THE LIBERAL POLICY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2501, 2 November 1922, Page 3

THE LIBERAL POLICY.

OUTLINED BY AIR WTLFORD.

During an address at Petone last night, Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, outlined the Liberal policy as follows. — A declaration for a United Empire. Constitutional methods of economy in public finance and the establishment of a State Bank. Extension of the operations of the Advances Department. Electoral Reform. Industrial reform, including the giving of the workers a voice on the line of the Whitley councils; encouragement to secondary industries; to maintain and improve the arbitration system, with special tribunals for the settlement of disputes in the Public Service. Education. —No further centralisation, special consideration for the baekblocks, the teaching of fewer subjects, and the supply of school books at cost price. Ron ding and Settlement. — All Crown land to be held on an optional tenure, with drastic provisions against aggregation; the promotion of closer settlement; also the more vigorous settlement of native lauds, the revaluation of soldiers’ lands, reduction of interest in cases of hardship. Defence expenditure to lie kepi down to the lowest limit consistent, with national safety. Shipping legislation to enable the Government and producers to establish their own line. Vigorous prosecution of roads, railways, hydro-electric and other reproductive works. Drastic reorganisation of the -whole railway system, with a reduction of fares and freights; the appointment of a Railway Board. A comprehensive housing scheme. The encouragement of the co-op-erative marketing of the .Dominion’s products and re-organisation ~f ihe experimental farm system. Immediate judicial enquiry into trusi.-N or associations which control banking, petrol, tobacco, woollens, etc., with adequate punishment for profiteers. Special consideration for persons will) families, invalids, pensioners, and generally the promotion of humanitarian legislation such as has it 1 ways marked I lie great traditions of the party.