FOREWORD. The Labour Government was elected in 1972 on a platform of social justice, and advancement for the people of New Zealand. Three years of solid achievement have taken us a considerable way towards that goal. This Manifesto sets out the continuation of this programme. Our policy is designed to bring about economic expansion and promote a fair sharing of the economy's material rewards. At the same time it is a balanced policy which will not buy the advantages of economic growth at the cost of damage to the environment or the undermining of humanitarian values. Progress in the past three years has been achieved through democratic discussion and co-operation between people and Government. That will continue. The programme in these pages is a pledge of concrete measures to be taken by a Labour Government committed to New Zealand's advancement and a decent life for all.  AGRICULTURE. LABOUR recognises the major contribution made by the farming community to the nation’s wealth. We will continue to promote as a priority the individual ownership of farms as we believe it gives the greatest personal satisfaction to the farmer and ensures the maximum production for the nation. LABOUR'S agricultural economic and social policies are designed to build strong rural communities through encouragement and support.  FINANCE.  1. Having successfully established the Rural Banking Finance Corporation, the Labour Government will extend its involvement in financing farmers, associated servicing and processing industries, and at an early date into the lending for the purchase of farm machinery and equipment.  2. Labour will continue to work with the farming industry towards establishing a stable income policy for the primary industries. Reserve Bank credit will be used where necessary to support this policy. Subsidies on farm inputs will be granted when circumstances warrant it.  3. The Farm Ownership Investment Account Scheme gives generous and encouraging incentives towards farm ownership. This means of saving for a first farm will be actively promoted in co-operation with young farmers groups.  4. Suspensory loans related to the sale of surplus stock will continue to be available to sharemilkers buying their first farm.  FARM TRAINING. The Labour Government has established Farm Training Programmes with the co-operation of the Agricultural Training Council. Formal courses in farm training will be expanded at Flockhouse and Telford Institutes to ensure that the farmer is equipped to meet the changing demands of the industry. Adequate farm training qualifications and experience will be required by those going into land ballots.  FARM SETTLEMENT. Labour recognises that given the encouragement to save towards farm ownership, the access to studying modern methods of farming and the opportunity of practical experience, the young farmer of proven ability should have a reasonable chance of owning a farm. A Labour Government will continue to make this possible through:  1. Land Settlement on developed Crown Land.  2. Priority to initial individual ownership through the Rural Bank Finance Corporation.  CO-OPERATIVES. The Labour Government's policy of encouraging co-operative ownership of all new freezing and fertiliser works will be continued. Government will encourage co-operative works to expand through taxation incentives already introduced. These allow approved co-operatives to expand through taxation exemptions on profits retained for this purpose. After discussion with farmers' representatives, a Labour Government will give tax concessions to approved Farm Machinery Syndication Schemes.  DIVERSIFICATION. Labour's programme of initiating feasibility studies into a wide variety of agricultural, pastoral and horticultural industries has proved highly successful. These have been helpful in establishing a broader base for producing and processing for increased export. Investigations will commence into the establishment of a Meat Marketing Corporation which will initially direct its attention towards gaining greater efficiency in processing and marketing.  IRRIGATION AND RURAL WATER SCHEMES. Labour believes the use of the nation's water resources to be of national importance and will continue to encourage and assist in the establishment of new irrigation and water supply schemes through:  1. IRRIGATION:  (a) Full cost of development of works outside a scheme area will be borne by Government.  (b) Off-farm development within a scheme area will receive $1 for $1 subsidy.  (c) On-farm development inside a scheme area will receive $1 for $2 subsidy.  (d) Where an individual farmer does not qualify for assistance from the scheme policy as outlined above, he may apply to the Rural Bank for a suspensory loan of up to 33 1/3 per cent of total cost of his personal scheme. To qualify for this assistance the applicant must:  - have his scheme approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.  - the suspensory loan must not exceed the fixed, asset content of the proposal.  2. RURAL, WATER SUPPLY. To encourage farmers and local authorities to introduce high quality and reliable rural water supply schemes, Labour has raised the subsidy. For those schemes approved by the Ministry of Works and Development, the assistance is increased from $1 to $2 for off-farm works to $1 for $1 for all works.  AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH. Labour will continue to expand research in the agricultural field to increase, production, eradicate pasture pests, to improve animal performance, better pasture species and higher yielding crops.  WEED CONTROL. The recently instituted Weed Control Programme has been widely accepted by the farming community. A Labour Government will continue to give full support to this programme and will extend its application where necessary.  WHEAT. The Labour Government will continue to negotiate with the industry to ensure that a satisfactory contractual pricing procedure can be established in order to maintain self-sufficiency in wheat production.  ARTS AND CULTURE. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT has implemented policies that bring enjoyment and appreciation of life to all not just a privileged few. Environmental considerations, a Council for Recreation and Sport and a new deal for the Arts have meant that we can all now participate and enjoy a better quality of life.  POLICY DETAILS. The Labour Government will:  1. Continue to increase the budget of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and make money available for distribution to Community Arts Councils through the Regional Councils that have been set up under the restructured Queen Elizabeth. II Arts Council.  2. Encourage the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council to sponsor cultural exchanges with overseas countries, and will vigorously promote New Zealand culture abroad through exhibitions, exchanges, publications, and concert tours.  3. Continue to fund moneys for capital purposes to the scheme instituted by the Labour Government where $250,000 in the first year and $300,000 in the second and third years has been allocated far capital purposes for art galleries and museums. This matches a similar scheme which obtains a grant from the Golden Kiwi Lottery Board of Control of $250,000 for capital purposes for theatres and other buildings in connection with the performing arts. These schemes have provided a tremendous upsurge in public interest for the erection of art galleries, and theatres, and the associated equipment required for existing buildings. Labour will continue to encourage these forms of art and culture.  4. Continue to encourage the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council in its policy of establishing Regional orchestras.  5. Investigate the possibility of extending, to New Zealand painters, prints of whose works are loaned by Public Libraries, the same financial assistance that applies through the Authors' Fund. Support for the Authors' Fund will continue. It has proved beneficial and encouraging to New Zealand authors. The amount of $161000 has been set aside for distribution this financial year.  6. Make a special grant available to Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council for the sponsorship of a quinquennial National Arts Festival.  7. Continue to encourage New Zealand painters, sculptors, and craftsmen by incorporating their work whenever possible in public buildings at home and in New Zealand offices abroad.  COMMUNICATIONS.  1. Communication is the lifeblood of Government and public administration and it is a two-way traffic. The Government has a right, indeed an obligation to, inform the public of its activities, plans and objectives, and it is appropriate that it be free to put these forward in its own manner and language.  2. The public is entitled to hear and read what its Government says, not someone else's interpretation (or distortion) of its words. This is the function of the Information and Press section of the Tourist and Publicity Department. Its job is not to propagandise but to inform, and this role will be faithfully adhered to.  3. Some knowledge in the possession of the Government must remain confidential, and this will be defined and classified.  4. The Official Secrets Act will be repealed and legislative machinery that is sufficient, but no more than sufficient, to protect that knowledge will be provided. For the rest the right of public access to official records will be clarified and established.  5. As well as a right to know, the public has a right to comment, criticise and discuss, and channels of communication must not only inform but feed back. In our democracy this is a role for the news media.  6. All TV and many other outlets are and should be independent, both of Government and private interests, but they have a public responsibility to transmit and exchange both majority and minority views on matters of public interest in a fair and reasonable manner.  7. The law of libel will be reviewed and the privacy of the individual protected so that freedom of expression will be encouraged but responsible standards maintained.  BROADCASTING. POLICY DETAILS. A Labour Government will:  - Uphold the independence and integrity of the Broadcasting Council of New Zealand, and the principle of public ownership of broadcasting in New Zealand.  - Confirm the warrants of private radio stations already licensed.  - Enlarge as rapidly as possible the coverage served by two alternative colour television channels.  - Intensify the use of broadcasting, particularly television, as an educational aid and make available through the Department of Education additional Government finance for educational broadcasts.  - Request the Broadcasting Council, in conjunction with the Department of Education, to investigate the establishment of a University of the Air.  - Encourage, in co-operation with the Broadcasting Council, the greatest use possible of New Zealand personnel and material in programming and advertising.  - Promote, in co-operation with the Broadcasting Council, a considerable expansion of the range of Maori and Polynesian programmes.  - Encourage, in co-operation with the Broadcasting Council, a considerable expansion in the external services division of Radio New Zealand.  - Invite Radio New Zealand to introduce Frequency Modulation (F.M.) Broadcasting.  POST OFFICE POLICY DETAILS. Telephone Services.  The Labour Government will:  - Continue the accelerated level of new telephone installations consistent with the availability of resources.  - Give every priority to the conversion of the remaining manual exchanges to automatic working.  - Progressively introduce innovations and extensions to services such as push button dialling, improved call diversion service, abbreviated dialling, improved conference call facilities and direct dialling into P.A.B.X. extensions.  Subscriber Toll Dialling. The Labour Government:  - Will continue to press forward with a programme of establishing a nationwide subscriber toll dialling system, with the objective of giving a majority of New Zealand telephone subscribers a self-dialling toll service.  - Will extend circuits available through the satellite earth station, and by way of a new trans-Tasman submarine cable, to give improved and extended international telecommunication services which will enable New Zealand subscribers to dial direct overseas telephone calls to selected countries.  Finance. The Labour Government:  - Will link Post Office Savings Bank and Housing Corporation resources together in the provision of mortgage finance.  - Will continue its successful policy of making personal loans available to credit-worthy borrowers. It is fulfilling a social need in enabling a normal range of consumer desirable goods to be bought at realistic rates of interest.  CONSTITUTIONAL. In keeping with an undertaking given in 1972 the LABOUR GOVERNMENT introduced legislation to reduce the voting age to eighteen. At the same time a comprehensive overhaul of the Electoral Act was undertaken to ease voting requirements. The rights of the individual to privacy have been protected by the introduction of the most comprehensive legislation of its type in the world.  POLICY DETAILS:  1. A Labour Government will introduce a Constitutional and Electoral Act which will consolidate all laws relating to elections in one Act to be made fully available to all New Zealanders.  2. A Labour Government will increase progressively the number of Members of Parliament and will continue to set as a base for ‘General’ electorates the number of seats in the South Island.  1. The Standing Orders of Parliament will be thoroughly reviewed to secure more efficiency in the conduct of business of Parliament and a more modern approach to the way in which Members should play their part in the affairs of Parliament. Submissions will be invited from the public as well as from any interested parties.  2. Parliament's Select Committee meetings will continue to be opened to the public and the news media whenever practicable. The Select Committees will travel to the people and meet the people.  3. Labour will continue to uphold the rights and needs of the individual and will progressively update older Acts of Parliament to ensure that the changed aspirations of the community are not inhibited.  4. Regional Government will be further encouraged to accept powers delegated to it by Central Government. Major legislation such as the Town and Country Planning Act will be updated and consolidated.  5. To ensure that Government Policy is well directed and is carried out effectively, Labour will consolidate and group the work of Government Departments and Statutory Boards.  6. Improved facilities will be provided for Members of Parliament with the aim of ensuring that they will be able to carry out all expected tasks and duties within more reasonable hours than are required at present.  7. Local Government will be further streamlined by amalgamating the Municipal Corporations and Counties Act.  CUSTOMS. TARIFF REVIEW.  1. A full review of the Customs Tariff will be completed within a two year period to make the Tariff compatible with modern trading conditions, industrial development requirements and administrative facility. Tariff rates will be set to meet the reasonable protective needs of industry.  CARGO PROCESSING.  2. The Labour Government will undertake a full review of container facilities to plan future development, promote rationalisation and encourage greater uniformity of control and efficiency of operation. Methods of simplifying procedures to allow delivery to be taken of certain classes of goods with a minimum of formality are being examined. The range of goods will be extended when and where possible.  PILLAGING.  3. Co-operation between Police, Customs, Shipping Insurance and other Commercial interests will be promoted to minimise loss resulting from pillaging.  NARCOTICS.  4. Measures against the illegal importation of narcotics will be intensified. This will include more emphasis on use of modern technology, the use of specially trained dogs, increased surveillance and closer co-operation with the police and other overseas agencies working on this problem.  PASSENGER PROCESSING FACILITIES.  