NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY

CONSIDERATION OF POLICY WINNING OF THE WAR PLACED FIRST. DOMINION COUNCIL MEETING ON FRIDAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Dominion council of the National Party, comprising representatives of the party from every part of the Dominion, is to meet in Wellington on Friday and one of the most important subjects to be considered is the report of the Dominion Policy Committee. Suggestions for inclusion in the party’s platform have been made by all branches, individual members having been invited to express their views. “It is not expected that our election policy will be completed' for some time yet," said Mr. Holland, M.P., the new leader of the party, when questioned yesterday. “The first and by far the most important consideration of the National Party at this time is the winning of the war and New Zealand’s full contribution to that end. No considerations of party politics will be permitted to interfere with that object. The interests of all engaged in the armed forces will be uppermost. Not only must we look after the soldiers, sailors and airmen now serving, but we must have a' thoroughly thought-out plan for their rehabilitation. “The men and women, who are risking everything in the defence of all those things we hold dear can rest assured that as far as the National Party is concerned they will be properly provided for in the plan." said Mr. Holland. “That does not mean merely putting persons on to land and leaving them to their own devices. It will be an essential part of our programme that before men are put on the land, for example, they shall be equipped with training and knowledge to give them a reasonable chance of succeeding. While returned men do not require to be spoon fed they can be at least assured of every assistance that lies in the power of the State. The same broad principle will apply to those who desire to be established in other activities—in industry, in business and so on. It is absurd to put inexperienced men into projects with which they are unfamiliar.”