REFORM POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1925, Page 4

REFORM POLICY.

-MR COATES’ '.M AXIFESTO. WELLINGTON, October 2. The Prime .Minister to-day issued the following manifesto:—

The electors of the Dominion will shortly be called upon to decide upon what principles and policy the new Parliament is to act in safeguarding and developing the interests of the people of New Zealand. The coming election will be one of the most important in the history of the Dominion. It must decide grave issues. The world today is In a state of ominous unrest, industrial and political. The British Empire stands as a bulwark of world freedom, and it is against the stability of the Empire that the assaults of Communism are made. In many countries incessant efforts are being made to aggravate class conflict, and to bring about revolutionary upheavals, .subversive of social order and civilisation. Fortunately, our own democracy in Xcw Zealand lias been characterised by sound, sober, political instincts, llitherto ii has refused to be-Led astray by false doctrines, and has earned for the Dominion a world-wide reputation for sound government, and advancement

in social welfare. 1 appeal with confidence to the electors to support the policy of the Government which seeks to eliminate all causes of class warfare and bitterness, to promote the well-being of the whole community, to strengthen and develop our Imperial rclations'iitis, to make New Zealand an example of what, a healthy, industrious democracy can he. The programme of the Government is designed to achieve these ends. We stand for the stability and safety of the State and the Empire, for security of the individual, for toleration, for equal opportunity for all, for order and peace in the community. “.More business in Government, and less Government in business “—that is our slogan. A brief statement of some of the Government’s aims is submitted for the consideration of electors:Found tinance must always constitute the firm foundation of good government. Our heavy war debt renders it doubly important that we should proceed with the utmost caution. Nevertheless, borrowing is necessary t" complete our large hydro-electrical undertakings, our railway system, irrigation. and other developmental works. It is hoped to reduce our external borrowing gradually, and to rely increasingly on local loans, and surplus rove title to attain those objects. The Goveium-'iil has in recent years applied strict business methods in its various de'iart ment s. has eliminated political influence in the distribution ol Governments grants, lias coiiccnl rated on the completion of works in order ol their importance, and has decentralised as lar a> practicable adlliinistrattvi authority. These principles will he adhered to and extended. Thus taxpayers will g,q full value for the fund with which thev provide the national exchequer. It will he the earnest endravotti of the Government to investigate thor otjghly the incidence of taxation, witli the object of placing the burden upon the shoulders of those who are best able to bear it. Indirect taxation through the Customs is also being explored with a view to ascertaining to what extent the cost, of living can ha further reduced bv this means, whils! at the same time affording adequate protection to local industries. F'ronouticed activity in land settlement extension has been hampered in recent years owing to tin* luct that tinprimary industries have been slowly recovering from the unexampled depression of I'tg’l. The return to stability in export values enables the Government to anticipate a demand which will justify the lontiinmiis purchase ol suitable lands for subdivision and scl I lenient. Ihe Government proposes that a general survey of Ih" unoccupied la ml- in Ihe Dumiuion will lie underial.eii i order to ascertain what areas are capable of iirolituble production. with a view to (he settlement of such lands. There are .till hire- aiea - of swamp lands capable oi development, hut in order to obtain a better understanding ol llm relationship between expenditure and the ultimate true value oi the bind, seaivliing investigation will require to he made of the areas now in course oi development. Tim M-t i lenient o| our piiniii e lauds is another problem to be laced in the near future. It is proposed to take in hand a considerable area for experimental purposes, along; sound farming lines, so that the Government may be in a position to discuss with the Im-

I'erial authorities tinder the overseas settlement seheme, tie- possibility of developing these aims. The ireeiiolt! tenure, fur which the Reform Rally has always stood, is io he maintained, ii so desired !>v Crown tenants, and extended to all classes

ot State rural lea-ahold lands, while at the same till* ' i: is intended to cnael still mote iidetpiate provisions again-t the possibiiilv of age toga t ion. On the one hand inducements hv tvtiv of assistance in 111: u 1 i . etc. will lie nll’ered to those desiring to suhdivide private lands which are suitable tor closer settlement, while on the other hand, diould vuluntaiy methods fail, the Covernnicni will not liesitale lo malte use of tlie eominil-oii clauses in the Act in older to secure sticli land for subdivision.

I mprai i icalile la in! j entires framed by Socialists and Istui-i*’(ii theorist must he Opposed. Km outayeiuelil will he 11 lie red to lenders !*► invest their capital upon sound rural securities.

