NO WAGE CUTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1938, Page 6

NO WAGE CUTS

POLICY OF THE NATIONAL PARTY SEVERAL POINTS OUTLINED BY MR S. G. HOLLAND HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) FAIRLIE, September 10. Several points of the National Party’s policy were released by Mr S. G. Holland. M.P., speaking in Fairlie last night to an attendance of 360. “We will not cut wages under any circumstances,” he said. “We are not going to cut pensions. We will not reduce civil servants’ salaries, and we will not increase working hours. We are going to leave those questions to an unfettered Arbitration Court, a thing we do not possess at present.” Since the compulsory system of arbitration had been established it would be retained, as speed was an important factor in the settlement of industrial disputes, Mr Holland continued. He advocated the appointment of four magistrates to deal with the citation of awards and minor dispuhtes. Compulsory unionism would be abolished. The National Party intended to return to owners of houses their right to regain possession and would have a housing scheme with occupier-owner-ship. Then a scheme would have to be evolved for erecting houses on the land with a first mortgage to give homes to farm workers and farmers’ sons. The National Party would establish a ministry of social welfare, one object being the improvement of the health and well-being of women and children and the bringing together of women’s organisations. In addition it would provide a complete free health service for that section of the community unable to pay; Mr Holland mentioned the need for a scheme of trainee apprenticeship to overcome difficulties in the employment of young people. The National Party would reduce costs without reducing wages by increasing industrial efficiency, he added. Probably some industries would need a scheme on the lines of profit sharing, payment by results or piecework. “We are not going to make a lot of empty promises,” he declared. The promises we make will be carried out.