UNITED POLICIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 11

UNITED POLICIES

DRASTIC CHANGES MADE BY LEADER

STATEMENT BY MR. DAVY Important divergences between the framed policy of the United Party and that later adopted by Sir Joseph Ward are stressed by Mr. A. E. Davy, formerly chairman of the United Party, in a statement made to THE SUN this morning. “With the zero hour in the Parnell by-election rapidly approaching I feel it my duty to point out certain things that may not be known to the general public, and which may assist it in its summing up,” says Mr. Davy. “I have dealt with the Hon. W. A Veitch, and it is my intention to deal now with the appeal that has been made by the United candidate, Mr. A. Donald, and by Cabinet Ministers, to give the United Government a chance to carry out its policy, or rather, to put it into effect,” he states. ‘ The amazing part about this plea is the length of time they require for this ‘opportunity,’ as a year and a-half has gone by without even the most elementary steps being taken. There are three distinct policies possessed by the United Party, two of which have been clearly enunciated, though one not publicly, and one, of practice. It would be necessary for the Government to define clearly w'hich one it intends to follow, and to repudiate the amazing contradictions and anomalies that are contained in the three policies.

“The public will remember that in September, 1928, the United organisation held a conference of candidates, when a policy was framed, and a leader selected. Shortly afterward, when Sir Joseph Ward had first joined the United party as its leader, he made a policy speech in the Auckland Town Hall, Unfortunately, no one was more surprised at this, and his £70,000,000, than the United Party candidates, and many campaign speeches based on the original policy had to be hastily revised or publicly contradicted. It speaks much for the autocracy of the leader that a large number of the rank and file sat silently and saw the fruits of a strenuous conference airily tossed aside. "Possibly one might have forgiven this had Sir Joseph Ward been satisfied to carry out his own policy. But he found it necessary, for political expediency no doubt, to make even more drastic and contradictory changes in the actual policy, such as it is, that he put into execution. “Prom these observations regarding the multiplicity of policies, it is natural to suppose that the United Party, in waving many flags, fights under none, and its real policy as indicated by its performance, is one of drift, concession and conciliation to the Labour Party, and general political expediency arising from the desire to retain office.

“Here arfe a few salient points of the policies of the United Party. Possibly it may be left to the public’s taste as to which it is supposed to give the Government the opportunity to fulfil. Possibly the Prime Minister may later indicate this, but of one fact he may be sure, no matter how drastic or unwise any possible changes, he need fear no opposition from his Cabinet colleagues. I give him that assurance unhesitatingly. FINANCE “Original policy as drawn up by candidates: The United Party pledges itself to bring about economy in Government. It will earnestly strive to keep borrowing within reasonable limits. More Parliamentary control will be exercised in respect of this, and the present system, whereby vast sums are expended which sums are not included in the Estimates, should cease. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy as announced in the Town Hall: The raising of £70,000,000 over a period of 10 years by the issue of Government bands at 4| per cent, at £95 a £IOO. The money to be lent to settlers and workers at 4g per cent and 1 per cent, sinking fund for 32J years. This transaction not to cost the country one penny additional taxation. A strange coincidence was the fact that a candidate at the United Conference before this put forward an almost identical scheme. It was ■then considered to be impossible and not meriting serious consideration. The actual policy is well known. Wild and uneconomical borrowing, reckless squandering and none of the reforms mentioned even attempted. The three policies are in direct contradiction. RAILWAYS Original policy: Before any authorisation of any railways is made a thorough investigation will be made ; nto its economic potentialities and an alternative of a modern road will be reported upon by Parliament. Any present authorisation of lines not commenced shall also be reported upon. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy: We will lay down definitely by Act of Parliament “authorised long lines of railways” in both Islands and provide £10,000,000 for expenditure. The cost of the whole lines should be ascertained without delay and they should be put in hand without delay. The actual policy shows the commencing of new works and the cessation of old without proper inquiry as to their possibilities or alternatives. Again direct conflietion. LAND SETTLEMENT Original policy: The United Party will apply a policy of closer settlement of suitable Crown and. if necessary. private lands, with vigour and determination. Suitable Crown lands will be roaded and opened to intending settlers on the most favourable terms. It further provides for settlement under the zone and group system, details being given for the assistance of intending settlers. Farm workers’ settlements to be provided for, with a roading policy designed to assist in opening up settlements, particularly Crown lands. The actual policy so far has been the acquisition of large estates at very high prices, and in many cases the settling of a very small number at an enormously disproportionate cost. To be exact, 150 settlers at a cost of £564,000. Thirty-three settlers were bought out. leaving an approximate cost of £4,500 a settler. Sir Joseph

