Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1943. NATIONAL PARTY POLICY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1943. NATIONAL PARTY POLICY.

GREAT deal of ground was covered by the Leader of the National Party (Mr Holland) in his address at Auckland last evening—an address in which he outlined the policy the party now in Opposition hopes to carry into effect if it is returned to office. Many people are likely to be interested not least in those aspects of policy which touch intimately the lives and welfare of a large proportion of the inhabitants of the Dominion —such questions as housing, social security and the easing of taxation on parents in the years when they are rearing their families. A feeling, it may be hoped, is growing that it should be possible to deal with questions of this kind in postwar years under a progressive, coherent and continuing policy, irrespective of what party happens to be in political power from time to time.

Where housing is concerned, the present Government and the National Party are at variance chiefly in regard to the extent to which the private acquisition of homes ought to be facilitated and assisted. It is apparent in any case that, in spite of the extensive building of State houses since the present Government took office, a great lag in the construction of dwellings exists today, and will be much more pronounced when the war is over.

The Government is already committed in a considerable measure to the training of additional building workers which Mr Holland and his party desire to see extended on a bold scale. There should be no difficulty in reaching agreement on this policy. Jf at the same time there is an efficient development of factory methods in the fabrication of materials, parts and equipment of dwellings, it should be quite possible to lower the cost of homes without any sacrifice of standards of quality and comfort. The cost of houses is at present much too high in relation to the incomes of a large proportion of the people who rent or buy them.

Mr Holland was on firm ground in his criticism of the social security scheme in the extent to which it penalises thrift. The existing policy under which any income in excess of a pound a week, in the ease either of an individual or a married couple attaining the age of sixty, disqualifies them to a correspondingextent for social security age benefit is incapable of being defended from any standpoint of justice or reason. This policy is not only a penalty on thrift, but might well be called an incentive to thriftlessness. It is asking rather too much of human nature to expect people to labour and make sacrifices in order to provide themselves with what is to be had from the State without effort and for the asking. As Sir William Beveridge has recognised, a social security scheme should give people every reasonable encouragement to augment what it provides. As a matter of justice and equity, a moderate amount of personal saving should not be a disqualification for social security benefits.

The National Party proposal that more liberal taxation concessions should be granted to parents in the years in which they are rearing and educating their children obviously has strong claims to consideration. It is agreed very generally that the strengthening of family life and an increased birth-rate are vita] conditions of future security and welfare in this country. Taxation concessions to parents are one important means to that end. Another, mentioned by Air Holland last evening, is the provision of domestic help, through the agency of an organised service, so that it may be available as widely as possible, particularly in times of exceptional need. Irrespective of the rising or falling fortunes of this or that political party, every practical means that can be taken to foster and build up family life has strong claims to support, from a national standpoint as well as from that of the welfare of individuals. If this country is to realise its possibilities in the days after the war, increased thought must be given to the family, and particularly to the welfare of mothers and children, in shaping national policy and in directing industrial and social development. Incidentally, in aiming at the invigoration of family and national life, far more will be accomplished by the distribution of industries and residential areas throughout the Dominion than by the establishment of home and garden areas on the fringes of cities suggested by Air Holland last evening.