HAS DONE THIS.

DP Q Pensions to Women at 60 yean of age instead o f 65 (annual coA of concession, £70,000). Pension to every child under 14 whose toother i« ■ a widow. Increased exemption en the pensioner's home. tat Pennons (under Widow*' Pension A<3.) to women whose Husbands are confined ic Mental Hospitals.' tot Unconditional peniion of £36 a year to Maon ' War Veterans. . tat , ' Pensions reciprocity with AuftraKa; residence in vthe - Commonwealth qualifying for a pension in this ' country and u/ce vasa. •St Protection of Trades Unions by ftatntory provision - for secret ballot and important extensions of machinery of conciliation in connection with industrial disputes. teat Penalties' imposed upon unlawful intimidation. ocas ConflruSion of workers' home* expedited. 345 ■ dwellings erected by the Massey Government in two ' and a half years as againit 210 by the Ward Government in six year*. Amendment of the law relating to country workers' dwellings so as to permit area of allotments to be in-' creased where the land is poor. tat Power to erect, lease and sell workers' dwellings extended to counties and municipalities.' tat Superannuation system for employees ef local authorities. - tat Provision that workers' compensation cases may be ' heard in the Magistrate's Court (inftead of the Arbitration Court) so as to obviate delay. ' Employees of the Crown given the same right to receive compensation as employees of private persons. ~" -lot Statutory requirement of centre passage in tramway cars to obviate risk to employees. tat Establishment of a minimum salary of £ 140 a year for married men in'the' Public Service. Minimum salary of £100 'a year for male officers in the Public Service who have completed three years' service and reached the age of 21 years. tat Improvements in school teachers' salaries and staffing of schools to coft ultimately £164,000 per annum. Average salaries of school teachers to be raised by • £30 10s.. Railway employees' salaries raised by approximately / £120,000 per annum. IC3S - Pay of,poEce increased by £18,000 per year. tat t. week for, hotel employees. , . .V.', *t "£.v. .VK j7':;t- 8 o» ? ; *'Y.l'{ Much improved- accommodation for Sax-mill employees'and other agricultural workers. "*' . '"" ,' ~ '~',. "' 'OC3J Commissioner control of the Public Service. Abolition of the vicious system under which political influence dominated appointments and promotions, Board of Appeal granted to public servants. oat School Scholarship Syitem liberalised —scholarships to ait qualified candidates irrespective of competition. tat Medical inspection and physical education of school children. tat Education system remodelled, including centralisation of inspectorate so as to better all-round I control and prepare the way for a Dominion system of grading school teachers. tat Legislative protection of the aged and infirm, sot Exemption of household chattels from distraint for debt increased from £25 to £50. tat Provision of Crown defender* for accused persons without means. cat Expeditionary forces of nearly ten thousand men organised, equipped and despatched without a hitch, tat The Naval Defence Act provides for the establishment of a New Zealand Naval Force as distinct from the policy of contributing money only towards the support of the Imperial Navy. tat Defence administration remodelled and improved. oat Sinking-fund for public buildings. tat Important amendments to mining law. oat Additional totalisator permits authorised to remedy the injustice inflicted upon country racing clubs by the Racing Commission of 1910. ' oat Election of mayors made biennial instead of annual. IDI Law relating to local elections and polls amended by the introduction of provisions similar to those en-' suring the proper conduct of Parliamentary elections. tat Better payment of magistrates and extension of their jurisdiction so as to simplify and cheapen legal proceedings. tat I Municipalities given the option of adopting the *" system of proportional representation in their local elections. , tat t Act passed providing for establishment of a \ Dominion museum, art' gallery, and library. tat Provision that Civil Servants as a body must make good defalcations of fraudulent officers repealed. < tat j Additional judge of the Supreme Court appointed ( and improvement made in the constitution of the Court of Appeal. too Copyright law brought into line with that of the t United Kingdom and other leading countries. (

pTTTT l/Tf\ HEEE years ago the electors of New Zealand withdrew their support from the party which for nearly a quarter of a z=z — century had- controlled the, country's affairs. Seven months later the days of the Continuous Ministry came to an end, and a new era opened in the Dominion's' politics. In these- pages will be found some account, of the work that has been done in Parliament since Mr. Massey was called upon in July 1912, to form his Ministry. It is lor the electors' on Thursday next to say whether that work meets with their approval or whether, they desire a reversion to the rule of Sir Joseph Ward backed by a section of extreme Labour-Socialists. Look back over the history of New Zealand politics, and what do we find? Firßt came the stormy teething days from 1854 to 1870 with the long Maori troubles and many changes of Ministry. Then followed the inauguration' of the public l ; works • policy, and the era of road and railway building, when money was spent like water and the prolonged boom faded out in a period of severe depression at the end of the eighties. The third period of tho country's politics is that in which the Continuous Ministry held 1 - office. In 1891 came the era of Ballance, when the Liberal party, guided-by definite principles and fared with a genuine ambition for reform, did much useful work for the country. Mr. Seddon 'followed in- 1803, and gradually established a remarkable personal ascendency over both Parliament and the Cabinet. Each election saw the Seddonian majority grow visibly, and as it became more securely seated in office so did the original democratic vigour of the party diminish. Sir Joseph .Ward succeeded his late chief in 1906 and took over the leadership with a bigger majority at his- back than had been pos-' sessed by any other .Premier taking office. Twice he went to the polls during his-Premiership and on each occasion the party "under' him lost seat after seat; At the election of • 1908'/, the,'/■, Wardist./.- following fell. llfronrfi67.Jt'6!'4B ) yan'd'-inii 1911 it -wasreduced from 48 to 31, a clear minority in;a House of 80 members.