Ward’s confidence prediction that in ten years we would have gained 400.000 in population makes the position most interesting if a suitable proportion of ! these are to go on the land at a like cost. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, speaking in Auckland, stated that he believed that the future of land settlement lay in the Auckland Province. To prove this, he has bought, if sums and acreage are any indication, a very substantial portion of the South Island. UNEMPLOYMENT Original policy: As a permanent : solution a progressi\e land settlement policy, together with a steady developi ment of the Dominion’s manufacturing industries. For its immediate relief a vigorous policy of roading will bo inaugurated, financed from the unexpended balances of the Main Highways Board account. Sir Joseph Ward's policy: Similar, in the first two respects, but a vigorous policy of completing all main railways in place of the roading scheme. What has been done is well known. Xo assistance to manufacturing industries, a mere 150 settlers on the land, and an extravagant palliative that may ultimately aggravate the position. In desperation the unemployed insurance scheme is being talked of. the last gesture of inability to find a definite solution. TAXATION Original policy: The immediate revision of the scacle of income-tax, making it more equitable in its inci- ■ dence. The present high rate on company taxation will be reduced and finally repealed. The Customs taxation should be based on the reduction of the cost of living. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy: Much as above, with the addition that those food supplies not locally provided were to be put on the free list. Xo reduction or revision whatsoever in taxation has been made. An extremely clumsy attempt has been made to tax the large landowner, the tax being most inequitably applied. Au increase in primage duty which cannot be justified, as it penalises breadwinner and merchant alike. PUBLIC WORKS Original policy: For greater efficiency and economy the Public Works Department will be reorganised under three divisions Tailway, roads, hydro-electricity and other public works. The departmental heads will be subject to a board of control of works, comprising two specially qualified engineers and one qualified ac- j countant. The Minister in charge of the department will be head of the board. Works programmes will be arranged with regard to employment available, in order that a balance may be maintained as between time of prosperity and depression. Sir Joseph Ward: Raising money for public works by the sale of Government Bonds, £10,000,000 for railways alone. Actually the Public Works Department is controlled as autocratically as before, but not by the Minister, despite

what Mr. W. Dee Martin. Labour M.P.* | has to say in his praise. DEFENCE Original policy: The Territorial ! system will be maintained and reI modelled as a national disciplinarian [ measure. ! Sir Joseph Ward: The Territorial system will be maintained. Actually, this has beeu directly contradicted and today, in the can- | cellation of the territorial camps ami the probable cessation of the territorial system, we have a disgraceful exhibition of the Government dancing to a Socialist tune, with the Labour Party duly celebrating its “victory.” Briefly, other broken promises and acts of expedience are the establishment for the South Island of a weekly mail and passenger service with Australia. and the heavy subsidising of this; the failure to provide for elective control boards: the failure to institute the cheque system in savings banks: the failure to apply the Flock Hous** system to New Zealand boys; no promised industrial legislation: continue tion of departmental control and Orders-in-Council to a worse degree much talked about education and nothing done; continued interference in private enterprise; and no assist ance to boys leaving school to find a vocation. The provision for agricultural schools and classes, and the cooperation with the trades unions regarding this has never been attempted In summing up. one should not lose sight of the fact that every Cabinet Minister, with the exception of the Hon. H. A, Atmore (who did not join until a portfolio was offered) was present and assisted to frame the original policy of the party, and were pledged to its support. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy, which varied very greatly and divergently, is in reality bis own, and I do not know whether the Cabinet is pledged to carry this out also. The actual policy that is being put into effect, however, is different yet again from those before, so it is really difficult to know where the United Government stands. Th ft Government would be well advised to make its plea on another score. I for one could scarcely give the Government a chance to carry out that which It is doubtful it has, said Mr. Davy, and is certainly hazy as to its exact meaning.