A NATIONAL POLICY FOR A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 7

A NATIONAL POLICY FOR A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

- - Sir,—W ; e have a/ Government- which--has .the : support of all classes and all parties in the- country, and-to which, we have been looking for a plain-'statement of a broad, far-seeing, and statesmanlike, policy to be submit-ted-to-Parliament at a time-when, if the Empire'strains, every nerve and makes every sacrifice, a decisive victory will bo-ours, but if from apathy, ail easy optimism, or the lack of a vigorous lead from our statesmen-we' jog along without any special effort, we may find that the war results in that unsatisfactory draw which the Germans sre making such frantio efforts to secure.

Wo hear a great deal--about civic' courage. What is required in New Zealand ,is political courage, a statesman to giye»,us a lead and, to stir us to enthusiasm and energy.' l An ' : Australian merchant who was. here on a visit last month, and who is'no supporter of the Labour said: ''We Australians cannot understand your. New Zealand Government.' ,It seems afraid to move.. Whatever our Government may he, it has at all ovents had the courage to bring forward a strong-policy." Today the general feeling is that'-volun-tary effort, so far from being festered, is chilled-by the Government,'that for some reason or another hesitation and timidity and reticence prevail instead of decision and determination. The people have given their' confidence to the Government and. have laft it a free band, bit the- Government does not take the people into its confidence. Now that Parliament is about to meet, the country should give the Government a lead and prescribe a.policy for it. With a view to inviting discussion on the'subs ject, I suggest that the following should be essential' planks in the platform of. any patriotic New Zealand Government at the present time:—

1. Put pensions and separation allowances 'on a proper footing. Give pensions as of right. Increaso the separation allowance so that a soldiers' wife and family may havo the same amount to live on while he is alive as if he were dead. Remedy the anomalies at present existing in the pensions system. It is useless to talk of the failure of the voluntary system and of men shirking their duty to the country until tbe Government has done its duty and made proper provision for soldiers and thoir dependants, such provision as cannot hereafter he disturbed by any board or Minister. : 2. Make provision as is being done in England for the State to meet the soldiers' obligations with, regard to payment of instalments of purchase money on his house and furnituro, interest, insurance premiums, rates and so forth. Why, for instance,- thould a man who is fighting for his country and who is paying for his homo and his furnituro by instalments, or who has ■ a mortgage upon his hous.e run the risk of losing that home while he is away, or if he gives his life for his country? Surely the least that tho State can do for him is to give his wife and children enough to live upon and to secure his home for his family I 3. So long as the voluntary system continues, take the volunteers, when it, can got them, even if it costs a ! little siere to hold them. Citizens cf Auckland, Wellington, and Christichuroh know from experience ,how many men were lost for want of action in this direction, but their repeated renresenta-

tions have had no effect upon tho Government. 4. Adopt a scheme for universal compulsory service, not only military, but (if necossary) civil. Formulate the classes, into which the people are divided (a) for military,,.(b) for civil service, the order in which the several classes are. to be called up and the basis on which exemptions are to be granted. The experience in England of the "starred" men and occupations shows what a difficult subject this is to handle, and bow much thought and calculation and investigation it needs to evolve a scheme that will at the same time not send to the" front any men who are needed' horo and not keep at home any men who can bo spared for the'fighting lino. o. Tax war profits up to tho hilt. 6. Spread the burden of taxation equitably over the wbolo of the people instead' of looking to the generous section 'of the community. Shoulder the burden that should be bome by all. Put an end to thv degrading and unnecessary system of Begging in tho streets, carnivals, and Taffies, of which the public is weary. Why should not all expenses of conducting the war and of providing for the soldiers and their dependants he borne by the whole of the people in proportion to their wealth ? 7. Borrow in New Zealand all the money required and relieve England to that extent. There is plenty of money to be got at 4£ or 5, per cent, on Government bond? or debentures. Make them so low that everyone can invest oven small savings in this way. 8. Preach' and praotise . economy throughout the Dominion. What lead has the Government given in this direction ? None. It has now received a lead from the Imperial Government. Tax amusements and luxuries, while taking every reasonable step to keep 'down the prico of necessaries. Explain the - effect, upon our financial position of saving as opposed to extravagance. If the Government cannot find speakers to inaugurate a campaign on these lines, get some of our. .bankers and merchants to enlighten the public by speeches and pamphlets. -Overhaul' all [departments that have to do with war supplies, and check'all waste.

9. If'the National Register or War Census was so badly taken as to require taking over again, do not abuse the citizens for not doing what the Government should have done properly in the first instance,-but get to work at once and-appoint'and pay properly authorised canvassers and census takers to make a job of it,- instead of relying on.the amateur. In any case, take the census now instead of next year and include in it all information' required for military purposes. :10.,1f women—as they", should—are to he .asked to take the place of men, again do the job thoroughly and properly, and do not leave it to-the amateur.'. The Government is a- year, too late. It sliould have compiled its register of women workers a year ago, ascer-, tained.in what occupations' they would be most needed and have established training schools for them, so,that they, might ho ready now. The Women's National Reserve has been doing splendid work, so far as its limited resources .would permit, but the Government should .have utilised it, and backed it financially and enabled it to conduct, its operations on a large scale. , The war will be over by the; time-that women in New Zealand will have been trained to take the place of men to any. large extent. •

lb Take its coinage in both hands and place-upon New Zealand her fair share of _the burden of tlis defence of the Empire, both in men and money". We must surely- blush when we compare our'taxation with that of the English citizen'. In peace tim a each party likes to 1 loave it to the other to impose taxation, but a Government that . is afraid to impose the taxation Tpquired in" war; time will not'survive long when peace;comes again.;; ; The English summer of 1916 will see the turning point of the war. Now is the time to put all our weight into the blow. —I-am, etc., ,;■- '•• '-.- H.'F. von HAAST,