PRIME MINISTER'S MANIFESTO

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 275, 14 November 1908, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER'S MANIFESTO

TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND. THE GOVERNMENT'S FUTURE POLICY. By Telegraph .—Press Association. Wellington, Lost Night. The Prime Minister has issued a manifesto to the people of the Dominion dealing with the period during which the Liberals have been in office. He enumerates the legislative progress that has been made, and reminds electors how the Liberal legislation was opposed throughout. "Conservatism," he says, "has had its day in New Zealand. We know what it did; we know what it sought to do; we know what it would do again if it could." Progressive Liberalism, bassd on the 'principle that the State should have a larger part and kindlier feeling for its people than the "policeman policy" of the past, gave the land for settlement legislation, advances *o settlers and workers, remissioa of rents and other concessions in times of stress; labor laws to secure fair wages; better treatment of the weak, the injured, the aged; infant life protection; compensation for accidents; and old-asrt pensions. Progressive Liberalism had clung to til* policy of adjusting the burd«n to the back, by abolishing Customs duties on necessaries of life and imposing a graduated land-tax. Progressive Liberalism would do much more if encouraged by the electors' confidence. It would enable willing settlers to obtain freehold farms of limited areas by the land finance system; provide a universal annuity scheme based on sound financial lines; help workers' wives with medical aid and skilled nursing in ma- / teraity cases; push on with settlement of surplus native land and administer measures on the Statute-book for the promotion of progress and the advancement of every class of the community. Sir Joseph Ward concludes: "The vital importance to all classes in the. Dominion of having our country's business prosecuted so as to assist maintenance oi that prosperity it has enjoyed mint l be self-evident, and a strong anil courageous Government is no unimportant factor ia helping this on. I feel that the active employment of our people and the opening up of additional avenues for work and investment and the exclusion of our commercial boundaries is a goal that is worthy of our best efforts. It is to be regretted that while the Government has steadfastly pursued such a policy there have been go many sinister efforts made to damage the country's financial fabric. I would again repeat for your assurance tint all our .public financial engagements have been provided for for many months ahead, and the moneys required for carrying on our public works hai'cj been arranged for on most satisfactory terms. What we require is faith 'n ourselves and our country, and, having this, I am certain that our future is bright with hopes."