people largely on the strength of what had Deen done by his party ten and fifteen years previously and by depicting an era of soupkitchens, sweatine, land monopoly, and business stagnation as- likely to ensue if his opponents were elected. Parliament was called to consider the position arising from the elections in February. Faced with the prospect of a hostile majority Sir Joseph Ward promised in the. Governor's speech reforms and new measures' in this that and every direction. On the evening of February 27 the fateful division was taken and the Government survived by the Speaker's_ casting vote. Subsequently it transpired that this result had only been attained by Si) Joseph Ward undertaking, to withdraw from the Ministry, which he did on March 28, a month later. During the succeeding three months probably the most incongruous Cabinet which has ever'attempted to guide the destinies' of New held office under Mr. Thomas Mackenzie. It faced Parliament for the first time on June 27 and on July 5 .was defeated on a no-confidence motion by 41 votes. to 33. Mr. Massey therefore succeeded to office on July 9, almost exactly seven months after the popular vote had gone against Sir Joseph Ward. After an adjournment of three weeks the new Ministry: met Parliament and introduced its first instalment of policy measures. The first task that confronted it was the filling of the vacant High Commissionership and this it did by appointing one of its principal opponents, the Hon. T. Mackenzie. A week later came the first Reform Budget, which contained the clearest statement' of the national finances that had been presented to Parliament for many years. -An important change was also made by. the adoption of tho practice of submitting all estimates of expenditure for investigation to the Public Accounts Committee, comprising both Government and Opposition members, before presentation to Parliament. During the first month in office the Ministry brought down bills for the-reform-of;tho.Legislative Gounof- : tha ?, ioivil/SeV"j-'' vice, also its proposals' for increasing .the graduated land tax, and decided on the importation of an outf side expert in railway management; September saw progress made in' the consideration of various policy measures put before Parliament, and was also'notable for the firm way the Government took in hand the suppression of the lawlessness and disorder at Waihi. where the Federation of Labour-had endeav-

oured to establish a reign of terror. The Legislative Council- in this month killed tho Bill for its reform, and rejected a proposal, that the term of the new members which tho Government must appoint to pass the Bill ahould be three years instead of seven as in the past. At the end of the month the Government Land Bill giving the Crown tenants' the long-desired opportunity of acquiring the freehold of their farms was introduced.' A good deal of time was wasted by organ-, ised • obstruction in the House of Representatives on the Public Service Reform Bill, for which the Opposition showed especial distaste.

The session continued through October .and came to an end on November 7 with the bulk .of the Government measures with the exception of the Legislative Council Reform Bill on the Statute Book.

In the recess Mr. Allen, in his capacity of Minister of Finance and Minister of Defence,, visited England, where he made arrangements which have resulted in the notation of the Dominion's loans on better terras than hitherto, and consulted the Imperial Government on the question of naval defence. Mr. •Fisher'-also'■ visited Australia and conducted negotiations for customs and . pensions reciprocity, concluding agreements since ratified in New Zealand, but long deferred in Australia owing to; the ..unsettled state'of politics thcro.

The second session under the Reform Ministry opened on June ,27, 1913. The Opposition, which throughout the first session had been without any recognised leader, continued so in the second until Sir Joseph Ward was petitioned to conie"forth from his retirement and resume control. A policy of determined, obstruction was adopted from 'the'.outset-of the'session, and the administrative acts of the Government were fiercely criticised,. of ten it appeared on investigation, under ah entire misapprehension of the facts.'

