COUNTRY PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1933, Page 8

COUNTRY PARTY

PLATFORM CHANGES DECIDED M a- UPON. EMPHASIS ON CURRENCY. AUCKLAND, February 20. Important alnendments to the political platform of the Country Political Le.ague were made at the annual convention held in Auckland last week. Mr A. A. Moss, 1 president, presided, and Mr H, M. Rush brook, 1 member tor the Bay of Islands, was present.

The candidates’ pledges’ were altered to give greater liberty in ■ voting, though candidates are to be responsible to the central executive if they voto contrary to any caucus decision. It was decided that credit and currency control should be according to a. policy laid down by Parliament in a manner to keep money in strict ratio to production oh sale, the actual administration to be in the hands or experts. In regard to land settlement it was decided tunt rt snouid he in the direction of profitable farming which would follow settlement oh the monetary and tariff questions. Consolidation of all branches of the rural lending departments into an agricultural bank is another provision. Restoration of an amended system of arbitration is sought in lieu of settlement of industrial 'disputes by force, but it is stipulated that wherever possible all parties concerned in any dispute are to be represented, including consumers.

’The party considers that those railways, the construction of which is at present stopped, should be reviewed. Two'’other planks are: “That diplomatic suggestion be made to induce external creditors of the nation to accept interest and repayment in terms of the average value of New Zealand’s exports, as at these dates on which the debits were incurred; and that internal money values be established and 'maintained on that level which shall provide maximum average justice between long-term debtors and creditors.”