5. The Labour Government will explore ways of co-operation with the Australian Customs authorities to introduce a pre-clearance system which will minimise clearance formalities. Priority will be given to providing modern processing facilities at Zealand's international airports capable of handling the increasing number of tourists.  TAXATION.  6. (a) The Labour Government will undertake a full review of goods subject to sales tax and of sales tax rates.  (b) The review will also re-assess the basis on which goods are taxable and whether there is scope for greater flexibility in tax rates on particular commodities.  (c) A list of goods subject to sales tax will be introduced on a "positive" rather than the present "negative" basis thus simplifying interpretation by the public and commercial interests.  (d) An investigation will be undertaken to find a means whereby importers may pay post-delivery customs duty on goods received into New Zealand.  DEFENCE. POLICY.  1. While continuing to work for co-operation between nations and the peaceful settlement of international disputes, a Labour Government will take all necessary measures to ensure the territorial security of New Zealand.  2. To this end Labour will continue its participation in mutual defence arrangements consistent with the United Nations Charter; strengthen the growing bilateral relationships in the defence field with friendly countries in South East Asia and the South West Pacific to improve the quality of each other's forces; and maintain the level of Armed Forces necessary to provide for our national security.  IMPLEMENTATION OF DEFENCE ORGANISATION.  3. The Labour Government will maintain the separate fighting Services but will continue progress in the development of organisation, methods and modern management techniques to achieve an integrated defence policy. This will include plans and programmes directed towards the provision of effective operational forces and the efficient utilisation of defence resources  4. A start will be made in the provision of the necessary facilities for the co-ordinated direction and control of all joint military operations in the New Zealand area, whether for support of civil defence in natural disasters or in defence of the nation.  DEFENCE FORCES.  5. The three Services should continue to maintain their present basic capabilities as a basis for providing the forces required in major emergencies and to provide the necessary training and experience for the regular forces and their commanders. To ensure maximum economy and minimise the steadily increasing cost of training regular manpower, every opportunity will be taken to expand the role of the Territorial and Reserve Forces to enable their personnel, to the extent that is practicable, to participate more fully in the normal activities and operations of the three Services. Capital expenditure will reflect the urgent need to improve conditions of service and the retention rate of trained personnel. However, a Labour Government will continue to ensure that the Armed Services are adequately equipped for their tasks and responsibilities and to maintain the necessary range and level of professional skills required for effective operational units.  CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. Accommodation.  6. The expanded housing programme initiated in the last three years will be continued, but greater emphasis must now be placed on provision of adequate living and working conditions on bases for living-in servicemen and women, and in particular the construction of the necessary accommodation to facilitate the return home of the Force in Singapore.  7. Outdated and obsolete operational accommodation will be improved on a planned basis and better use made of existing assets.  CAREER IMPROVEMENT.  1. Decisions taken or recommendation of the 1973 Advisory Committee on Civil Trade Qualifications will now be incorporated into the training programmes of the Armed Forces.  2. A new engagement system, coupled with matching end-of-service emoluments, will be developed to give further incentive for trained personnel in the Armed Forces to serve for longer periods.  1. The present complicated system of pay and allowances will be simplified and modified to recognise responsibilities and in particular recruit and retain the personnel required for the operational units of the Services.  DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT will continue to give a lead on properly balanced development of the whole of New Zealand so that sound long term planning is carried out and work is co-ordinated on an effective regional basis. LABOUR will in its development programmes give support to increasing New Zealand's productive capacity consistent with conservation of non-renewable resources and proper concern for the environment. There must be a continuing co-ordinated effort to develop our energy resources, to meet the needs of all sections of the community and with emphasis also on methods of conserving energy and avoiding Waste.  ELECTRICITY. Labour will continue in its efforts to improve the country's standard of living, and in doing this we will ensure that the people of New Zealand have adequate supplies of low-cost electricity. To this end we will further develop our hydro resources and fully utilise our indigenous fuels. Schemes under construction are being completed as quickly as possible to overcome the inherited shortage of generating capacity. In the area of hydro development, approval has been given for the final two stages of the Upper Waitaki development, and work is progressing on the Clutha Valley development scheme. We have pledged our support for practical hydro electric projects undertaken by local authorities and further schemes, incorporating irrigation facilities, are proposed under a Labour administration. Labour will place considerable emphasis on the further development of thermal stations, using indigenous fuels. The price of oil precludes any great expansion in oil-fired facilities, so Labour intends to concentrate on establishing thermal stations such as Huntly and Auckland which can use our natural coal and gas.  GAS AND OIL. The Government's 50 per cent holding in Maui has given the people the ownership of something which is rightfully theirs. The Labour administration has recognised the immense value of this resource, which should be in production by October, 1978. The Government has reached agreement with companies engaged in oil and natural gas exploration which gives it, on behalf of the people, a controlling interest in future oil or gas finds. Labour will continue to press ahead with exploration and development. Though the Maui gas contract was largely based on electricity generation, investigations are proceeding to ensure that this energy resource is utilised to greatest advantage. Substantially increased use of this premium fuel by domestic and commercial consumers will be encouraged. The provision of bottled L.P.G. to replace the uneconomic gas plant in Blenheim will be extended to other areas, particularly in the South  Island.  GEOTHERMAL STEAM. Drilling of the Broadlands geothermal field has been resumed and the field will be used for the production of 150 Mw of power. Labour plans further studies of operating methods at Wairakei with the intention of improving generating efficiency and minimising environmental effects. The Government will further the greatest use of geothermal steam not only for immediate power development but also for possible other uses such as for heavy industry, production of heavy water, domestic heating and agricultural plant requirements. Expansion of exploration over an area of 10000 square miles will be the ultimate objective and the possibilities of use of new techniques will be considered in all hot rock areas.  NUCLEAR POWER. As there is a limit to the capacity of the sources from which electricity is now generated, the Government would have been irresponsible if it had neglected a search for alternatives. One of these is nuclear power generation. Government has kept abreast with developments overseas as well as making some local surveys. It will continue to do no more and no less. No decision or commitment will be made before 1977. Labour will not even consider going nuclear us long as existing resources can provide for our on-going needs, and then only if no other alternative is available and the process is adequately safeguarded.  NATURAL RESOURCES. The Labour Government will continue with its Natural Resources reports following on the publications already completed on the West Coast, King Country and Waikato areas. We will give particular emphasis to mineral development where the highest degree of processing is concerned. Such National Resources reports will be the bash for the encouragement of both private and Government development, either separately or jointly.  COAL. Coal remains one of our most important natural resources and source of heat and energy. The return of a Labour Government will guarantee the greatest utilisation of this resource to its best advantage. We have established Huntly as a pollution free coal burning station, and others are planned as part of Labour's development policy. Our natural resources reports, along with the "White Paper" on coal, will determine the rightful place of coal in the country's economy and decide its future in relation to New Zealand's energy requirements.  WATER AND SOIL CONSERVATION. The Water and Soil Conservation Authority, its Councils and its administration, will be streamlined to ensure direct policy implementation and better regional involvement. Irrigation schemes are under way for major projects at Maniatoto, Manuberika and Lower Waitaki based on Labour's 1972 Irrigation Policy. It is Labour's intention that existing irrigation schemes, where practicable, be brought into line with these newer schemes. There will be improved procedure for compensation. Labour will ensure that all our lakes are protected from deterioration due to eutrophication and pollution. To eliminate such conditions schemes for soil control of catchments, disposal of sewerage, removal of weed and control of lake levels will be carried out as has now been specifically provided for Lake Rotorua.  TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING. Labour plans revision of the Town and Country Planning Act so that its procedures are easier to follow and there is better provision for regional planning and a fairer balance between local and central government needs. The effect of re-zoning and its effect on land valuation and development is of particular concern. The Local Government Bill will be fully utilised in order to prevent any undue escalation. In a major new development a new town has been planned for Rolleston as being part of the greater Christchurch area. In all such "development areas" there will be better provision for appeal procedures and the Crown will be bound to a greater extent than previously.  COMPENSATION. The Labour Government will maintain its policy to recompense adequately any dispossessed owner whose property has been compulsorily taken and the Town and Country Planning Act will be amended to take care of this. Similarly, where applicable the compensation procedures on Irrigation Schemes will be improved. There will be special compensation provisions for those affected in the designated "development areas," and provision also for consultation and agreement with all Government Departments and Local Bodies concerned.  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Labour believes research and development is the key to technological, economic and social advancement. The Labour Government will place emphasis on these and all development aspects of research and technology. As already indicated Government will ensure adequate research into the use of coal so that this fuel is utilised to the best advantage both in power stations and elsewhere. Labour will carry out research into the uses of Southland coal and shale for conversion into oil. An additional 50 per cent increase in the allocation for research by National Roads Board is a further instance where the Government has already taken the initiative on research. In the field of geothermal steam development, Labour, since becoming Government, has ensured that research in this extensive resource is again carried out for New Zealand's best development.  EARTHQUAKE AND WAR DAMAGE. Government has established a committee to examine the Earthquake and War Damage policy with a view to liberalising it. Changes being considered are:  - possibility of the Earthquake and War Damage Commission meeting the cost of relocating to some other site a building irretrievably threatened by landslip.  - the provision for an insured building irretrievably threatened by landslip and a total loss constructively, qualifying as a claim for material total loss, notwithstanding the fact that the structure is not a total loss materially.  - authorising local authorities to establish a local fund to meet the cost of repairing landslip damaged sections.  - the provision for the Earthquake and War Damage Commission to contribute towards the cost of section repairs to prevent damage or further damage to an insured building.  EDUCATION. LABOUR has accepted the challenge to create new conditions in education services which will ensure equal opportunity for all New Zealanders. Our objective is that every person regardless of age, income, level of academic achievement, or place of residence has a right to educational opportunity of a kind for which be or she is best fitted and which will allow the fullest development of his or her powers. LABOUR believes the ideal of lifelong education is not only the right of the individual but a social necessity.  EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.  Labour recognises the supreme importance of early childhood education and is determined to provide pre-school opportunities for all. It will give priority to further developing its policy of providing day care centres for the children of working parents.  (a) We shall continue to improve and expand the services offered by all types of day care centres by ensuring they have an educational as well as a caring role.  (b) We will increase assistance to provide early childhood facilities in new housing areas or in any other areas of special need. The assistance will be for both running costs and the capital costs of setting up a centre.  (c) We will assist mothers with young children who are taking advantage of the Government's policy of "second chance" education by providing child care facilities in our secondary schools and tertiary institutions where a need for such facilities is clearly established.  (d) An improved advisory service will be provided through the Departments of Education and Social Welfare for community groups wishing to set up day care centres.  (e) Special importance will be given to parent education to increase understanding of early childhood care and development and to encourage parents to make use of early childhood facilities.  (f) Special provision will be made for children living in remote areas by further strengthening the pre-school advisory services, improving correspondence, radio and television programmes and introducing more mobile pre-school units.  (g) Co-operation and co-ordination of training will be encouraged between pre-school teachers and supervisors, junior and primary school teachers and nurses.  (h) Education Boards will be further assisted to provide sites and administrative and architectural servicing.  THE CURRICULUM.  Labour will provide for a more flexible school curriculum which stresses the development of basic skills. It believes that initiative in this should be taken at the local level wherever possible.  (a) A consultative curriculum committee responsible for the development of general aims and objectives in education will be established.  (b) Within broad national guidelines schools will be permitted to develop programmes that meet their own particular needs.  (c) School principals will be given responsibility and assistance to involve staff, parents and students in the development of school curricula.  (d) The recommendations of the Secondary School Review Committee will be the basis for a major restructuring of the school curriculum.  (e) Labour intends to increase emphasis on the arts, recreation and cultural subjects and in consultation with the Q.E. II Arts Council and Recreation and Sport Council develop options within the curriculum in these subjects.  ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION.  Labour will continue to encourage and assist the development of alternative educational systems within the State system in order to give children an expanded range of options.  (a) Encouragement will be given to developing alternative schools such as "Four Avenues."  (b) Provision of work experience classes and opportunity classes at existing schools will be encouraged.  SPECIALIST, SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES.  To meet children's needs adequately, teachers must be able to draw upon the support and guidance of a variety of specialist services. Many children require special assistance and all children need access to skilled guidance, particularly with respect of their choice of vocation. Labour will:  (a) Expand the Psychological, Guidance and Support Services available to children, parents and teachers.  (b) Provide for the earliest possible detection of special needs in children, particularly in new housing areas and other areas of special need.  (c) Ensure that the Psychological and related services extend their provision for children in early childhood programmes and in early school years.  (d) Give specialist training to teachers to enable them to recognise children who need special assistance. Pre-service and in-service courses will be provided for this purpose.  (e) Establish additional specialist one-year courses on the education of children with severe learning difficulties in at least one more of the existing teachers' colleges.  (b) Give additional staffing and material resources to those schools which already have special facilities for teaching children in need of specialist assistance.  (c) Increase the number of guidance counsellors being appointed to schools.  (d) Increase time allowances in schools to prove the effectiveness of the guidance network and to include opportunities for school staff to visit mothers of children with special difficulties.  (e) The Vocational Guidance Service will be further strengthened and upgraded.  RURAL EDUCATION.  Labour has recognised the additional needs of children in rural areas and much has already been done to expand educational opportunities for these children. Existing programmes in this area will be further developed.  (a) All existing rural schools will be retained, provided it is educationally advantageous to do so.  (b) Salary and accommodation incentives to attract teachers to rural areas will be continued.  (a) Teacher centres will be established in rural areas to help alleviate the comparative professional isolation of country teachers. More opportunities for in-service training of country teachers will be made available.  (b) Boarding allowances will be increased for those children who do not have readily available transport to their nearest school. Boarding allowances for those children who do have readily available transport to their nearest school but who choose to board elsewhere will be reviewed.  (c) Five-day hostels will continue to be built in areas where there is an established, need.  MAORI AND POLYNESIAN EDUCATION.  Labour is determined that the education system caters totally for our multi-cultural society and that our Maori and Polynesian communities be able to fully realise their potential. At present many Maori and Polynesian children and adults are not getting full benefit from the education system. Much has already been done, but more will be done.  (a) The numbers of trained Maori and other Polynesian teachers and ancillary staff in schools will be further increased.  (b) Teaching, of the Maori language will be accelerated with a view to making it a genuine option from Form 1 upwards.  (c) Priority will be given to the expansion of early childhood education in areas with a high density of Maori and Polynesian people.  (d) Priority will be given to increasing the number of Maori and Polynesian teachers in schools.  THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY  Labour will develop its policy of bringing about a closer relationship between the school and the community. It will continue to encourage school and community to make greater use of each other's human and physical resources. Labour will promote:  (a) Joint planning of and contribution to new facilities by school, community, local authorities and the Council for Recreation and Sport.  (b) Improved publicity of educational services available to the community.  (c) The provision of extra facilities and staff within the schools to cater for additional community responsibilities.  (d) The establishment of guidelines for the use of TV and radio for educational purposes after consultation between the interested parties.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE EDUCATION SERVICES  Labour will ensure that authority and responsibility for the administration of the education services is decentralised to the greatest possible degree. It intends that the Department's role should be one of leadership and guidance rather than detailed supervision and management. It believes that the control and administration of local education services should be vested in the people they serve rather than in a centralised bureaucracy.  (a) Single district administrative authorities will be established to serve education up to and including secondary level.  (b) Labour will move immediately to ensure the maximum devolution of responsibility to individual schools, institutions and district authorities.  (a) The Department of Education's role will be limited to providing educational leadership, overseeing, evaluating and co-ordinating the system as a whole, arguing education's case for resources and ensuring education's place within overall national planning.  (b) School committees and boards will be reconstituted where this is desired, in line with the recommendations of the E.D.C.  (c) The development of community government will provide a medium for consultation and development of community educational goals at all levels. As Community Councils are established links will be forged to integrate education with general aspirations for community development.  TEACHERS AND TEACHER TRAINING.  Labour believes that teachers should be able to use their professional skills more effectively in the classrooms and intends to implement many of the recommendations of the E.D.C. relating to teachers' needs. Priority will be given to:  (a) The development of a unified teaching service.  (b) The systematic expansion of continuing education opportunities for teachers, especially early in their careers or when they are about to assume positions of responsibility.  (c) The expansion of teacher support and advisory services.  (d) The establishment of teachers' centres to assist in-service training, curriculum development and the sharing of resources and special equipment.  (e) Making resource services for teachers much more readily available.  (f) Establishing resource facilities in the schools, together with appropriate time allowances.  (g) Increasing the numbers of ancillary staff.  (h) Adjusting the teaching load of principals and senior staff so as to enable them to support and assist younger teachers.  (i) Delegating to representative local agencies responsibility for the conduct and control of in-service training.  CONTINUING EDUCATION.  Labour will take immediate steps to increase the range of options in continuing education to encourage and assist New Zealanders to continue learning throughout their lives.  a. Community colleges and technical institutes will be established where there is a need, particularly in provincial centres.  b. Community action projects such as those proposed in Wairarapa and Marlborough will receive full encouragement and support.  c. Technical institutes and community colleges will be given greater administrative authority and control over the development of courses and curricula.  d. The National Council of Adult Education will be renamed the National Council for Continuing Education and be reconstituted to become a major advisor to Government.  e. Encouragements and assistance will be given to the further development of guidelines for the cross crediting of courses to ease movement of students between tertiary institutions.  f. Tertiary institutions will be given encouragement and assistance to increase their extension functions.  g. Labour will review all aspects of vocational training, including apprenticeships, in order to update guidelines in technical and industrial education.  h. Labour will continue to provide access to universities for all who will benefit.  i. The Education Development Council will be encouraged to develop its role as a major independent educational adviser to Government.  WOMEN IN EDUCATION.  Women in education constitute the largest identifiable group of professional women in this country. Labour believes that equal opportunities must exist and that all teachers must be able to achieve promotion on the basis of ability alone. Labour recognises that disparities in the treatment and achievements of the sexes are evident throughout the educational system and it intends to remedy this.  (a) Career opportunities for women teachers will be improved to ensure that women can assume positions of responsibility in a way which reflects the relative strength of their numbers in the profession.  (b) The conditions of service for teachers will be investigated in order to remove any provisions which might discriminate against women.  (c) Vocational and career guidance will be modified where necessary in order to eliminate stress on sex roles.  (d) The present programme of replacing teaching texts and materials which portray sex stereotypes will be completed as rapidly as possible.  ENVIRONMENTAL. LABOUR recognises that for the balanced development of New Zealand the maintenance and development of a sound physical environment and a vital social environment is essential; and that environmental and development needs increasingly coincide. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT will therefore manage resources not according simply to demand but on the basis of resource availability and total present and future needs, including national development, regional development, social wellbeing and environmental quality.  ADMINISTRATION.  1. Labour reaffirms the independence of the advisory role of the Commission for the Environment on environmental issues and will, further extend its co-ordinating role to ensure integrated development planning.  2. Labour will provide the Commission for the Environment with the necessary resources to enable it to take further initiatives in environmental planning, resource management and social aspects generally, in particular those associated with development projects or closely related to physical environmental factors.  3. Labour will continue to obtain the advice of the Environmental Council and extend public participation to policy matters affecting the environment.  4. Through the environmental impact appraisal procedures, and in other ways, Labour will continue to seek public participation in environmental decisions.  5. The Labour Government will continue to seek the advice of the Guardian groups in formulating its policies for Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, the Rotorua Lakes, and Lake Wanaka.  6. Labour will ensure adequate funds and co-ordination of research into important environmental matters.  7. Labour supports the need for revision and upgrading of the Town and Country Planning Act and Ms together with the consolidation of Local Bodies will ensure that Regional Government can accept responsibilities delegated by Central Government.  8. Labour will ensure that environmental and planning legislation binds the Crown.  ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION. The Labour Government will establish an Environmental Education unit initially within the Commission for the Environment to plan and implement a programme of public education on environmental matters.  ENERGY, POPULATION, LAND. Recognising that energy, population and effective land management are fundamental to the development of a sustainable environment the Labour Government will undertake the following:  1. Energy.  a. Labour recognises the attempt to meet a continuously increasing energy demand will ultimately impose intolerable economic, social and environmental strains.  b. Therefore, the Labour Government will establish a comprehensive energy policy aimed at reducing growth in energy use to a level manageable and sustainable in social, economic and environmental terms.  c. As an aid to this policy Labour will:  - Encourage use of renewable energy sources (such as hydro, geothermal, solar and wind power) in ways compatible with environmental values. No decision for or against nuclear power will be considered until controlled demand rises beyond that which can be met by these sources.  - Continue to expand and intensify the research and development of alternative energy forms.  - Ensure that the future pricing of energy reflects social environmental costs.  - Foster and support the development of lower energy transportation.  2. Population. The Labour Government will carry further the examination begun in 1974, of the relationship between the size and rate of growth of population, use of resources, and social and physical environment needs. Labour will formulate a population policy with full public involvement. Such a policy will have as its primary aim the integration of population, development and environment to ensure a sustainable and high quality of life.  3. Land and Water Management.  (a) Labour will promote integrated regional resource studies as an aid to environmentally sound planning.  (b) Labour will improve and co-ordinate the planning and management of coastal waters, the seabed and coastal land.  Labour will revise legislation to improve water and soil conservation administration and management with new emphasis on environmental values.  (d) Labour will continue to protect areas of special environmental importance and will provide for special groups representing authoritative expertise and the public to help in this respect.  (e) Environmental questions must be approached and considered in their impact not only on the immediate locality but as to their consequences for the nation as a whole. In assessing the effects of acting on a particular proposal it is also necessary to consider the result of failing to act on it. It is the duty of all concerned to weigh the economic, social and other costs of different options.  (f) Labour will continue research and development into ways of reducing nutrient inputs into lakes, rivers and estuaries.  Labour will increase the allocation of Government funds for the purchase of land for scenic and recreational reserves, for access to our rivers, lakes and seashore, and for the appropriate development for public enjoyment of reserves and other suitable Crown lands.  POLLUTION.  1. Noise. Labour endorses the Committee of the Board of Health report and will establish acceptable levels of maximum noise, and progressively introduce requirements for new manufacture of transport, construction and similar equipment to meet noise standards.  2. Wastes.  (a) Labour will devise and implement means by which reusable waste materials and containers can be retrieved, recycled or re-used, providing incentives for such recovery, if necessary, towards encouraging this.  (b) Recognising the vital importance of waterways to New Zealand's social environmental and economic wellbeing, the Labour Government will place the highest priority on research, development and implementation of domestic and industrial waste recovery systems; where possible encourage the return of organic wastes to the land: and encourage local authorities to adopt refuse disposal methods of the highest standard.  3. Technology and Environment. Labour will institute measures by which the  development or adoption of technology in New Zealand can be progressively aligned to New Zealand's needs and the sustaining of a healthy and varied social and physical environment.  4. Radioactive and Chemical Hazards.  (a) A Labour Government will continue to seek co-operation on a regional basis for the protection of the South Pacific environment and vigorously oppose the continuation of nuclear testing.  (b) Labour will ensure that no technology which threatens the health of people by radiation will be introduced unless its safety can be assured, for both present and future generations.  (c) Labour will ensure effective controls on the import and transport of hazardous chemical substances.  URBAN ENVIRONMENT.  1 . Labour will integrate regional development policies with studies and public discussion of urban objectives in relation to size, scale and desired nature of the urban community, and in recognition of the need for the urban community to be designed for people to live and play in as well as to work in.  2. Local residents and community councils will be encouraged to plan and improve the amenities and living conditions in their residential neighbourhood through Neighbourhood Improvement Programmes.  3. Labour will encourage local authorities to provide greater opportunities for different cultural and age groups to participate in community development.  4. The Labour Government will establish appropriate means for the protection of urban trees and the provision of urban recreational and open space areas.  INDUSTRY. The Labour Government recognises the economic and environmental need to conserve raw materials and energy, and avoid wasteful pollution. To this end Labour will:  (a) Continue and expand productivity measures; foster industrial design for conservation; encourage the development of industries based on use of renewable resources.  (b) In its industrial policy give due emphasis to the advantages of small scale production o high quality goods based on the use of brain skill and low energy technology.  (c) Actively support regional small scale industries and those which foster a working environment in which greater participation of all workers is provided for.  WORK, HOME AND THE COMMUNITY. Labour will expand the availability of flexible working hours and part-time jobs to enable greater participation by women in the workforce and to enable individuals to better organise their lives around home, work and the community.  INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.  1. Labour will co-ordinate and integrate in formation to enable effective participation by New Zealand in the OECD Environmental programme, parallel to our participation it the OECD Economic programme.  2. The Labour Government will continue to participate in the work of UNEP (the United Nations Environment Programme), including international (United Nations) conferences on such matters as human settlements and law of the sea.  3. The extension of territorial responsibilities over the seabed is increasingly important for protection of these resources. International agreements on this will be pursued resolutely  FINANCE AND TAXATION. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT has already brought about substantial changes in the finance and taxation structure of the country. In today's circumstances Government's prime purpose must be to ensure full employment while resisting inflationary tendencies as far as possible. Efforts to achieve savings for investment in production and in social advance have a greater meaning now than ever before.  INTRODUCTION. The monetary policy of the Labour Government aims at preserving price/wage relativity. As in the past three years this relationship will be supported with changes in taxation, interest rates and money supply. The Reserve Bank through its control of the banking and financial system will exercise the State's prerogative to issue currency and monetary credit. Within this programme trading banks may be required to borrow monetary credit from it. As already shown when short term liquidity problems emerged, some creation of credit through the Reserve Bank will be practised to stimulate growth and speed up recovery from the recession that has been a world feature of recent times. The objective is the expansion of production and the better distribution of goods and services, a programme that will in general require more credit and currency. In this expansion a proper balance must be kept at all times between the money supply and the goods and services available. The Government Reserve Bank will maintain its role both in building the economy and in determining the total level of credit available. Private institutions allocating funds between the competing claims for credit will not make the policy decisions on the general level of credit. The Reserve Bank will make this decision for it alone is able to gather information on world trends and take a wide objective view of the needs of the New Zealand situation. Taxation policy will both encourage worthwhile productive effort end reward those who save out of income in order to invest. These incentives will be directed to the increase of production with a continuing regard for market possibilities in the export field. At all times a major aim of finance and tax policies will be to ensure that effective control of the economy remains within New Zealand.  CREDIT POLICY  1. With the Reserve Bank as the central authority in the New Zealand economy, other financial institutions will maintain their roles in normal banking and exchange business, except for controls on their opportunities to vary the level and cost of credit made available.  2. Long term indicative planning for the economy will influence the broad policy of expansion of credit and currency.  3. The community's credit and other resources will continue to be used as the basis for a permanent full employment policy. Resources will not stand idle simply through financial problems.  4. As the only trading bank wholly owned in this country the Bank of New Zealand will develop to take a more competitive rote as the leader in the operation of the financial system.  SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT.  1. The Labour Government will base its investment programme on three sources of revenue:  - current taxation.  - the savings of the people.  - some new credit.  At all times consideration will be given to the need for the private sector to obtain its share of the funds available for investment especially those that flow from the Government sponsored activities such as superannuation funds and the Accident Compensation Commission.  2. Consistent with the need for a sound economy the State will create and use credit at the lowest possible cost in order to speed development.  3. The policy of offering inducements other than higher interest rates for increased savings will continue and be expanded.  4. The Labour Government will extend the exemption from income tax on interest earned from personal savings accounts.  5. There will be further efforts to hold and to reduce interest rates on investment both through controls and through direct competition between Government and private institutions.  6. The programme of overseas borrowing will supplement the internal savings and investment measures. The aim will be twofold:  - to provide the long term capital needs which cannot be obtained from our current export earnings and  - while depressed trading circumstances persist, to compensate in part for the reduced earnings and avoid the disruptive effects that this would otherwise have upon our internal economy.  7. Parallel with this programme of overseas borrowing the Labour Government will ensure that control of New Zealand resources remains in New Zealand hands. The Development Finance Corporation will play a prominent role in this effort in raising and channelling both overseas and local funds for the expansion of production internally and in supporting New Zealand-based enterprise wherever possible.  8. The Overseas Investment Commission will continue its active supervision of all proposals which involve the investment of capital controlled by non-residents. It will also examine takeover proposals with the same purpose in mind.  TAXATION. Despite short term changes forced by the turnaround in overseas trading conditions, the Labour Government expects to obtain much of the revenue for its expanded social policies from an expansion of the economy. Tax policies therefore will be used to foster this development, and after development, to draw back to the community a share of the wealth so created. There will be further encouragement for export oriented industries both in of traditional and in new sectors. The Labour Government believes in a fairly graduated system of direct taxation as the main source of its revenue so there will be modifications both to meet social needs and to reflect changes in the economy. Because much of our investment needs to be based on personal savings there will also be an expansion of incentives for direct and for longer term contractual savings. Funds from these sources if they are to be available at low cost must be encouraged by tax concessions as well as the interest offered upon them. Local body finance is in need of very considerable overhaul. There will be negotiations between representatives of central and local government aimed at developing a system that spreads the burden more evenly over all members of the community than the present rating system, while leaving to local governments the responsibility for collecting the revenue they wish to spend. In this regard the relationship of present taxes from rating on property to revenue that is obtained from income, will clearly need to be reviewed. Such changes will accompany the move to regional government and the establishment of significantly larger units of local administration.  FISHING. New Zealand has access to large fishing resources and the LABOUR. GOVERNMENT will provide incentives and encouragement for the economic harvesting and marketing for both home consumption and export.  POLICY DETAILS. FINANCE.  The Rural Bank and Finance Corporation and the Development Finance Corporation will continue to be the means of providing finance from the Government sector to support and develop the Fishing Industry.  a. Financial help will be given in the training of young fishermen.  b. Courses upgrading the skills of fishermen will be provided by the Vocational Training Council. Financial assistance will be provided to assist those undertaking these courses.  INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT. In accepting the need to expand and foster exports the Labour Government has encouraged the development of new markets for our marine resources.  (a) Incentives will be introduced to encourage market orientated processing. The catching and marketing of the less popular and under fished species will be achieved by the introduction of volume incentives.  (b) While ensuring the adequate supply of fish for the New Zealand people at reasonable prices, exporters will have access to short-term finance at reasonable rates of interest to enable them to store and release stock to the overseas market at an economic rate.  The Labour Government will:  (a) Provide loans and make grants available for the manufacture of Rake Ace at approved ports.  (b) Give every assistance to joint ventures with overseas companies where they have worthwhile advantages to the New Zealand fishing industry.  (c) Encourage and foster fishing co-operatives.  (d) Undertake a comprehensive review of imported items needed by the fishing industry with the objective of giving relief from duty payments.  (e) Continue to give assistance to the Fishing Industry Board and require it to play a more decisive role in the development of New Zealand's fisheries.  CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH. The Labour Government has supposed and endorses international proposals to protect and conserve marine mammals. Suitable legislation will be introduced to afford them the necessary protection.  4. The Labour Government will:  a. Continue to press internationally for a fisheries management zone of 200 miles to be under New Zealand's full control.  b. Take every care in ensuring New Zealand's fresh and coastal waters are kept free from harmful pollution.  c. Enact legislation to protect the resources where there is a danger of overexploitation of species of fish and other marine foods.  d. In co-operation with commercial fishermen, the Labour Government will give more generous grants to the Fishing Industry Board ~ for experimental work carried out.  e. Research will be given every facility to provide the industry with a sound knowledge of the resources contained in the area under New Zealand's jurisdiction.  FORESTRY. New Zealand's forests will be managed for the benefit of New Zealanders. LABOUR will utilise the potential of our forests for New Zealand's social, recreational, ecological and economic well being.  1. PRODUCTION.  (a) Labour's afforestation programme will be designed to meet local wood requirements and to diversify our export economy by providing f ' or major forest industries.  (b) Labour will encourage those industries which:  - aim for maximum utilisation of wood.  - process to the maximum within New Zealand.  - expand production for export.  - develop new products.  (c) Clear felling of native forest will be permitted only if a study of social, environmental and economic factors demonstrate that it is in the nation's interest.  (d) Labour will foster more intensive management of native forests.  (e) Labour will consult and co-operate with the building industry to ensure that where possible the use of native timber is reserved for high quality purposes.  (f) Exotic forest planting will be expanded and advisory services increased.  (g) Encouragement will be given to public investment and to the creation of planting and tending organisations.  2. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Forest planting and the establishment of forest based industries will reflect Labour's Regional Development commitments.  3. FARM FORESTRY. Further research and large scale demonstration trials will be carried out in priority areas.  4. RECREATION.  (a) More State Forest Parks will be created.  (b) Access to indigenous state forests will be liberalised.  (c) Exotic forests near urban centres will be managed to meet a wider range of community needs.  (d) Recreational hunting will be facilitated on unoccupied lands of the Crown and in selected state forest areas.  5. BEECH FORESTS. Labour established the Beech Management and Utilisation Council in 1973. No final decision will be made on the use of South Island beech forests until the Council's preferred scheme has been considered by the Commission for the Environment.  6. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.  (a) Encouragement and assistance will be given for local government involvement in production forests, sand dune reclamation, native tree planting in parks, streets, etc.  (b) Private scenic reserves will be exempt from rates.  7. MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH.  (a) The Commercial Division of the Forest Service will be permitted to engage in a full range of activities.  (b) Research will aim towards optimum multiple use of our forests.  (c) Increased emphasis will be given to the rehabilitation of eroded (Class 7) land by the establishment of protection/production, forests.  (d) Labour will establish a land inventory to provide data for land use planning. (see Lands)  (e) Rules which apply for the foreign ownership of farmland shall apply also to land for forestry purposes.  (f) Legislation will be amended, where necessary, to reflect informed public opinion on management and utilisation.  HEALTH. LABOUR re-affirms that all New Zealanders are entitled to the best possible health services and that comprehensive medical care should be available as of right to all those needing it. A LABOUR GOVERNMENT will continue to work to fulfil these principles.  THE HEALTH SERVICE. A comprehensive review of our health services has been undertaken over the past three years and a new administrative approach formulated, which is outlined in the White Paper, A Health Service for New Zealand. The objective of the new approach is to provide a co-ordinated, integrated, comprehensive health service which emphasises the promotion of good health as well as the care of the sick. Administration will be on a regional basis. Consultations with all interested groups began early this year and will continue. Legislation embodying the final conclusion will be introduced next year.  THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.  (a) General. Labour's aim is to progressively upgrade the public hospital system. There will always be a place for private hospital care for those who prefer it but people must be given true freedom of choice. Access to hospital treatment should not be impeded by financial barriers or shortcomings in the public hospital system. Progress has been made in improving the standard of hospital services. Several key areas still cause concern and, in actively promoting a better overall service and pending the report of the Consultative Committees, the Labour Government will give particular attention to:  - Geriatric Care: Hospital boards will be assisted to establish senior geriatric posts, More attention will be given to providing facilities in general hospitals for acute short-term geriatric care and for long-term geriatric nursing care by hospital boards, religious and charitable organisations, and approved homes. The policy of providing removable accommodation adjacent to family homes for elderly relatives will be intensified.  - Waiting Lists: Adequate numbers of senior full-time surgical, medical and nursing staff are needed. Better use of accommodation and improvements in recruiting and training have helped to reduce waiting time, despite population increases. As further steps, the Government will encourage hospital boards to improve staff facilities and press for better management and more efficient use of beds and services.  - Diagnostic Services: The training and conditions of employment for medical technical staff of the diagnostic services in public hospitals will be upgraded.  - Accident and Emergency Departments. Provision will be made for the appointment of experienced senior staff to be in charge of these departments.  - Outpatients Departments: Facilities for treatment will be improved and an extended range of specialist services made available at outpatient clinics.  - Liaison between Hospitals and General Practitioners: co-operation will be fostered along the lines of that now existing between ward staffs and hospital based district and visiting nurses. More district nurses will be engaged and will maintain regular contact with general practitioners.  - Hospital Board Finance: The Government will, after consultation with the Hospital Boards Association, introduce an improved system of allocating hospital board finance.  (b) Psychiatric  1. Liaison between Psychiatric and General Hospitals: All psychiatric staff appointments will, as far as possible, include responsibilities to the psychiatric departments of general hospitals. Hospital boards and voluntary agencies will be encouraged to establish ancillary services, such as psychiatric outpatient and day patient facilities.  2. Follow-up Care: Senior nursing staff and social workers will be enabled to make home visits as part of such care.  3. Care of the Intellectually Handicapped: The intellectually handicapped should have the opportunity to live in the community and, to encourage this, families caring for a handicapped member will be assisted. The Labour Government will continue increasing its help to voluntary agencies to provide community services. Hospital boards will be assisted to provide services and facilities to complement voluntary agencies’ work.  COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. The Labour Government will continue promoting the development of health services to ensure that a wide range of medical services is available to patients in their own communities.  - New health centres and group practices will be encouraged by the Governments continuing policy of leasing suitable buildings at reasonable rents and by financing surgeries with loans at attractive interest rates.  - Hospital consultants will be enabled, where circumstances justify it, to run clinics at existing and future health centres.  - Attention will be given to expanding nursing and domestic help in the home.  GENERAL PRACTICE. The Labour Government recognises the family doctor's importance as the first link between the patient and the health services. To ensure that this service is as fully available as possible, the Labour Government will:  1. Encourage, by suitable financial help, the employment of practice nurses.  2. Encourage the extension and use of other ancillary aids, such as the public hospital district nursing service.  3. Encourage continuing medical education for general practitioners by making provision for postgraduate study.  COUNTRY PRACTICE. The Labour Government will maintain its policy of encouraging doctors to engage in country practice by:  1. Continuation of the rural practice nurse subsidy.  2. Continuation of bonuses on G.M.S. benefits and mileage rates.  3. The designation of special practices.  4. Granting bursaries for postgraduate study.  DOCTORS' CHARGES TO PATIENTS. The General Medical Services (G.M.S.) benefit will continue to be reviewed regularly with a view to minimising the patient's payment. The Labour Government will continue to improve the doctor/patient ratio by expanding medical education in existing pre-clinical and clinical medical schools and through the development of further schools.  PREVENTIVE MEDICINE. The importance of adequate immunisation for the prevention of illness is acknowledged. Free immunisation for school children will be provided through the Department of Health. Comprehensive preventive medicine programmes will be produced for presentation on radio and television and by other media.  CHILD HEALTH. Services already provided for children will be enhanced:  1. The school health service will be upgraded to provide frequent health inspections.  2. In line with the emphasis on preventive health care, the Labour Government will ensure that psychological services are provided, where necessary, to cater for children from pre-school level upwards.  PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS. The Labour Government will continually review the free list to ensure that necessary prescriptions will be available without cost to patients.  PROSTHETIC AIDS. Financial assistance will be provided for a wider range of aids through hospitals, including the provision of a free prosthetic aid after a mastectomy.  CHIROPRACTIC. A Committee of Inquiry will investigate the possibility of including chiropractic fees under the General Medical Services Benefit and the Accident Compensation Act.  DENTAL SERVICES. The Labour Government will:  1. Upgrade orthodontic facilities at public hospitals to make these more widely available and as an initial step make a partial refund towards the cost of orthodontic charges incurred outside public hospitals.  2. Offer bursaries for the study of orthodontics in New Zealand and overseas as a means of encouraging more dentists to take up this work.  3. Continue and expand the recently established training scheme for dental technicians at the Central Institute of Technology.  4. Review country dental services with the object of introducing incentives for servicing isolated regions.  NURSING. The role of the nurse in continuing patient care is vital. The Labour Government acknowledges nursing to be a profession in its own right and will:  1. Upgrade nurse training to ensure that any qualified nurse is encouraged to remain in the service and that incentives are offered to former trained nurses to attract them back into the profession.  2. Continue and expand the alternative programmes of training now operating in technical institutes to evaluate the changes necessary for improved nursing education.  1. Offer every inducement to overseas nurses coming to New Zealand to seek probationary registration.  2. Give nurses greater opportunity to train in more specialised aspects of their profession.  HOUSING. The aim of LABOUR'S housing policy will always be directed at ensuring that every New Zealander is adequately housed. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT'S housing policies for the next three years will be based on policies and measures designed to meet specific needs and to make LABOURS aim of adequate housing for all New Zealanders a reality.  HOME OWNERSHIP. The provision of long-term finance at reasonable interest rates is essential if the housing needs New Zealanders are to be adequately met and the fluctuations of the past are to be avoided.  - Labour will instigate a complete re-examination of the structure of housing finance with a view to ensuring that adequate, continuing and stable sources of mortgage finance are available.  - Labour accepts the need for better quality mortgage finance both as to amount and terms and is committed to the principle that all mortgages should be long-term loans with flexible interest rates and repayment terms according to the circumstances of the applicant.  - An increasing number of section loans will be made available for use in conjunction with building loans, which, with other measures, will result in a high proportion of first-home owners obtaining 90 per cent mortgage finance on new homes.  - The Labour Government's programme of building and financing houses for sale will be expanded and geared towards the needs of the middle-income groups. It will also be used as a means of ensuring continuity of work for the building industry.  - Labour will provide for more loans for middle-income families by encouraging more funds to come into housing by the wider issue of Housing Corporation stock issues.  - More loans will be made available to first-home seekers wishing to purchase existing properties. Joint venture schemes between the Housing Corporation and private enterprise to produce houses for rental and private or Corporation sale will be continued and encouraged.  - Housing Corporation tenants will be encouraged to purchase their own homes by making a payment in excess of their weekly rental and having the surplus credited to a Post Office Savings Bank Home Ownership Account.  - Loans will be more readily available in appropriate cases to single people where the applicant has the capacity to enter into a housing loan commitment. The existing age limit will be lowered to 25, and may be lower in special circumstances.  - Better provision will be made for loans for own-your-own units in high and medium density development with emphasis on providing assistance for single people and others without dependents.  - Labour will abolish any provisions which discriminate against women in regard to home ownership and housing rights.  - Whilst Labour considers that its primary responsibility must be towards those wishing to attain their first home, it recognises that there are many situations where further assistance from the Housing Corporation is required to meet special circumstances.  BETTER UTILISATION OF HOUSING STOCK. The better utilisation of our existing housing stock is an important means of overcoming the shortage of housing. Labour will:  - Provide a revolving fund for use by the Housing Corporation for this purpose.  - Make more loans available to first home seekers for the purchase of existing properties.  - Provide loans where the purchase of a property will increase its occupancy rate.  - Give second eligibility for a Housing Corporation loan to owners of existing dwellings who wish to sell and purchase a smaller unit.  - Provide loans for young families who have financed existing dwellings other than through the Housing Corporation and who need further finance to bring the dwelling up to a reasonable standard.  - Extend the Housing Corporation policy of purchasing existing homes, particularly in established localities, for modernisation and resale to young families.  - Build or buy smaller units suitable for the elderly, in settled localities, and offer these on a reciprocal sale basis, with bridging finance being provided in suitable circumstances.  HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY. Priority has been given to the provision of pensioner housing through local authorities, with the cost being met by way of loans and subsidies from the Housing Corporation. The Labour Government intends to take a more active role in the construction and provision of housing for the elderly particularly in areas of great demand. Policies already being implemented provide for increased support to local bodies and religious and welfare organisations for the provision of own-your-own flats and the construction of new homes for the elderly on a reciprocal sale basis. The Labour Government intends to initiate the construction of projects where appropriate. Projects will consist of pockets of smaller houses and town houses in existing communities. There will be no asset limitation on residents, the only requirement being that at least 90 per cent of the equity in the present home is put towards the replacement cost of the new home. Provision is also being made for those who wish to rent rather than purchase. The planning of future Housing Corporation developments will include a higher proportion of smaller units and town house developments than has been the case. The objectives of these policies are to provide attractive alternative accommodation for the many elderly people who are living in homes which are too large for their needs. Loans will be provided for up to 100 per cent of the cost of alterations and additions to homes and for the provision of "granny flats" for elderly relatives. This expanded loan provision represents a major advance on previous loan levels.  ALTERNATIVE HOUSING STYLES. Labour will encourage a wider variety of housing styles and types to meet the varied needs of the community.  - Advances in different types of construction, e.g., modular housing, lend themselves to adoption for a wider variety of living styles than is offered by the traditional family home. These advances will be investigated with a view to the provision of financing by the Corporation of housing for extended families.  - The provision of smaller units has traditionally been geared to the needs of the elderly. As part of Labour's policy of meeting varied housing needs, more emphasis will be placed on the needs of single people of all ages. Provision will be made for the construction of smaller units, town-house developments and the like, for purchase or rental by single people.  URBAN RENEWALS. Labour believes that in the urban environment, housing policies must he considered in line with public and social services. This is particularly so in urban renewal areas. A major study of all aspects of urban renewal will be undertaken with a view to expanding present policies and setting future guidelines.  - Labour will review, update, and consolidate all housing legislation, including legislation concerning urban renewal and housing improvements.  - Government support for urban renewal projects has been generous and this support will be continued, in conjunction with local authorities, for projects designed to revitalise inner-city areas. Finance will be made available for the provision of community facilities by way of the Neighbourhood Improvement Programme (see Environment Policy).  - A Labour Government will encourage the trend towards resettlement in the inner city and give emphasis to the rehabilitation of existing housing. Home improvement loans will be further promoted as a major factor in the upgrading of older areas. These loans cover all worthwhile housing improvements, including the making good of deferred maintenance.  - A house counselling service will be established in the Housing Corporation to advise on the best methods of rehabilitation.  - Further finance will be made available for the conversion of single-unit properties to two or, more flats where it is in the public interest to add to housing stock.  LAND PURCHASE AND SUBDIVISION. Land purchase and development policies will be continued on their present basis with the objective of creating a land bank of reasonably priced sections. These sections will be released onto the market in increasing numbers as part of Labour's measures to stabilise land prices.  - The policy of lending for the purchase of sections will be maintained and expanded as necessary. Joint ventures between the Government, local bodies and private enterprise for the development of sections will be continued.  - The Housing Corporation will be authorised to purchase land not zoned urban in those cases where the development of such land is necessary to ease pressure in existing urban areas.  - Sections will be made available for small builders.  - To speed section development a New Zealand wide code of engineering subdivision standards will be introduced.  GENERAL. Labour will:  - Examine the possibility of introducing a warranty scheme to cover new homes.  - Eliminate stamp duty on the purchase of an existing home for a first home ownership.  - Establish a comprehensive urban growth strategy after discussion with interested parties and the public (see Environmental Policy).  IMMIGRATION. Immigration has greatly benefited New Zealand in the past and can do so again in the future but for the time being significant restraints are necessary. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT undertook a comprehensive review of immigration policies and procedures with the objective of regulating immigration at a level that the country can absorb without social or economic strain. In this review our own needs were paramount but humanitarian consideration were properly weighed.  POLICY DETAILS. For the first time in our history, New Zealand now has a comprehensive immigration policy designed to meet but not oversupply present and future requirements. The level of immigration can and will be regulated to meet the unemployment, cultural, social and economic needs of this country.  1. Policy will be directed towards:  (a) Assessing and meeting New Zealand needs but without discrimination.  (b) Our interests in the international community.  (c) The need to minimise the impact of immigration on our way of life by aiding early and permanent integration.  (d) Safeguarding employment opportunities for our people.  2. The Research and Planning Survey Section of the Department of Labour will be strengthened to determine the requirements of industry and to pursue these policy objectives.  1. New Zealand's immigration policy will stress not only our own self interest but will be humane in its application and give due weight to family needs and social factors. Overall intake will be strictly limited and controlled but permanent New Zealand residents may sponsor:  (a) Their spouses, dependent children, aged or otherwise dependent parents, or a sole remaining member of the immediate family not resident in New Zealand.  (b) Their parents, even if they are not dependent, if their presence in New Zealand will complete the family unit.  (c) The reunion of a member of the immediate family, i.e. a brother or sister who may not be the sole remaining member of the family, should this be considered to be in the best interests of the person concerned or the sponsoring family and where accommodation and maintenance are assured.  4. New Zealand recognises a special responsibility towards the Island territories and countries of the South Pacific and for their mutual benefit has entered into self-regulating sponsored work permit schemes with the Governments of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. These are equivalent to treaty obligations and will be honoured, but full consideration will be given to the effect on Island economies of any outflow, especially of young, active people.  5. The objective will be to couple immigration policy with aid programmes so that in the longer term the Island nations may develop their economies and improve the standards of living of their people to provide better opportunities for purposeful employment at home and less need to emigrate. Of those authorised to come to New Zealand, higher standards of skill and better preparation for a changed way of life will be required. On their arrival training and assistance schemes will aid immigrants to adjust quickly to a new life and work within a new environment and to enable them to enjoy a full life and to make their contribution to the country's social, cultural and economic development.  6. The recommendations of the recently published report of the interdepartmental Committee on Settlement will be considered and implemented following consultations with interested agencies such as Polynesian councils, Government Departments, Church and welfare groups.  7. Every effort will be made to maintain the "open door" movement, of the citizens and long-term residents between Australia and New Zealand. Any evidence that this traditional and cherished right is being abused by third parties will be met by means that do not erode this long-standing freedom.  8. The Labour Government will continue to cooperate with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the New Zealand Inter-Church Committee for Refugees to admit refugees and others in comparable circumstances.  INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. Manufacturing capacity has greatly expanded since the election of the LABOUR GOVERNMENT and the doubling of manufacturers' exports in three years is an indication of the competence of this major sector in the New Zealand economy. Very considerable gains in growth and productivity can he made in the medium term in the manufacturing sector. The strategy is to promote efficient industries, particularly those with export potential, and encourage the re-organisation and rationalisation of industries where this will lead to higher productivity.  POLICY DETAILS. To achieve the desired level of manufactured exports, it is essential that manufacturers have the security of their home market so that they are able to achieve long run cost economies which enable them to be competitive on export markets. The level of protection at the frontier will continue to be determined on the basis of demonstrable requirements of industry consistent with the objectives of the maintenance of full employment and economic growth.  DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION.  1. The Development Finance Corporation will be encouraged to open additional offices beyond Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in order to provide more expeditious handling of the growing number of applications being received. Increased financial support will be available to industry for research and development and for the purchase of advanced equipment and new technology.  2. There will be an amalgamation of the administration of inventions development and industrial research and development grants into an expanded and more liberally financed inventions development authority. Where appropriate, the authority would be given the function of carrying new developments to the pilot plant or prototype stage to assist in earlier commercial production.  3. Depreciation rates for plant will be reviewed in order to encourage regular modernisation of plant with consequential productivity improvement.  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  1. During the last three years the outstanding success of the eleven Regional Development Councils in assisting existing industries and the establishment of new units in small communities opened a new era in New Zealand industrial development.  2. The Labour Government will set up further regional development councils where necessary and will strengthen and expand the role of existing councils. Existing forms of assistance, including freight subsidy, will be continued.  3. Early in the new year a conference of council representatives will meet to finalise extensions to the criteria of assistance in order to broaden the general range of assistance from industrial activities to other sectors of commerce.  CONSUMER PROTECTION.  1. The success of the Consumer's Institute established by the second Labour Government and greatly expanded in the last three years will be continued. The consumer complaints service will be expanded and additional staff engaged to work in Polynesian groups and communities.  2. The desirability of establishing x Consumer Ombudsman as in Sweden will be examined jointly by Government and consumer groups.  3. The Consumer Information Act will be reviewed, and advertising standards, including excessive and misleading advertising will be brought within the jurisdiction of the Commerce Commission.  4. Encouraged by the success of the Consumer Rights week in March 1975, the Government will take further positive measures to inform all members of the community of their rights and responsibilities as consumers and will encourage producer groups to participate, as In the past, with these activities.  5. The Labour Government regards the distribution industry as a highly important sector of the New Zealand economy. In order to achieve maximum efficiency Government will assist both administratively and financially, where necessary, in studies within the industry.  PRODUCTIVITY.  1. The Productivity Council drive has already achieved many of its targets. This work will be extended with continuing and expanded support for productivity groups. There will be special concentration on financial management for small businesses.  2. A scheme whereby 50 per cent of approved management consultancy costs incurred by small to medium-sized companies which want to develop and need advice will be established and financed by Government.  3. Measures designed to foster the productivity potential inherent in good labour relations including labour participation and in-company Improvement teams comprising both management and labour will be promoted by the Labour Government.  PRICES.  1. True and free competition is the best regulator of prices, but where this does not apply, regulatory action by the Labour Government will be taken in the consumers' interests.  2. In addition to the measures of price surveillance already successfully in practice and those now proposed, the Government regards its major contribution to price stability as being the encouragement of maximum efficiency in the fields of production and distribution. The continued and accelerated impetus already under way in the Government's productivity and conservation drives will do more than any other measure to achieve stability in costs and prices.  3. The direct relationship between costs, wage rates and taxation will be constantly under review.  CONSERVATION.  1. The Labour Government will approve subsidies or other forms of assistance in appropriate cases for the collection and recycling or other use of waste materials. There will be positive encouragement of further specific recycling processes such as plastics, paper, glass, metal shredding and other materials.  2. Total energy units in concentrated industrial centres will be encouraged and assisted by Government so that there can be more efficient and economical use of energy amongst adjacent industries.  3. The Labour Government recognises the important role that can be played by industrial design and will give continuing support to the Industrial Design Council with the request that the Design Council concentrate especially on the aspect of conservation.  IMPORTING. Blanket import licensing will not be introduced. Licensing will only be re-imposed where local manufacture is being seriously affected.  INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS. LABOURS objective is to improve and maintain democratic industrial relations, co-operation, human rights, human values, human dignity, full employment, economic justice, freedom and security.  THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT. The Labour Government has consistently adopted a common sense, rational approach to industrial problems, with a view to providing a proper industrial environment. It has already arrested the drift in industrial thinking by rebuilding a rapport between the Employers' Federation and the Federation of Labour and in turn a rank and file responsibility to the leadership of their own organisations. The Government has been supported in its endeavours by the Industrial Relations Council comprising representatives of both Employers' organisations and the Federation of Labour.  ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT. The Labour Government has adopted an Active Employment Policy that will promote the economic and Social welfare of the labour force It seeks to open up opportunities for those who might otherwise become the casualties of economic and technological change. With the support of the Industrial Relations Council and Government approval, an Inter-Departmental Committee augmented by representatives of employers and workers has the task of drawing up detailed measures to implement this policy. Key factors in the implementation of the policy include:  - The economic dimension of achieving full, productive and freely chosen employment.  - A rate of economic growth consistent with achieving other economic and social objectives.  - Achieving longer term economic objectives such as an equitable distribution of income and balanced regional development.  - Provision for retraining and relocation of workers experiencing redundancy.  The Social Dimensional aims are:  - Opportunities and incentives for workers of both sexes in all regions.  - Promotion of employment security for the individual and protection against economic hazards, particularly during periods of severe recession.  - The improvement of working conditions and fringe benefits.  - Widening the range of occupational and locational choice.  - Policies to include provision for the older, the handicapped, the educationally deprived and unskilled workers.  POLICY DETAILS. The Labour Government will:  (a) Continue policies of co-operation and rapport with employer and worker organisations in the areas of industrial relations, employment, and industrial development.  (b) Introduce amending legislation to modernise and consolidate all industrial measures presently under review.  (c) Keep under continued review the Industrial Relations Act and introduce amending legislation as experience demands.  (d) Pass guideline legislation enabling agreement to be reached on redundancy.  (e) Encourage employers and worker organisations to conduct their own industrial affairs according to democratic principles worked for and achieved by the parties themselves.  (f) Introduce legislation aimed at removing discrimination against women, and further implement measures complementing action already taken to advance equality for women.  (g) Continue to pursue research projects providing essential information for industry.  (h) Continue policies aimed at speedy settlement of disputes under the terms of the Industrial Relations Act.  (i) Further expand the mediation service.  (j) Keep under review financial incentives given to industry, for supervisory training, promotion of skills and industrial relations training.  (k) Encourage the workforce to maintain restraint on wage demands in periods of International economic recession.  (l) Provide continued support and assistance for industry training boards through the Vocational Training Council.  (m) Widen the powers of the Industrial Court to give jurisdiction over injunctions served on parties to industrial disputes.  (n) Investigate wage related payments to cover work incapacity due to illness as well as accident.  (o) Accelerate worker participation in management at all levels but particularly in the supervisory and work planning area.  (p) Investigate the practicality, desirability and cost of extending the Accident Compensation Scheme to provide where possible compensation for persons who suffer incapacity as a result of sickness, disease, or congenital defect other than as a result of accident.  INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. Since the election of a LABOUR GOVERNMENT in November, 1972, New Zealand has moved in international affairs with confidence and vigour. New Zealand's old friendships and traditional markets have been sustained and strengthened. New relationships and new markets have been formed in the Middle East, in Asia, in Latin America, in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. New Zealand's standing in the world has never been higher. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT will continue to seek out new opportunities for our nation. It will ensure that New Zealand plays a constructive role in the international community, a role to benefit New Zealand as well as its partners overseas. LABOUR believes in open Government. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT has consciously stimulated public discussion of every aspect of foreign policy. It will continue to do so because it believes in an open approach to foreign affairs. It is determined to ensure that its efforts are based on firm public understanding and support. Above all, it believes that New Zealand's foreign policy must reflect New Zealand's own way of life.  POLICY DETAILS.  1. The objectives of the Labour Party's international affairs policy are:  (a) To consider every international issue from a New Zealand point of view.  (b) To promote the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognises the inherent dignity and the inalienable rights of all people.  2. In accordance with those objectives the Labour Government has developed a foreign policy which aims to:  (a) Secure and maintain a peaceful future for our country; to reduce international tensions, to remove the causes of war and to develop a just, humane and peaceful world.  (b) Strengthen the rule of law and promote the role of the smaller nations in international forums.  (c) Improve regional co-operation by promoting confidence, stability, economic development and a community of interests, particularly in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.  (d) Overcome all forms of racial discrimination.  (e) Reduce the gap between rich nations and less developed countries, by extending aid to developing countries.  (f) Provide for expanding trading opportunities and economic and political relationships.  3. The Labour Government will continue its role in international affairs with the independence which New Zealanders value in their own society. It will continue to ensure that New Zealand's voice is listened to with respect in world councils.  THE COMMONWEALTH.  4. The Labour Government has restored the Commonwealth to a central place in New Zealand's policy. It will continue to help the Commonwealth as a family of nations pledged to co-operation, tolerance and understanding in world affairs and promote a partnership which transcends differences of size, race and wealth.  THE UNITED NATIONS.  5. The Labour Government is wholeheartedly pledged to support the United Nations. Despite its imperfections the United Nations is the world's only hope for peace and harmony.  6. The Labour Government will:  (a) continue to give practical and timely support to United Nations peace-keeping operations, its social and humanitarian activities; its fight against racism and its aim to achieve a better world economic order.  (b) continue the programme of training New Zealand Defence Forces in peacekeeping duties, so that New Zealand can make a definite contribution to a United Nations unit designed to act in a peacekeeping role.  (c) continue its vigorous support of the right of small nations to play an effective part in developing a world freed from the scourges of war, poverty and unequal opportunity.  REGIONAL CO-OPERATION  7. The labour Government will continue to foster regional co-operation in the Pacific area, by helping to develop a genuine community of Asian and Pacific nations.  SOUTH PACIFIC.  8. The New Zealand Labour Party firmly believes in the inherent right of the people of the South Pacific to self-reliance and, firmly believes in continued regional co-operation. To ensure the social, economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region, the Labour Government will:  (a) continue and expand its aid programmes in all forms to our South Pacific neighbours.  (b) recognise the need for both flexibility and sensitivity for expanded regional co-operation and strongly supports the establishment of the South Pacific Council.  (c) take positive measures in United Nations and other world forums to gain a nuclear free zone in the South Pacific.  (d) assist and promote with our South Pacific neighbours the established principle of international marine parks within the region to safeguard the ecological and environmental values of the region.  (e) ensure that New Zealand's policies are in complete accord with those of our near neighbours in trade, shipping, aviation, education and other areas.  9. The Labour Government is convinced that with its neighbours, it can make "The Pacific Way" an example to the world of effective co-operation and partnership.  ASIA.  10. The Labour Government's policy of discarding confrontation in favour of new methods of co-operation has been proven. The Labour Government will continue to:  (a) Strengthen its relations with all Asian nations.  (b) Support the concept of South-East Asia as a zone of peace, neutrality and freedom.  11. The Labour Government will withdraw from military involvement in Malaysia and Singapore in an orderly manner after consultations  TREATIES.  12. The Labour Government supports international agreements as a means of promoting social and economic policies in the regions they cover. The defensive alliance formed with Australia and the United States of America through the ANZUS Treaty will be maintained.  EUROPE.  13. Access to the markets of Britain and Europe is still extremely important and the Labour Government will continue to act steadfastly to strengthen our traditional friendship with European countries.  MIDDLE EAST.  14. The Labour Government supports the United Nations in its efforts to gain a just and peaceful solution in the Middle East. Labour acknowledges the right of Israel to exist in peace. The rights of the Palestinian Arabs are also acknowledged. The Labour Government will continue to seek new opportunities for New Zealand by expanding its diplomatic and trade relations with Middle East countries  NUCLEAR TESTING AND DISARMAMENT.  15. The Labour Government is opposed to all nuclear weapons testing. By its determined actions, in the Pacific, at the United Nations, in the International Court and in world forums, the Labour Government has succeeded in further stimulating international concern. The Labour Government is pledged to work for:  (a) An international disarmament agreement subject to equal rights of control and verification.  (b) The abandonment, for all time, of nuclear weapons testing.  (a) The establishment of a United Nations agency to control small arms trade  RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.  16. The Labour Government rejects all doctrines of racial superiority. The Labour Government will continue to:  (a) Support United Nations efforts to end racial discrimination wherever it is practiced.  (b) Seek the abandonment of apartheid policies wherever they are practiced.  (c) Assist those who suffer from racial oppression.  INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE  17. Because there can be no lasting stability or true international justice until all countries can provide their peoples the essentials of life, the Labour Government will continue to urge international action to:  (a) Bridge the gap between rich and poor.  (b) Devise a more just and rational use of resources.  (c) Dismantle trade barriers and share the benefits of technology.  (d) Provide all peoples equal opportunities.  (e) Promote practical international programmes to bring decency and humanity to world polities.  AID TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.  18. A Labour Government believes that New Zealand's contribution to Overseas Aid in all forms can be best met by close co-operation between Government and the voluntary agencies and organisations with an interest in developmental aid. The recently, appointed Advisory Committee on External Aid' and Development will prove most worthwhile in furthering this co-operation to the ultimate benefit of our neighbours. A Labour Government will:  (a) Move as rapidly as possible to the 1 per cent goal for total aid.  (b) Direct its aid to the people who need it most and to the areas, particularly the South Pacific and South-East Asia where New Zealand can make the greatest impact. Projects adopted will be in accord with the wishes of the recipient country.  (c) Widen the New Zealand content of aid in goods and services, where appropriate.  (d) Through its Voluntary Agency Support Scheme continue to support private organisations that have a commitment to Aid and Development projects. Assistance will be on a $1 : $2 subsidy basis.  (e) Continue and expand assistance to CORSO and Volunteer Service Abroad.  (f) In framing trade policies, take full account of the contribution which expanding trade can make to the development of the poorer countries.  CULTURAL EXCHANGES.  19. The Labour Government will continue and expand its vigorous programme to promote New Zealand culture abroad through exchanges, international exhibitions and publications.  REPRESENTATION.  20. The Labour Government has strengthened New Zealand's representation abroad strictly in accordance with the need to advance this country's interests, politically, regionally and in trade. We will continue to encourage New Zealand's mission to seek out new and effective ways of serving the wellbeing of New Zealanders.  JUSTICE, LAW AND ORDER. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT acknowledges that a better and more law-abiding society requires initiatives on two fronts: FIRSTLY: Continuing action to deal with crime, criminals and lawless elements by providing the law enforcement agency, the police, with the resources necessary for them to carry out their responsibilities. SECONDLY: Devising and moulding penal institutions which punish and deter, yet induce offenders to take a positive and constructive role in society upon their release, and thereby avoid re-offending. Specific areas in which initiatives in these areas have been and are being taken are:  ENFORCEMENT. Violence. Throughout the world violence is on the increase, and individuals, groups and nations resort to it more and more readily. New Zealand is not free from the sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant influences that say "Might is Right", but we have been more successful in curbing them than others. Labour's policy has been to be firm without yielding to hysteria and both legislation and administration have been directed first to better prevention and then better detection of offences. As a result there has, notwithstanding world trends, been no significant increase in serious offences of violence. Every advantage is being taken of sociological and preventive experience to cope with violence. Police Staffing. The numerical strength of the Police Service is based on a formula in ratio to the total population. Less than a month after assuming office the Labour Government approved a new manning ratio of one policeman to every 800 of population. The figure has been progressively improved and now stands at one for every 730 of population. A policy of further increasing the Police strength by improving the Police to population ratio will be maintained. Wherever possible trained policemen will be released from routine duties to allow them to be deployed in the field. For this reason Government has authorised substantial increases in civilian staff employed by the Police Department and to date 187 additional civilians have been employed. Policewomen now have the opportunity of equalling men in rank and job opportunity.  Radio Equipment. The use of radio equipment will set up more base stations and enable more country constables' cars to be fitted with radios, while lightweight portable radio equipment has been purchased for the Armed Offenders Squad. Major telecommunication control systems have been installed at Christchurch and Hamilton. Wellington and Auckland operations rooms are now completed and installations of the equipment will be started shortly. During the past year the purchase of a considerable quantity of electronic test equipment was approved. Some 230 transceivers were received and 200 have already been fitted to vehicles, including vehicles in rural areas or used as portable sets. The purchase of multi channel tape recorders for use in the four main centres has been approved. Unlawful Assembly. In 1973 the Government introduced an amendment to the Crimes Act 1961 to attack the problem of gang violence and other unlawful assemblies. The amendment widened the law by allowing the police to check a potentially riotous situation in the early stages. This is especially so in the case of motor bike gangs where mobility causes the police problems. Under the old law the threat of violence had to relate to the immediate vicinity of the assembly.  In addition, the provisions for binding over were extended. Those who threaten certain criminal acts can be brought before a magistrate and bound over, with or without surety, to remain law abiding. The list of threatened acts was added to.  Corrective Training. Methods of dealing with offenders have always been a thorny problem and this is particularly so with young offenders. The Criminal Justice Amendment Act will abolish borstal training which was regarded as an unsuccessful sentence. Its place is to be taken by a 6 months sentence of corrective training. In addition, the present sentence of detention in a detention centre will be replaced by a virtually identical sentence of 3 months corrective training. The sentence will be a much more positive one than is borstal with the emphasis on physical fitness, hard work and mental stimulation rather than simply lengthy, indeterminate, incarceration. It is hoped that a stiff active 3 to 6 months will be a more apt and therefore successful way of dealing with young offenders.  Criminal Injuries Compensation. Victims of crime come within the accident compensation scheme and as a result of this the Government has improved the position of those who suffer personal injuries by reason of others' crimes. Previously the cover was under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1963 but the compensation payable was less than that now payable under the Accident Compensation Act.  Concern and Aid for the Victims of Crime. The power of a Court to order payment of up to half the fine imposed on an offender has been extended to cover all cases of unprovoked physical injury and compensation may now be claimed for criminal damage to property.  Periodic Detention. The facilities available for this sentence, which involves only attendance at weekends and evenings, and includes the performance of work for the community, have been extended. The number of offenders serving periodic detention has almost doubled since the Government came into office and is now over 1200 per weekend. This increase represents, a large number of offenders, many of whom would otherwise have gone to prison, now including women, who have served sentences without being removed from society and who at the same time have done something constructive for society.  COMMUNITY POLICING. Aside from the purely law enforcement aspect of the role of the police, the service has been encouraged by a Labour Government actively to involve itself in work for the community as a whole.  Stemming from this has been the widening of the extensive role played by the police among young New Zealanders by the establishment of the Youth Aid section and working through schools and other agencies, to foster understanding and confidence in the police and an appreciation of their willingness to assist in overcoming social problems; and of "J" teams involving work with Polynesian peoples and social welfare agencies to work amongst the young in an effort to steer them along the right lines of social behaviour. Through their involvement in Children's Boards, established under the Children and Young Offenders Act, the police are also actively involved in rehabilitation of young people. Positive moves have also been taken to promote crime prevention within the community by involving community organisations and through departmental efforts. Community relations sections have been established as an initial step towards understanding and appreciating the lifestyles of our multicultural society and thus prepare the various groups of newcomers more adequately to identify themselves as New Zealanders. Police presence and co-operation with youth and community activities from after school until 10 p.m. is seen as a further measure to encourage worthwhile youth activity in a desirable environment. This will be promoted with police in their mid-to-late fifties being encouraged to accept appointments to this role. They have years of practical experience to offer. The true and wider functions of the police are to foster acceptable standards of behaviour by other than punitive measures. A Labour Government has done much to achieve this very desirable social objective and will continue to work strenuously towards these ends in the best interests of the community and those who protect the community, the police.  