THE GOVERNMENT POLICY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 15, 13 October 1919, Page 6

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY

REFORM ELECTION PROGRAMME

f —— , NO BIDDING FOR POPULARITY

ABOUT NATIONALISATION

OF MINES

CASE AGAINST PARTY SQUABBLING

The Eight Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) announced on • Saturday the election programme of Hie Government. By way of introduction, Mr. Massey slated: "Various political policies havo been put. forward recently, and in publishing my ideas of what tho country requireSj I want it to be distinctly understood that I liave no intention of attempting to outbid other competitors for tho favour of the electors. I take the opportunity of submitting a policy which, in •my judgment, will be required by this country during tho difficult period of reconstruction and development upon which we have entered." The programme in detail is as follows:— THE PROGRAMME, 1. A sound Government with strong administrative capacity, clearly recognising its duty and, without fear or favour, party motive or personal interest, conscientiously doing its best for' the good, of the country and all its citizens. 2. Careful and economical administration by avoiding waste, and extravagance though without pairfiniony or the apest •of progress, thus ensuring to the ' taxpayer full value for his expenditure. 3. An immediate and a thorough reform of the system of both directand indirect* taxation so as to make it more equitable in its incidence, with a substantial reduction of taxation at' tho earliest possible date. 4. Sympathetic and generous treatment for our returned soldiers with special attention to the needs and interests of incapacitated and partially, ; disabled men and the dependants of those' who mado 'the-supreme sacrifice in the Great War. A board to be appointed who ! will deal with special cases of hardship. 5. Development of the Dominion by: (a) The speedy completion of railways and extension of transit 'facilities. , ' (b) The construction and improvement of roads and light railways for opening up back country; and (c) A comprehensive utilisation of national water power for electrical pur: poses ,in order to acceler&te industry,ahd improve civio conditions. C. Increasing the Dominion's output and. exports by energetic land settlement of both Crown and privately owned land, and providing facilities for increased production, including the encouragement of wheatgrowing iu order to make Now Zealand independent of other countries for its foodstuffs, and the profitable cultivation of swamp and arid areas, so as to make the fullest possible use of at present undeveloped: territory. This 'will involve taking such measures by legislation or otherwise as will prevent the holding of lands, fit for agricultural purposes, ip an unproductive condition.

■ 7. State assistance in marketing products by securing the best possible transport arrangements, either by State owned ships or otherwise, thus preventing exploitation of both producers and consumers. 1 .

8. Encouragement of industries in every possible way, but especially bj-— (a) Using up our own raw materials. ' (b). Encouraging the establishment of ironworks, shipbuilding, and ■ other secondary industries, with a.view to providing employment, for our people and avoiding a disadvantageous trado balance; and )

(c) Encouraging the fishing industry bv financial -assistance, for the purpose of providing cold storage and. up-to-date fishing vessels and gear—repayment to be on tho instalment system. The fishing interests of tho Dominion to be placed under one Minister-

9. Up-to-date shipping and mail services between New Zealand and' Great Britain through the Panama Canal. 10. Development and encouragement of New Zealand trade-with the islands of the Pacific.