A- time em's on. anil the soil ~f NYw /calami loses its virginal fertility, there is greater need tor more -eieiititie tanning method- Recognising tin-, the ( luv eminent recently deputed the Hoard of Agriculture l*i eni|tiire

inli) s\ ;• -m nl' < <!ll>ri<m in : t ;i > icult it 1 1'. In meet tin. ddliruit \ . The Roan I Inis recommended ii>- es. liihlishniem of a college nl .*i_-.-;cu-ulim-o in :i i cm nil _mi-.it ion. the extension of the tiei'Oiiiiiioihilion at 1 .i)i<•■)!11 ( elleoo, the develnjmien I nl farm training sekools I'nr lad' such as that at Ruakura. an increase in the number nl agricultural instructors throughout the I)..minimi, an,l tlm encouragement of I lie s( mlv til agriculture l.v school cltliireii. A comment emeiit ha - already been H ide, ami eoncl'ete tnopo-als cm-I bracing tlie whole lielii ni agricultural eiiltcat ion are now being cnreinllv considered. The (Aovcrmnoni de-ires that whatschenn- will he of such a ehat'actei' as will teadilv assist the primary producers. and be a hn.uu-ial success. Accordingly. arrangement - have been

made for a commission, consisting of three gentlemen, possessing special qualification:-;, to go abroad to investigate. and to report their recommendations. Urn- is a representative of rep tie appointed from the farming community, and one a gentleman of experience from the lommereial community, whilst, the third member is the Financial Adviser to Treasury.

To maintain unimpaired our loyal adherence to the King and the Empire. to s,-,-k l v all practical means t. strengthen and develop Imperial unity by improved means of consultation, by tiirilt preference, by adequate contribution' to Imperial detem c. I lie malign influences winch, are at work the undermine and destroy the Empire must be exposed and combated i! we are to preserve our great heritage which to-day i- such a potent- inductile is preserving the peace ol the world. ’bn support and ns.xi.sT the Teague to extend its sphere of inlluenec with a view to building up international goodwill ami concord. Tlic policy of the Government is to encourage seiolidary industries suitable. to Xew Zealand, by reasonable tar ill protect ion. and by tin- collection and distribution of inlormat ton through the Department id ludustiie-. and Commerce. ’! he land is designed so a-- to draw the largest items ol revenue from luxuries, to provide a tree breakfast table, and exemption irom taxation as far as possible id all items of necessity. By other items in. the tariff, encouragement is aflorde.l be.il industries, but not on such a high scale as to create monopoly or to exempt such industries front reasonable competition. The Government stands for the suppression of trusts, combines, and monopolies inimical to the public interests. Our present immigration policy is working smoothly. It is proposed to continue it. and to s! rettgl hen the organisations at Home now undertaking the work of .-election. si as to maintain a go :l class at immigrant to the j),,minion. Tim average number ol assisted immigrants is about KUrsO nor vear. Fin - criti's alb-go that this number i-- too targe; ut-a-rs that it is too ■ -mil. Experience shews that abonl 10.00:1 can bo absorbed annually wit’miil creating unemployment. Ihe number will b* increased as eireumsfames warrant, and housebuilding operations (whether by private enterprise or municipal or Government activities) become more adequate. Although in the past six years New Zealand luis probably done more than any other country to remedy the shortage of houses, lurther otlurts must be ve,pi moot tin- needs of our increasing pnpulat ion in this respect, and to eliminate slum conditions irt/Mtl our cilies. This is necessary for a healthy environment rod the cultivation oj good citizenship among tlm younger generation of our nenple. Xot only will the State give direct assistance, hut private enterprise ami bn ill authj critics will also he encouraged to engage upon the business of home-build-ing for wage-earners. It. is prnp-sed to provide greater allowance's for those injured, and for the dependents <0 those who be-- their lives while carrying out their daily This vear the Government has added iIioO.KOA to the pensions of our aged people. Widows and orphans ■have also been greatly assisted. lluquestion id universal pensions, wiiich w ill give a fair "assurance against sickness and unemployment. now being explored. It is honed to Revise a practicable, sat i-faetory scheme. The Government recognises that while wages are lixed by the Arbitration Couri on the assumption that a man has a wilt- and two children, lli.e,- wage-earner- who.se families exceed that number must hud it dimetllt to make ends meet. Ihopo-als I > nice! this diliieitlty have been put forward. The Government will examine ! In-in carefully, with a view to linindg --eme mean- of helping the worker, so that large families will hr -tte-iuragcd and mu discouraged. The Government I eiiovos that a community we!! trained and educated will make tor national ellaieuv and safety, and the present progressive police will I" maintained and f“ in - fort-ed. s.|i;- i-,.-forms being made in

