If I Were Prime Minister—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 8

If I Were Prime Minister —

THE SUN is offering a prize of £lO for the best repip to the Question; “What Would 1 Do if I Were Prime Minister?” To-day tee publish the eighth of the entries. The competition is “open to ell comers/' and closes on October 20.

W. G. TAYLOR.

If I were Prime Minister of New Zealand and had under my command such an overwhelming majority as is now enjoyed by Mr. Coates I would inaugurate many changes in the existing laws. In my opinion one of the most vital problems at present confronting the country is unemployment. It is a matter which requires much judicious handling and serious consideration. In a young and vigorous country, however, there should be no such problem as unemployment. In a land so richly endowed with all the natural resources and enjoying such a wonderful climate, there should be work for double the population. I would institute a vigorous land policy whereby intending settlers, would be enabled, without capital, to

take up farming. My slogan would be “Go on the land.” Of course it would be essential to secure the right type of settler—men who, if given the chance, would make good. By judicious selection on the part of the Lands Department no trouble would be experienced on that score. Given a proper incentive to work, few men fail. Crown Lands would be opened up, offered at a nominal sum, and money would be advanced for the purpose of providing - stock, chattels and buildings. Works of national importance would also be inaugurated. It will be said that all this would take money, but by drastic curtailment of the Defence Forces (reversion to voluntary system) and Naval expenditure, and by an all-round economy campaign, no difficulty would be experienced in providing the money. The increased production and exports and consequent stimulation of trade caused by closer land settlement would in a very short time amply reimburse the Treasury for any money expended in the direction mentioned. Steps would be taken to abolish that home for the worn-out or rejected politician, the Legislative Council —an institution which costs the taxpayers thousands of pounds annually to no purpose. The Upper House is a comfortable haven of refuge and rest for its occupants, but it is rather an expensive luxury to the poor overburdened taxpayer. On an average this House sits but a few moments weekly and usually a dozen Bills are passed in as many minutes. It is right against the democratic principles which prevail in the Dominion that legislation which has been passed by the elected chamber should even run the risk of being rejected or revised by the Upper House. Then, on the other hand, a House of which the members are appointed by the Government in power, always affords the possibility of a seat being obtained as compensation for some past help or favour previously given to the Government. No, the Upper House would be abolished at the first opportunity. I think the financial situation could

be eased considerably by the Government taking over the whole of the shares of the Bank of New Zealand, or alternatively the conversion of the Post Office Saving Bank into a full fledged commercial bank. The conversion of the Post Office Bank could be undertaken by a simple piece of legislation. The facilities are all there and if we possessed a completely State-owned bank the finances of the country could be put on a more satisfactory basis. Money would be made to move more freely and easier finance would be available at a cheaper rate to the settler or worker. As head of the Government I would bring the broadcasting stations under the absolute control of the State. At present the Post Office does most of the work, such as furnishing the company with ’ radio inspectors and collecting all licence fees; in short all the work, except providing the programmes, and all for a very small percentage of the licence fees. Without additional expense, except the purchase money, the Post Office could take over the whole concern. The money earned would be spent in providing better entertainment for the public—the people who pay. I would separate the liquor question from politics altogether. A poll would be taken every six years on a straightout issue, with a bare majority, between National Continuance and National Prohibition. The six-yearly poll would give the liquor trade a more secure tenure, and the bare majorityissue would be acceptable to the prohibitionists.

The many Royal Commissions which cost the people such enormous sums and the findings of which are usually' shelved, would be a thing of the past under my regime. There are enough Cabinet Ministers, highly paid men, to govern the country without recourse to innumerable commissions.

Another practice which has developed during the last few years is the sending of Government officials on a pleasant little tour round the world at the country’s expense, supposedly to gain useful experience and information. Beneficial results very rarely accrue from these jaunts; and in some cases a man who has probably only’ a year or two to run before being retired on superannuation is selected for a tour abroad. When he returns, the knowledge gained, if any, is, upon his retirement, lost to the community. Distinguished overseas visitors who are usually more than wealthy enough to pay their way are, as a rule, the guests of the Government, and a rather large sum is appropriated annually for their entertainment. A drastic tightening-up in this direction would be undertaken immediately. Of course * discretion would have to be used and national heroes such as the Tasman flyers would not come under this category. The hours observed by the House of Representatives require attention. In my' opinion a sitting should never extend beyond 10 p.m. Members cannot be expected honestly and conscientiously to consider vital matters at two or three in the morning. Businessmen or company directors are not found directing their businesses at such hours, and there is no reason why our legislators should be called upon to do so. Parliament could commence at an earlier hour in the day. The iniquitous practice of introducing contentious measures by Orders-in-Council is developing at an alarming rate and would at once be curtailed. In my opinion the present system of Government is entirely wrong, and, no matter which party* is in power, be it Reform, Uppos or Labour, the desired end will not be reached until we return men to Parliament, not on account of the party to which they belong, but for their personal worth alone.

A man or woman should be returned solely on his or her merits, and the selecting of a Prime Minister and his Cabinet should then be decided by the members themselves. The party system is a curse and unfortunately it is creeping into local body politics. Party Government is obsolete. It is necessary that we should do all in our power gradually to evolve a non-party system of controlling the destinies of the Dominion, not for the benefit of any particular class or creed, but for the good of the whole of the people, of the most wonderful little land on the face of the earth.