WELFARE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 228, 20 June 1919, Page 8

WELFARE LEAGUE

PROPOSED POLITICAL PLATFORM

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Yesterday the proposed political platform of the Now Zealand Welfare League, prepared for submission to a conference of delegates, was announced as follows:—

(D-HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE. (a) A scheme under expert and competent control for the provision by the State in association with local authorities, of adequate hygienic. housing accommodation at reasonable rentals, with encouragement to tenants to acquire the freehold of their homes. (b) Greater attention through education boards and school nuthoritieu to the health.and physical well-being of children.- ( . (c) A complete reorganisation of the system of controlling pnblio health under which the spheres of activity of tho central 'board and of local authorities will be clearly defined; and the making of definite and adequate provision for coping with unexpected epidemics. (d) Free maternity homes. ■' (e) State nurseries for destitute* children. (2)-THE HEPATIZATION OF .' SOLDIERS. • _ I ' And their Absorption into National Activities. (a) Liberal and careful provision to give them a fair start in life, with special care for the welfare of -maimed and incapacitated soldiers. (b) A more prompt administration of the existing provisions for settling and pecuniarily assisting soldiers to settle on the land. ' ©-EDUCATION. (a) A complete reorganisation of ; the system of education, in the direction of equipping children for overyday life with greater attention to qualifying them for technical and practical pursuits, and with increased encouragement by- scholarships and, bursaries for children who show aptitude for technical pursuits. (b) Greater co-ordination of the secondary schools and university colleges with the primary system of National education, and encouragement to. adults engaged in. active life to take advantage of the educational advantages of secondary schools and university colleges. (c) Increase of the salaries and betterment of the conditions of publio school teachers. ■• (-{(-EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE, (a) In view of. the failure of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to- settle industrial disputes, an entire' reconsideration of the method of settling such disputes, with a view to their more expeditious settlement, with special consideration to the adjustment of disputes, either by committees on'the lines of,tho Whitley'- Commission,' or by Industrial Parliament on the lines of Mr. Sparkes's scheme. .- .'■'•''

(b) taws'which,'while recognising the right, of labour to combine to further its interests, will discourage strikes and "direct action," and- impose ■ effective limitations on the right to strike in all occupations involving great public conveniences, and to enforce the laws,; in this respect. (c) Provision for the representation of consumers on any body entrusted with the settlement of industrial disputes.

(d). As far as possible to : abolish casual employment and the waste 'of, efficiency thereby involved. (e) The amendment ; of. the-National Annuities Act by making provision for Government "assistance to. the pensions fund 6of employers, public authorities, and bona fide friendly societies. (5)-ENCOURAGEMENT OP .PRODUCTION. . ,!.- (a). Greater interest by the Government in the development of the inrius-, tries of the Dominion; by the careful revision from time to timo of laws affecting commerce; by assistance, through the High Commissioner in extending and making known markets for our products; and by the establishment of a Department of Commerce or a-.Govern-ment Bureau designed to facilitate trade and.afford information to merchants and .commercial men. (b) Special encouragpmont of manufacturing industries which utilise,our raw materials and products. "." (S)-SETTLEMENT OP LAND.' (a) The enforcement of the existing laws against aggregation by .a small Department entrusted with that duty. Jb) A reorganisation of the Land Department by providing competent experts in practical farming and agriculture, and in the "making of country" in the Departments controlling the purchase, and subdivision of land for settlement.' ,- .. (c) A vigorous prosecution of the policy of acquiring largo estates for subdivision. . '(d) Encouragement to small farmers to form incorporated combinations for the purchase of land and the making of advances by the State to individual members guaranteed by the combination. Careful investigation, into; the, expediency of establishing 6ome system either by agricultural banks or through the State for providing reasonable financial advances to small farmers .on the security of and in anticipation of their growing crops or products. , N (7)-COST OF LIVING. (al The' establishment of a Board of Trade with more, extensive powers whose duty will be to watch the operations of trusts, rings, and combinations, and conditions which tend to increase the cost of living, and in the case of articles of necessity to examine tlie books or traders, whether wholesale or retail, and advise the Government thereon, for ro. ' medial purposes and the prompt publication of their investigations, tho evidence taken by thorn, and their reports. ■ (b) Constant and oloso attention to fuel, power, and transportation, . with ainplo powers of investigation and control to secure that tho public shall have efficient services at reasonable prices.- . (8)-PUBLIC WORKS AND ROADS. (a) Tho completion of railways partly constructed so that they may be rendered profit-earning. (b) Tho energetic, completion of hydroelectric power schemes. (c) A more satisfactory scheme for.the construction and maintenance of important main arterial ronds.' ■ (d) To promote the creation of larger local authorities for economical, administration, and to prevent the undue subdivision under existing laws of th« areas of local authorities. (a)' The abolition of the' wasteful and .inefficient system of triennial Parliaments and the substitution therefor of quinquennial Parliaments. (b) Larger constituencies returning each several members by a system of preferential voting. (c) Reform of the Upper House on an elective basis. (d) Provision for the admission lo the Cabinet, or to office in the Government, of men having special or expert knowledge in any particular subject for the timo being dealt with, although not members of the House. (lO)-IMMIORATION. Encouragement of suitable immigrants by free or assisted passages. (ll)-OLD-AGE PENSIONS. The repeal of the provisions providing for the reduction of pensions because of savings or earnings. The league does not desire to influence its members in their views upon the liquor question.