STATMENT OF POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1931, Page 8

STATMENT OF POLICY

THE COUNTRY’S WELFARE. It is obvious to every earnest stud- ’ emt,-of the Political situation, 'tluit the%ountry is facing a great National, Economic and Political crisis, and the position calls for all parties to lay aside every thought of Party advantage, and join in a common effort to bring the country back to a state of prosperity. The offer submitted by the Rt. Hon. Mr Forbes, Prime Minister, to Mi Coates, his party, and others, to join hands in the lormation of a National Government, having been rejected bj the Reform Party, and the Prime Minister’s acceptance of the position, leaves the field clear for further suggest-

ions. We venture to suggest an alternative—namely, that immediately upon Parliament being summoned, me Government should resign, and the whole House of Representatives then choose a Cabinet, which Cabinet would in turn choose its Leader. Ihe idea ot an elected Cabinet is not new, and there may he objections to such a course being adopted, hut ii the matter were considered by members lay- | ing aside their Party view-point and , concentrating on the National need, it is-probable that a very satisfactory i Cabinet could be chosen to deal with the situation with which the country is confronted to-day. We lurther suggest that the Cabinet he reduced to ten Members,, including one from the Legislative Council ; (obviously this would he a real economy).- With the practical f elimination of the Portfolios of Railways and I Defence (both Departments being now almost nomnial), and a re-arrangi-ment of Portfolios, we do not think there would he any difficulty in tin’s ; respect. We are also of opinion that in order to further economise, the personnel o the Legislative Council, as soon as vacancies occur, should be reduced to not more than thirty members. ! It appears to- us that there are at least five outstanding questions, which can only he dealt with success! ully by a United Parliament. /r . (1) The position of oiiryjfarmers toI day, because of economic; stress, is | seriously; hampered, and, many are likely to be forced o(F the , land. To meet this situation, we, think mom drastic, measures, than anything hitherto attempted, will necessarily have to he devised and enforced, i (2) The unemployment, question has so developed as to be a grave menace to til© national welfare, and unless an improvement is effected, the present method of affording relief must inevitably break;down. t (3) The question of finance is so interwoven with the above matters, which must he faced, that it would be impossible to prepare a Budget until they are dealt with. Finance is therefore our third item of importance. (4) The fourth item of Policy that calls for consideration is tins development of industry,; and we consider that many further industries could ho established' {successfully., in - New Zealand. -Every avenue should-,be explored, whether it ho Land. Settlement, Mining; 'Development, Carbonisation, ot Coal, Goldmining, .Dredging,, etc., etc. The question of. encouraging British 1 Manufacturers to establish branch plants in the Dominion,, for careJ ful study, and close investigation: (for instance, Motor Tyre .Manufacture, and the production of Motor Spirit from Crude Oil). ! Canada has been most successful in i getting industries established, and we can surely follow, to some extent, in the footsteps of our greater sister Dominion. * These suggestions, if given effect j to, would not. only provide employ- ! ment for our men, but would help to provide work for women as well: we are certain, that much could be done in these directions, hut considerable | enterprise on the part of Parliament : would be necessary, i (5) The fifth important matter for consideration of the new Parliament to be established, would be the apI pointment oi a delegation to attend the I British Economic Conference to he hgld at Ottawa this year. This Conference is really a continuation of the last Imperial Conference, (which proved such an utter failure), and the deliberations aqd conclusions. arrived at may mean, either the continuation or downfall of the British Commonwealth, To emphasise this point we might refer to the serious competition we are facing, and the still more threatening competition looming up in our principal market (Britain), in connection with the products which we export, and upon which our Dominion relies for economic existence—this competition coming from Nations with a much lower standard of living than our own. The kick of co-ordination at nresent, existing between the various self-gov-erning Dominions, leading to a state of trade war and antagonism, are clear indications of the position into which we are drifting as a Commonwealth of British Nations.

C. A. WILKINSON, M.P. (Egmont) J. S. FLETCHER, M.P. (Grey Lynn), G. C. C. BLACK, M.P: Alofueka), (Independent Members of Parliament)