11. Strengthening Imperial unity andrelations by doing our share in a sound scheme' of Imperial preference,! which will give British citizens in British countries the commercial and industrial advantages to which-they'are indisputably entitled, the principlo of Imperial preference to be applied to immigration in order to eliminate as far as possiblo dangerous alien interests and', influences. 12/ A vigorous and extensive housing scliemo intonded to • abolish slum areas and to effect a national improvement in tho housing of the'people both in town and country. More assistance to local authorities with the same object, and the limit of loans under the Advances to Workers Act and the .Workers'-Dwellings Act. to be increased to at least oCSOO in each case; at least ,£1,000,000 per annum to be urovided for this purpose. 13. Maintaining the approved principle of free, secular, and compulsory education. with full opportunity for our young people to take advantage of _ a thorough educational system, which must provide the best available technical, vocational,. domestic, and hygenic training facilities and equipment. Tho existing methods to be co-ordinated and simplified, and encouragement to be augmented bv an increase of bursaries, especially in subjects' of practical importance. Moro oncoiiragemont to be given to talented young men and women to induce them to enter the teaching profession. It. Every possible assistance by the State to maternity patients, such assistance to include expert treatment in the maternity hospitals and nursing homes, and tho services of trained, nurses for mothers who cannot, attend maternity institutions. with special instruction in the' proper treatment and care of infants bv methods such as those success- j fully adopted by the Plunket Society, and an extension of the system of district nurses . for back-block districts. 15. In order to encourage thrift, industry. energy, and enterprise a consistent observance of the principle that overv section of the community should receive its fair share ( of the community's earnings in proportion, to tho value of its services. lli. No reversion to political contro< of the Public Service, and more frequent regrading to bring and salaries of Government servants into line with the increased cost of living. . 17. Extension of the principle of exempting from incomo tax the heads of households in proportion to tho, number of children in each family. < 18. Amending tho system of military training to provide that it shall not interfere unnecessarily with tho industrial operations of the country. 1!). An arrangement with Great Britain and other British countries concerned for the nroper naval -protection of tho Pacific. 20. Tho provision of such legislation as may bo necessary to make imixissible tho operations of trusts and combines, either foreign or local, or any form of profiteering intended for tlie exploitation of either consumers or producers. 21. A vigorous immigration policy with substantial encouragement and assist-j ance to citizens of the United Kingdom who desire to emigrate to New Zealand and make their home here. 22. The small freehold policy to be maintained with sufficient safeguards against aggregation. 23. In the case of old-age pensions the bonus to be added to present rate, and this amount to be made statutory and permanent! • '

• 24. A reading scheme to be brought into operation by whiclr within a reasonable period good roads will be provided in every part of tho Dominion. 25. The telephone system to bo ex. tended and made specially availablo for settlers in the out districts. 2G. Re-afforesfivfion and tho planting of sand-dunes with suitable timber trees so as to provide for tlio future requirements of this country. *■

27. Practical State encouragement of town-planning schemes b.v civic and municipal bodies and organisations. 28. The consistent encouragement by educational and other means of practical patriotism, love of country, appreciation of British citizenship, pride in iiritaiu's record in peace and war, determination to make New Zealand a model British community, to keep it progressive and prosperous, enlightened and. selfreliant, self-respecting, industrious and independent, and always ready to do its duty in maintaining the principles of British nationhood. THE COAL MINES. "Thero are many other subjects thai might bo, mentioned. For instance, the proposed' nationalisation of coal mines.. Let mo say that on this question I have a perfectly open mind, but I have never yet had a clear explanation of what nationalisation of the coal industry means, even from its most enthusiastic, advocates. What I am thinking' of is this: There are vast coal-taring areas in this country, and it is quite certain that in years to come there mill be many times tho number of mines there are at present. Is the Government to take ovfr all this coal-bearing country and create 1 a. great State monoply? If so. I liave no hesitation in paying private enterprise will be crippled, and the last state of things will lie worse than the first. From, the miners' noint of view under private ownership there nre many mines willing to compete for Hie services of good , men. Under State ownership, there -would be no competition, but great possibilities for intrigue and favouritism. That the present state of things is not satisfactory goes without saving, but I believe improvement should go in the direction of providing 'better housing for the miners, better.' living conditions, and of {riving tho miners some consultative voice in tho control of the mines, especially where safety and comfort in'-working are concerned. ONLY ONE PARTY? "Then with regard to imrty matters, there seems to be a section of people both in Parliament and outside of it who .are anxious to get back to the old demoralising party, system, with all its iniquities and drawbacks. I know perfectly well no Government 1 can carry on without the support of a majority of Parliament. I know, also, that except under abnormal conditions such as were experienced during the war period there cannot, with satisfactory results, be two .parties in the Government. There need not be anything of the sort. _ There should be only one party, fi National Party—and lam not suggesting a name —a party working and held together with one object—that of promoting the welfare and prosperity of New Zealand. I know perfectlv well that the Bolshevists a«d T.W.W.'s, and others of that ilk. will fight me and those associated with ine, for all thev are worth. I do 'not want the. sunport of such people, and would not hold office if I were denendent upon them. But, speaking for those' who. as well as myself, have loyally and faithfully worked with me during seven strenuous years. I do want the support of, natriotie and right-think-ing citi7ens, whether their incomes are ten shillings a day or ten thousand nounds per annum,, and I am ouite. satisfied to leave our political fortunes in their hands."