1 1 iL'; 11< r ■ -iliU‘:ii«•->!i »s will ensure the !i, -,i t r;i i iri > iv: of every student aernrdi ULi !•> hi- hent. miller t him for the mere pa-sine of external exami mii ion.;1 1 (l! i e the old t I'll (1 i 1 i"tl It I Helldemie I] lie-. .Murlied progress h:i- heen made m (he lleiillh Ileoiirtmeiil in deniili;; with disease epideiiiieand in the extension of our ho-nital.-. het]i maternity and oe 11 era I. There will he no relax item of eil.in in any of these direct ions, the !hiveniinenl’s endeavour h. iirr In placethe l.eii 11 !i of the ennmimitv on the hiphe-l | -os-i Isle level. A thoroueh eotnplete reorganisation of oar men iit I liospib.d- Inis been already eiilered upon. Malerial improvemeiiis will he all'eeied in their mamigoment and in the methods adopted lor trentnie'ai of patients in sneh inslitni ell's. \et lie.; on the priiieiplo that prevention i- l-etter than i tire, pe lie runs Gover li nil si t. resistanee will ho rontinnod t h roiiv.li the medium of the Blanket Mieieties. and e.—eniial information and help given to the young mother on earlv iiil.mt life. Work ha- also heen hegnn and i allied on iviih '.treat sneeess hy dental eliiiies, established for the treatment of se!v>| eliiidren. and hy mediea.l examin.'ition- u liieii are eomlueled in l erta.iu -< liools from time to time. The extensions u? Jr:ith ->■ tents, and their more vigorous proxoeution will Ik* part and pan el of tho polity nj the Govern.' meuti.

|-,ir ifi- purpose not only of creming; urea ter cojilidenee in local body projects. 101 l of safeguarding the country's credit, ami to deride what are remunerative work.';, or those which are essential in the host interests of local Indies, it is proposed to set up a Local Government Rutin!. I have made no attempt to set forth a spectacular programme involving vast .-unis of money and wholesale expenditure. I can make not Inn.-it id promises. To do so would l.e lo produce a mere chimera of false and illu-.iry hop,*. K sperieiirv has demonstrated that reasonable and steady social progress must In- based on prudent iinauee. I believe, as a native-born New Zealander. that it the electors will .--import the Government in its endeavour to develop tlie llominion mi sound, steady lines of progress, we shall succeed in

Imildin;; tij> a Strong, viriilc .11reliain n.'iii.ii i.u y. uhi.h will still !.lrt Ilf i- .■iicli.-im Ihe 1 1 i1 1 1 .-(.lit:.! iull thal mu r.im.iry i n |uy-, in t In- ,b tin' v,orM. 1 11 ills- i'l.ri-lr.’iii •ii ..in ■ r.ii iii ;im- i In- bodr.ii k pi iiirip!.--mil i<ilinl -ali'l y and pr,>p;i’i‘ssi\d. veli>| >: 11 . *ii t. Ilrii' in thi-, five count'll, hniiiil il'ully endowed a- it i- In a H'enlili of natural iT-mirce-. a livalt h-a ivi n<r idiinnft*, and an outi-r|>risinjj; jx-op!*-. we an- I.U'-fl M i 111 no (liliirilliy I'aria lor in-,lll-trial pi'nMi'iii- Mil'll a- ulii'i'l'i nl'al.'ly alilii i oiluar li'.---lavoiii , i.'d i ■ iiniiinitii io>. IVrind- ol depression and linrd limes liavo certainly occurred in mir lii-ioiy. kill v e have always Mlceecded ill willnino through. With lla- I'oinjilt'iion ill lb.- amliil ion, scheme- m deVelnpnien: mm- in hand, emhrucino hydru-cleeti'i-i-ity. imi'iuioii. improved nii'aii- ■.] pommiiiiiriiiion by railways. road- and briiloi'.- «i' -hall have provided fur ill'.' I'VC'l'-oi'o'.vma; populaiiun ol tin- Doliiinioii I'aeiliiii'-- tor tdieir ..uiin'ort ami prosperity a! a ro.-t which compare- lavuui'ai.ly wiili any oilier part ol the '.vorld. certainly under much inure hmcti.eiH condition.-.”