This page has been validated.
The New Liberal Ministry
133
The Liberal Party adopted a policy which included:—
- The stoppage of “dummyism” in land sales.
- No more borrowing.
- Self-reliance.
- Thorough retrenchment.
- The prevention of the acquisition of land in large holdings.
- The resumption by the State of land urgently required for settlement, and vigorous settlement of the land.
- The discouragement of absentee landlordism and of speculative land purchasers.
- Better treatment of workers in factories.
- The use of railways to develop the agricultural and pastoral industries rather than as a means of imposing taxation.
- The establishment of scholarships from the primary schools to secondary schools and to the mining and agricultural schools.
- The establishment of technical schools.
- Reform of the Legislative Council.
- Measures to improve the condition of the workers.
- The repeal of the property tax and the introduction of a land and income tax.
The Conservative Party’s manifesto included:—
- Strict, but not parsimonious, economy, combined with cheerfulness and a firm belief in the unbounded resources of the colony.
- Further borrowing within the colony.
- The purchase of Maori lands.
- Retention of the property tax.
- Non-interference by the Government or Parliament with industrial disputes.
Trades and Labour Councils rallied round the Liberal leaders, echoed their war-cries, and issued manifestoes broadcast. For the first time, they selected labour candidates and gave them block votes.
