NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1921, Page 3

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

i PLATFORM OUTLINED. 1 WELLINGTON, May 6 The “New Zealand National Re- * view,” which claims credit for the es- ! tablishment of the new party in poli- ' tics—the National Progressive a.nd I Moderate Labour Party, of which Mr Statham, M.P., is recognised as the head —in its last issue makes the fol- ! lowing statement: — I “A calm and critical survey of the present political situation discloses the Reform Party in power with a strong and disciplined following, but with no definite platform or policy in keeping with the party name. What remains of the once great Liberal Party is "now almost a negligible item. Shattered and disunited, it is an official Opposition in name only, and many of its former adherents have warmly welcomed the advent of the new party, and will find under its banner room for all progressive forces. Apart from these two old parties is a substantial number of independent members prepared to support a platform of definite progressive reform. Bitterly opposed to all these we find one organised party offering the country a definite platform—the socalled‘‘Official’ Labour Party. Their

destructive policy, as every right-think-ing elector realises, is one of - disaster for the Dominion.

“The platform and programme adopted by the party covers g whole range of socinl and economic reforms, and does so in a radical manner. It provides for the Cabinet being elected by members of the House, instead of being left to the vagaries of one individual, or some party clique, which may or may not happen to be in power at the time. A great financial reform is the establishment of a State Bank, with a monopoly of issuing paper money. Its value from an economic and business standpoint includes a superannuation scheme to cover every citizen, irrespective of income, and increased pensions to widows and incapacitated workers. The platform advocates a comprehensive scheme of land settlement, with an efficient and vigorous road policy, which is essential to any thoroughly effective settlement of the land. Tn the matter of public health, which has loomed so largely in the public eye during the epidemic, the party is pledged to organise an efficient medical service, with free nurses and State dispensaries. Free maternity homes, and a comprehensive housing scheme are all much needed reforms urged by the party in the interests of public health. State aid to young industries and established ones which need it, should go far to building up new factories and industries, opening ii]) now avenues of employment, and providing us with essentials which have now to be imported from thousands of miles away. Vigorous afforestation and the development of the enormous waterpower in this country, almost uiitoinlied. are urged, so that cheap electric power may be made available throughout the Dominion. The urgent and paramount importance of education is well realised. The platform adopts the principle of free education with free school books from primary schools to university, and midday meals at a small cost. The value of the teaching profession is to be recognised by a reorganisation of tho system, and increasing the salaries of what is undoubtedly the worst paid profession in the country in proportion to its importance.”