July saw the gathering, in Wellington of the famous • Unity Congress at which the Federation of Labour unsuccessfully sought to bring all sections of organised labour under, its banner. An epidemic of small-pox broke out in the north, ;which;, happily by prompt measures was'.confined mainly, to the Natives,-among: whom it "had first appeared; H! Shd:;-'greater part of' the public 'throughout the country was 'vaccinated,.;and in-fact no person was allowed to travel between the two islands without a vaccination .certificate. A case was discovered in tho home of a member of ; Parliament and the House, itself had a narrow escape from a period of quarantine. A number of measures for lib-

■ Despite this emphatic indication that fie'had-forfeited the confidence of, the electors, Sir Joseph Ward made every effort to retain. office.' He had gone to the country almost entirely without a constructive policy, _ and in ; his election manifesto (which may. be found in any New Zealand newspaper of December 8, 1911), asked for, the suffrages of the

Gold-miners' relief fund supplemented by payments from the Public Revenue. Previously it was wholly dependent upon*'a percentage of gold duty which was often inadequate. The powers of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives so extended that every detail of public expenditure can now be exhaustively scrutinised and checked instead of taken on trust as in former years. : ia> Regulations enforced under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act to guard the public against the dangers of adulteration.

2- 30) Mmkki AAlmemmU z

eralising pensions and other policy Bills were submitted to Parliament during the month, towards the end of which Mr. Massey outlined his scheme for a Board' of Agriculture, subsequently established.

uree were debated and passed into law. Parliament finally finished its labours for the year on December 15. Six days later the big strike waß called off. The Government had suppressed the strike disorders with a firm hand and at the same time carried'on the business •of Parliament despite much senseless obstruction at a critical time.

,In August the seoond Reform Budget was presented and disclosed a sound and healthy state of the finances. The course of business proceeded more or less normally throughout the month and in September, with the exception of prolonged obstruction by-the Opposition on the _ Mental Hospitals Department estimates on the ground that it was asked to pass the estimates before the departmental report, was available; Proofs of the report, which had been delayed by pressure of work' in the Government Printing Office, were circulated, but despite this _ the obstruction continued. Solid progress was made with a number of the policy measures to be found in the statute book for the year.

The events of the past year are sufficiently fresh in mind not to need recapitulation hero. After a busy and fruitful period of administrative work the Ministry met Parliament oh Juno 25. Five weeks later the Empire was plunged into war. Contentious business was for a: time suspended. Proparationß wore made for Now Zealand troops' to join their kinsmen in defending the honour of the Empire, ana prompt measures were also taken: to meet the situation created by war and allay any tendency to panic in commercial • circles. The Government won the commendation of all classes for the prompt and thorough manner in whioh it handled the situation. Within six days a force of 1500 men was despatched to Samoa. Within six weeks the Main Expeditionary Force of 10,000 men was recruited, put through a course of training, and embarked on a. fleet of transports for' the longest voyage ever undertaken by a military' force of the size. Notwithstanding the handicap imposed by the war and its interference with the- ordinary, business of Parliament, a number of important measures were passed into law, and all necessary powers obtained for carrying on a progressive policy of publio works and development. The third session of the Massoy Government came to an end on November 5 last.

InOctober the' Native Land Bill was_ introduced, and the Opposition again resumed its obstructive tactics on tho Land Bill. On the 22nd of the month a strike began on the wharves at Wellington which rapidly spread among the waterside workers and other workers and paralysed the trade of the Dominion for many weeks. Many outbreaks of disorder occurred and the prompt action taken by : the Government to suppress the resort to violence and intimidation was severely, criticised by Sir Joseph Ward as unnecessary. On several occasions the police and special constables were stoned by the crowds and rioters arid at the Buckle Street barracks where the "specials" wore quartered pistols were fired by rioters during one ' of the disturbances. It was not until a force of some, thousands of special police had been massed, that it was safe,to resume work on the water-front at the various seaports and the rioting and disorders we're, suppressed. The; firm manner in which the: Government took the situation in hand and, completely stamped out the most daring attempt ever made in Australasia to institute mob rule was the subject of warm and favourable comment throughout tho country. But for the firmness of the Government in defeating the attempt to block' the ports thousands of farmers would .hive' been faced with ruin.

In November the Opposition; put up a record for obstruction in its stonewall in, the Second Ballot Repeal Bill, three clauses of which were made thei subject of 73 hours' wcari-, some and mostly irrelevant; debate. During th«" month and in the first fortnight of December the Native Lands Bill, the Naval ..Defence Bill, the Labour, Disputes Investigation Bill, and numbers of other meas-

This brief and incomplete review of the Reading events of the three years since the last general election will enable the reader to grasp the difficulties and obstacles which have confronted tlie Government; and notwithstanding which they have redeemed all their election promises of 1811, with the exception of two planks, held over perforce until tEe next Parliament.. '■'";.'•'■

Does the record of the last three ycarß as set out around this page inspire you with confidence in the sincerity and determination of the Reform party ? Has it treated, you •fairly, in carrying out ite pledges of three years ago? Do you find its programme for the next three years (set out elsewhere in this issue) to your; mind 1 Does not the Massey Government appeal to you as a Government of honesty, and courage,- a Government of plain speaking and fair; dealing? Does any other .party in politics offer you as good a Government? These points should have your serious consideration before you oast your vote on Thursday next. •■.'••

MILESTONES ON THE ROAD OF PROGRESS.

