REFORM POLICY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2501, 2 November 1922, Page 1

REFORM POLICY.

OUTLINED BY PRIME MINISSTER. In outlining the policy, the Prime Minister says: “With much of our 101!) programme already carried out the need still remains for — (.1). A strong Government, administering the affairs of the country with a due regard to its responsibility, actuated neither by party motive nor personal interest, and performing its duties without fear or favour. (2) Careful and economical administration by avoiding waste and ; extravagance, thus ensuring to the taxpayer full value for his expenditure. (3) Continued sympathetic and generous treatment for our returned soldiers* with special attention to the interests of incapacitated and partially disabled men, and the dependents of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. (4) The further development of the Dominion by — (a) A vigorous public works policy, ensuring the speedy completion of railways now tinder i construction. (h) The construction and improvement of the main highways of traffic and the establishment of motor and passenger lorry services in outlying districts, where the construction of railways ■ would be an unprofitable proposition, thus opening up the back country. - (c) The further extension of the hydro-electric schemes, utilising the vast national wafer powers for power and lighting purposes. , (d) The telephone system to he J still further extended and made specially available for the settlers in the out-dis-tricts. I (5) 'l'he encouragement of a self-reliant policy which, so far as food stuffs are concerned, will make New Zealand independent of out-' side supplies. (0). The profitable cultivation of waste, swamp, and arid areas, so as to make the fullest possible use of our present undeveloped territory and the prevention of occupied lands, fit for agricultural purposes, being held in an unproductive condition. (7) Increased shipping facilities for marketing our surplus products, with the best possible transport arrangements, the State to make sudli arrangements as will prevent the exploitation of both producer and con- i sinner. (8) Encouragement of industries in every possible way, but especially by—(a) Using up our own raw tna- ] ferial. (b) Encouraging the establishment of ironworks, ship- i building and other secondary industries, with a view to pro- ] vidiugr employment for our people and avoiding a disadvantageous trade balance; and (c) Aiding the fishing industry by financial assistance for the purpose of providing cold storage and up-to-date fishing vessels and gear —repayment to he made on the Instalment system. The fishing industry of the Dominion to be placed under one Minster. (!)). Encouragement of a well-thought-out system of profit-shar-ing as between employers and workers, where any such scheme may be brought into successful operation. (10) Up-to-date shipping and mail service between New Zealand and Great Britain. (11) The further development and encouragement of New Zealand trade with Australia and the Islands of the. Pacific. (12) The further development of preferential trade within the Empire, thus giving to British citizens in British countries the commercial and industrial advantages to which they are. indisputably entitled, the principle of Imperial preference to be maintained in immigration in order to eliminate as far as possible dangerous alien interests and influences and to further strengthen Imperial unity. (13) Continued assistance to local authorities and others with the object of effecting a national imi provement in the housing of the people both in town and country. ’ (14). Maintaining the approved ■ f principle of free, secular, and com- , pulsory education, with full opportunity for our young people to take 1 advantage of a thorough educational system which must provide the ’ best available technical, vocational, 1 domestic, and hygienic training facilities and equipment, (15). Every possible assistance, r by the State to maternity patients, (Concluded on page 4.)