Government's Policy

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 141, 7 November 1914, Page 8

Government's Policy

SOMETHING- FOR KVERYONIi. PIILUE MINISTER'S MANIFESTO. U/ Telegraph.—l'er Press Association. Wellington, last Night, in a manifesto issued 10-liight,' Lhe I'vaiie Minster states the iirst plunks in the platform of tin: Reform .Party is that Now Zealand shall worthily sustain its share in tho responsibility and obligations of the Empire by ' vigorous perseverance with tho Siilicm.)'of national training for defence by which Now Zealand's young manhood may become citizens lifted for safeguardng tito people's hearths and hdiiiL-s. and for 'helping she Empire in time of need, and ny the naval policy by which New Zealand will train the personnel and gradually develop the Dominions' in- i tercsts in the imperial navv, which will adequately protect the Empire as a whole, and ■mantain supremacy of the Hag in tile i'ae-iftc, and remit-r safe om 1 trade routes. in continuation of the .policy which has already placed tile finances'of New Zealand, especially as regards State Advances departments ami Public works, on a much more satisfactory basis than was tile case when the present Government took oifice. LAND FOR THE PEOPLE AND fEOFLE FUIt THE LAND. fa.) Maintenance of the freehold principle wliich encourages owners to improve their property, increasing the yield, while maintaining land in "good (I>.) Development of .sturdy selfreliant yeomanry by special attention to bona lide settlement'of small areas of food land. (c.) Promoting sub-division of large estates, which are suitable for close settlement 'by automatic increase of the graduated tax. This policy will be exercised with just and sane discrimination between land which is improved and improvable land which is kept in an unimproved condition. (d.) Facilitating settlemcV by energetic. well-planned programme of roads and railways. Suitable land which may be improved by public works will be acquired in advance of settlement when such procedure is practicable. (e.) Continuance of the new system by which revenue from State land'transactions will Do used to p-omote further settlement. (f.! Establishment of agricultural and land oanks to minimise financial anxieties of settlors and to enable them to hasten the development of their land. (g.l Encouragement and improvement of agricultural education for individual and national benefit. (h.) An expansion of tile system by j which the aid of the State's expert officers is available for various Industrie?. (iA The proper use of native lands for the advantage of both race-,. (j.) Provision of better form of appeal in the case of disputed valuations ' of land bv officers of the Slate. | By giving better access to backbloeka, and by other facilities the Reform policy j will assure a proper balance of popii- ' lation between urban and rural- areas. •; The new policy initiated by the present Government ef bringing boys to New Zealand experienced in comitrv work and apprenticing them under the complete protection as to their wages and comfort to farmers will be prosecuted. 1 Methods have been devised to provide larger number# of immigrants of the domestic help class. j BOARD OF TRADE AND COMMEROK. ' As valuable aid to securing the best possible return from exports, the Government has decided to establish a, Board of Trade and Commerce, which will keep in close touch with the : world's markets, note movements of ! trade and wateli shipping, in Tegard to inward i»nd outward freights. ADDITIONAL- PR HFERENCE. j One feature of the Reform Govern-! incut's Imperial 'policy will be granting' additional .preference where necessary t» British manufactures .uul making iecipioc.il arrangements with other members of the Imperial family. Those manufacturing industries for 'winch the natural conditions are favourable in this country will be encouraged. j iEN'OOI*I!ACfEMBNT TO .M1NIN;:. | Policy of promoting the. welfare of i mining by direct anil indirect assis- j tance is to incuide iron and oil which j have with coal a special national importance. * I FISHERIES.

Tin; lii.'form Government lias given special attention tu a development til iood fisheries for local ami overse-a.s markets. This valuable industry will be fostered in accordance with the recommendations of Professor Prince. The Government has under considvra • tioii a scheme by which advances may lie made to reliable men foi; the purchase of boats, to remove Customs duties 011 pear pertaining to the industry and to endeavour to bring about tile removal by the Commonwealth of import duties upon New Zealand lisW AFFOR.KSTATIO S T . The Reform policy includes afforestation to ensure adequate supplies of Umber for the future and the prevention of indiscriminate destruction of fore.sts, WULIC UKAU'ir. The Reform Govc'nimeiit bits been steadily improving' the .notection of public health. • The inspection of dairy herds is now More effective and this activity will be continued. The main iim* of the general policy a re.--a) checking tubercular trouble at source; (:i) encouraging anil helping- local authorities in a ™»paiga against, tuberculosis- (e) courajicou.i administration of the Pure l'oods Act; (d) medical inspection and physical training of school children. PENSIONS. the past two yean-. tlie Oovefimient bits fully redeemed pledges which it made in vej.!urd lo increased benefits undev the various pension S'.lienies. As soon as circumstances permit is is projiosed to 'remove the penalty' upon thrift which at present '« indicted upon the applicalil, wbo is dlsf|iiali!ied by reason of his possepsins a lion:'' beyond a certain value. KDUA/HOX. This year's 'Education Act brought the jiveatest reforms sMiie the national sy.stimi was instituted, ail. 1 , tlie good v.ork will be continued till v'he bmoot-li iito-oril:ii\ation of (primary, seeondai-y. and university departments is complete, The whole system is free of i'ee now for any pupil of fair ability and perseverance, and include* provision for research in matters'' helpful -to local industries.

HELPING ALL WORKERS. Reform policy for land and secondary' industries ensures work for all willing hands aiuk vviliiii« minds. Provision for encouraging various industries will increase tho national wages fund and thoreforo directly benefit, all workers. The cost of living ifi to be reduced by: (a) Erection of workers' dwellings by the Government: (b) State Advances to workers for building purposes; (c) advances to countries and borough etc., to enable them to purchase the necessary land and erect workers' homes; (d) Reduction of Customs duties on certain articles in common use; (e) By extending the scope of the Commercial Trusts Act to _ facilitate proceedings against monopolies, which attempt improper exploitation of the public. Preparations are being made with a sound plan to insure workers against sickness and unemployment.

NATIONAL INSURANCES. As soon as finances permit it is tile intention of the Government to a.gain 'submit for consideration of Friendly Societies ft scheme of national subvention. One oi the safeguards against involuntary idleness will be an amended system of labour exchanges. The Legislative programme includes a system to improve relations between the general Government and local bodies.'

niPßiovix;; railway fapilities. It is proposed to thoroughly overhaul the existing railway fares and lutes with a view to reducing the cost of travelling, especially to children of tender age, and to readjust various admitted anomalies in goods freights. among which may he mentioned freights on hardwood and imported timbers on shorts, empties, etc. Long distance trains will be .-(ill further ."■pecded-up without causing undue inco.nviohiic to waysMc passengers. While progressing with the national policy of railway construction the Oovernment will encourage ?he spirit of self help in districts which are willing to carry liability for the development o[ lines. The general railways equipment is to be improved in accordance with the general manager's recommendations.

NO "SOCIAL INJUSTICE." The Reform policy will ieave no just cause for the cry of "social injustice" or denial of opportunity. At no time, iu Um history of New Zealand was ■tho field for career more open !for workers' sons in public service, private professions, commerce, trade, or industry, and these 'amines will be further broadened. The Reform Covernincnt's policy is to treat the Maori as far as possible as a 'pakeha and the bcnePcial effects of the new regime are already visible.