HTHE scores of items—each of them a substantial and definite achievementset out around this page are an earnest of what the Reform Party will do for New Zealand. Remember, this record of work was accomplished in the brief space of thirty months,; in the face of prolonged Parliamentary obstruction, on the narrowest of majorities, and in a period in which the ordinary course of business was dislocated by a severe epidemic, the greatest strike in the history of New Zealand, and the greatest war in the history of the world. < A Government with such a record under such difficulties has a solid claim on your support and confidence.

Provision for the safety of-life.at.su by the installation of wireless telegraphy apparatus on coastal passenger steamers, as well as on intercolonial vessels. too . New General Manager of Railways imported from England with a view to improving the working efficacy of the railway system. In order to safeguard the right to vote it was enacted this year that any elector whose name was on the roll and who had voted last election, but has; been. omitted from the current rolls may vote upon making a-statutory declaration before the returning officer. ..-

— FOR YOUR BENEFIT.

ODD Record euWrraion of land; 4483 new BoKGngi' in two yean. iai Provisira tor special loan of £1,8)0,006 to road toe back-Hocks. icai ' Aggregation of land checked by an increase fa the graduated land tax, and provision made that the* State may acquire compulsorily land aggregated against the public interest. I <icat '/ All sums received by the State from tenants in unroaded districts to be expended in roads and bridges, in these districts (Land Act, 1913). IC3O Freehold option to (til Crown tenants except on endowment land. tat Graduated land tax increased. Annual return from tax increased by £53,000, despite rapid pro-, j gross of subdivision. got i Advisory Board of Agricoitnre set up to assist rural industries and promote agricultural education. est Powers of die Crovra relative to die acquisition of Native lands increased, with a view to excluding speculators and assisting sound settlement. tot Frmt farms for m<a without means. Twenty, five acre'holdings.on the Auckland gum-lands rent free for five' years. - tat State assistance to fruit canning and packing factories. tat Cost per cent, of raising loans reduced from £5 Is. Id. (cost of Mackenzie Government loan) to £4 Is. 3d. (cost of lost loan), eat Rate of interest m the Post Office Savings Bank raised from 3£ to 31 |>er cent. '' tat State advances law consolidated and amended. Department being removed from any suspicion o[ political .influence or interference. Administration of the department reformed. Results: When Ward Government left office in 1912 liabilities totalled £1,538,023, and funds in hand only £684,000. On 31st March (ant funds in hand totalled £ 1,634,302, and liabilities only, £679,900. tat Money supplied in liberal quantities even during the war months. JOI Advances ia aid of irrigation. tot Customs concessions amounting to £30,000 a, yean lUO , Remission of income tax on small incomes in ' respect of children. tat Graduated and increased taxation on large incomes, which has produced an additional £50,000 per annum (irrespective of the increase due to growth ■ in the number of tax-payers). ' eat State guarantee of local body loans to die amount of £250,000 annually. 001 Profits of the State Fire Insurance Department, doubled. tat Improved 'administration'of the Public Trust Office. Record business and. profits side by side with increased concessions to the Public. ,- SOB Settlers in need of a branch railway which the Slate cannot construct, empowered to form a rail- ■ 'way district and build and control the line themselves, the State retaining the right to ultimately take it over. «09 Provision for a special loan to bring the principal railway stations and main lines up-to-date. i tot .State subsidy to breeders of horses suitable for i military remounts; cat War-risk insurance arranged for Dominion shippers through Imperial War-risks Office. I eat Moratorium enacted to protect mortgagees and ' prevent dislocation of trade owing to the war. eat Large importation!, of wheat to relieve what would otherwise have been a serious shortage. - oao Commission set up to regulate food-prices in war-time. coo : Advances to kauri-gum diggers on their output to tide them over the war period and prevent their i being exploited. eat Provisions for the branding of boots, shoes, etc. with a true description so as to protect the buyer and make the sale of shoddy- impossible. eao \ N Democratic reform of the Legislative Council by, the substitution, of election by the people for the nominative system. tat Costly and obnoxious Second Ballot. Act repealed; eat Emancipation of Maoris qualified to exercise equal privileges with Europeans. eat Provision for town-planning (in the Land Act, 1912). «at Provision for State assistance to the iron industry, oat Liberal provisions for country telephones, and up-to-date automatic tystem in the principal centres, cat Provision made fcr the registration of plumbers. eat Registration and licensing of land-agents.' oat Expeditionary troops at home and abroad enabled { to record their votes. I oat j University system remodeled and improved. ■ oat ;, ~ Registration of architects. oat Dominion fisheries inspected by a competent ex- !• pert (Professor Princs of Canada) with a view to | lull development of tlie industry, and its establish- j ment on a sound basis. ' 3