Administration of Justice. The Labour Government recognises the fundamental need for the legal system to be accessible and relevant to the public, as well as efficient. The court system has been under increasing pressure in recent years and the time has come for a major review. A significant place for trained Justices of the Peace will be emphasised in this review. Judges and Magistrates of the highest possible calibre will of course continue to be appointed in increasing numbers as is necessary. A major programme of replacing and extending court facilities will be continued, with increased provision for public access and information. The availability of legal services in the community will be investigated, with special emphasis on the improvement of the duty solicitor and legal aid schemes as well as the encouragement of "neighbourhood law offices." The principle of recovering the cost of successful legal aid in civil matters will be extended to criminal legal aid in suitable cases. The Department of Justice will be strengthened by increased staffing in key areas and it will seek, to bring the work of the Courts more into the life of the community.  Matrimonial Law. The whole code of family law will be reviewed and its administration simplified. The object will be to maintain the stability of marriage and family and the security of the matrimonial home, but to acknowledge the reality that some marriages do collapse beyond repair, an event which should be accepted in law as well as in fact. The law should be concerned more with whether a marriage has irretrievably broken down, rather than why; and whatever inquiries must be made should be pursued informally but with dignity. It should and will approach each case as a family problem, with particular concern for any children.  Matrimonial Property. The Matrimonial Property Amendment Bill marks a radical new approach to a Very difficult problem. It deals with division of property between spouses who are living but estranged. To extend this to cover surviving spouses presents even knottier problems but the Government's Exploratory Paper indicates the lines along which it is thinking.  Sale and Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor. The licensing law will be further reviewed, the legislation introduced this year being of an interim nature only. A body modelled on the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Board (recommended by the Royal Commission) will be set up to deal with the growing and urgent problems of alcoholism and another to inquire into and report on the viability and need for capital projects proposed by Licensing Trusts.  Commercial Law and Practice. A special section has been set up within the Justice Department and has already proved its worth in day-to-day surveillance of business activities and in containing and remedying certain company crises that would otherwise have had disastrous effects on the economy. It will be strengthened and extended to provide protection for consumers and investors. The law relating to companies and corporations generally will be reviewed to curb unfair business practices.  Punishment of Offenders. Deprivation of privileges is as great a deterrent as deprivation of liberty, without incurring the same drastic economic and domestic consequences. Consequently, the Government will continue to search for and provide alternatives to full custodial imprisonment. These will leave the offender in the community, at his job and still significantly with his family, but put his otherwise free time to good corrective and rehabilitative use. This will avoid punishing the innocent along with the guilty, contribute to national production and reduce public expenditure. It will also facilitate the enforcement of restitution. At the same time more emphasis will be placed on compensating the victims of crime. Although monetary payments are often inadequate, especially for physical injuries, they provide the only means of doing so and they will be more vigorously applied and enforced. The Courts have already been given greater powers to enable victims to share in fines imposed; the grounds upon which restitution orders may be made and the means for enforcing them will both be enlarged.  Official Secrets and Access to Official Information. The protection given to State documents is being overhauled. The Official Secrets Act will be repealed and radically reconstructed to ensure that only such information as is fundamental to the security of the State will be covered. Specific categories of protection will be established to remove uncertainty and normal rules of proof will apply in cases of unauthorised disclosure. At the same time legislation will be introduced emphasising the right of the citizen to have access to State documents that do not call for special protection.  Law Revision. A continuing process of law revision is necessary to ensure that the law is deserving of the respect demanded for it and that it is in harmony with the developing needs of the community. The strengthening of existing law reform procedures and their servicing will be given a high priority. The universities and other educational institutions will be invited to play a greater role in the law revision process. Major reviews will be undertaken within important areas of the law: these include liquor licensing, company law, insurance law and the law relating to matrimonial disputes (particularly over property). As part of a policy to increase the efficient use of valuable police and court time a code of minor criminal offences, eliminating archaic provisions and modelled on the structure of the Crimes Act will be enacted.  LAND. The New Zealand LABOUR PARTY accepts that the 1 present and future social and economic wellbeing of New Zealand is essentially dependent upon its people, land and resources and affirms that the land shall at all times remain in the ownership, management and control of New Zealand citizens, or persons residing in New Zealand permanently.  POLICY DETAILS.  1. A Labour Government will:  (a) Review and strengthen the provisions of the Land Settlement Promotion and Land acquisition Act to cover all land.  (b) Prevent undue aggregation of land.  (c) Accelerate the completion of' the New Zealand land inventory to aid the determination of criteria for future land use.  (d) Review Government land holdings to ensure effective utilisation, management and co-ordination through the central land agency established within the Department of Lands and Survey.  2. Labour will expand and accelerate its programme of land purchase, development and settlement in the rural sector and in particular:  (a) Provide an accelerated programme for the settlement of dairy, sheep and cattle farmers.  (b) Accord priority to areas where increased utilisation will provide clear economic and social benefits.  (c) Ensure that the Marginal Lands Board will continue to function and maintain a close liaison with the Rural Banking and Finance Corporation and provide a "last resort" farm lending service.  (d) Ensure that the best use is made of the South Island high country and will take into account the rights of the run holders, the potential of the land for improvement and guarantee that appropriate areas are set aside for recreational purposes.  (e) Further ensure that important water shed and other protection needs will be met.  3. A Labour Government will continue to make land available to local government and approved community organisations for:  (a) Housing schemes for the elderly.  (b) Social welfare, cultural and recreational purposes.  4. The Labour Government has recognised the right of New Zealand citizens to participate in different but constructive life styles and further recognises social based land settlement programmes and will continue with the "Ohu" scheme.  5. The Labour Government believes that the public should have reasonable right of access to all New Zealand coastal and lake foreshores and defined rivers and streams at all times. In addition, a Labour Government will:  (a) Continue to protect coastal foreshore land and accelerate the acquisition of such areas by purchase, lease or beneficial arrangement with land owners concerned.  (b) Review all enactments related to National Parks, Reserves and Domains with a view to improving the management of the areas concerned and ensuring their protection and public participation.  (c) Provide increased financial assistance to local authorities in the acquisition and protection of all reserves.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT. LABOUR introduced and passed the local Government Act 1974 which will restore to territorial authorities the prestige and respect they should command as an essential element in local government structure. In addition LABOUR has introduced changes to improve and simplify participation at local elections, including the lowering of the voting age to 18. It has aided local body finances and increased the efficiency of the Fire Services with the full operation of the Fire Services Commission.  POLICY DETAILS. ADMINISTRATION.  1. Labour will continue to support and strengthen regional and local government. Greater autonomy will be given to local government and where considered desirable activities of a regional and local nature will be diverted from Government departments to regional authorities.  2. The Municipal and Counties Act will be merged into one comprehensive Act. The Local Government Commission, which was strengthened last year, will continue to prepare the basis for strong regional and local government.  3. The Commission will be encouraged to share its ideas with local authorities before scheme plans are prepared. The Commission's principal task is to prepare schemes establishing regional government throughout New Zealand.  4. Regional bodies will co-ordinate region wide activities, and are to take over the functions of special purposes authorities (such as airport authorities, electric power boards, fire boards, regional water boards, and petrol tax administering committees) and of territorial authorities where appropriate. In each region there will be a 'regional council' elected by all residents over 18 years and with its own rating power or a 'united council' with members chosen from constituent territorial authorities and levies to be apportioned among them by the Local Government Commission. District schemes prepared by the Commission may provide for the union of districts, the constitution of new ones or the abolition of existing ones, or for the alteration of boundaries. Polls on final schemes may be requested on proposals for the constitution of new districts, the union of districts, or the inclusion of a whole or part of one district in another. Fifteen per cent of electors in the combined areas or in the enlarged district may request a poll. More than 50 per cent must vote 'no' over the whole area for a scheme to be defeated. A defeated scheme may be resubmitted at succeeding local elections.  5. District councils will progressively replace 'boroughs' and 'counties.' This is an interim measure pending a revision of the Municipal Corporations and the Counties Acts.  6. Community Councils will encourage public participation in local affairs. They may be constituted by the Commission, territorial authorities, or on local initiative. They will co-ordinate and express local views to the appropriate body and perform delegated functions. A representative may attend meetings of the parent territorial authority and take part in discussion of matters relating to the community, but without voting powers. Community Councils must meet every six months.  7. Unlike the purely advisory Community Councils, District Community Councils will have representation on their district council and have rating powers, and their members will receive remuneration. All country boroughs have become District Community Councils.  FINANCE. As regional governments are established consideration will be given to extra forms of raising revenue other than by rates. Regular reviews of all forms of government financial assistance will be conducted by the Government in consultation with the local authorities association. The special assistance fund introduced in the 1975 Budget will be extended to local authorities who because of factors beyond their control are unable to meet their commitments from rates.  RATE RELIEF. In the short term, the system of relief for residential ratepayers on benefits and other low incomes will continue and through this policy gradually extended to provide wider relief. Every ratepayer will meet the first $50 of his rate, plus one-third of the remaining amount. The oilier two-thirds will be met by central government subject to the abatement provisions indicated below. The full rebate will be available to ratepayers whose income does not exceed $4250 including the wife's income plus $156 for each other dependant. If the ratepayers income exceeds the limits above, the rebate will be reduced by $1 for ,every $8 in excess of the limits. The rebate will only be available to an owner-occupier of a residential property. The ratepayer will have the option of declaring his income to his authority or claiming his rebate from the Inland Revenue Department after he has paid the full rates. Where a system of payment of rates by instalment is operating, consideration will be given to rebating the instalments where applicable.  LAND AND HOUSING. Local bodies will be encouraged to enter more and more into the Housing field, particularly in provision of a variety of units for the elderly, urban renewal and town houses for young people.  Local authorities will continue to be able to buy development land for industrial purposes and for the erection of industrial buildings.  OMBUDSMAN. The jurisdiction of the Ombudsman has been extended to include local bodies and ad hoc authorities. Any decision or recommendation made or any act done or omitted by any local authority may be now investigated.  MAORI AFFAIRS. The New Zealand LABOUR PARTY, recognising New Zealand as a multicultural society, adheres firmly to the policy of promoting and ensuring the continuing advancement of the Maori people. It further recognises that the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the Maori people can best be attained by ensuring their personal and collective involvement in decisions that affect their interest and destiny, so enriching the total New Zealand society.  RACE RELATIONS. Labour believes in the right of all of its citizens to free association and that meaningful race relations can be effectively achieved by the promotion of equal and diverse opportunities. The Labour Government will:  (a) Expand the role of the New Zealand Race Conciliator for the active public promotion of race relations to strengthen racial harmony.  (b) Ensure that no individual or group is denied or deprived in New Zealand society by reason of his race, creed or sex and  (c) Further provide for the promotion of equal employment opportunities.  LAND. Labour adheres firmly to the belief in the just right of the Maori people to own, control and manage their land interests according to custom and further recognises the links that land has for the individual and his family, tribe and region, and will actively promote policies for the fullest utilisation of Maori land in every instance. The Labour Government will:  (a) Retain Maori land in customary ownership.  (b) Ensure the return to the Maori people where possible, lands which were doubtfully acquired by the Crown.  (c) Affirm its current policies for the protection of Maori land in every practical instance.  (d) Progressively settle outstanding and historical grievances by negotiation.  (e) Provide that Maori land shall not be acquired compulsorily for any purpose without the full knowledge of the owners or the concurrence of the Minister of Maori Affairs and the Minister of Works and Development.  (f) Ensure the active settlement of individual and Maori families in all fields of land activity by extending the powers of the Maori Land Advisory Committees for this purpose.  MAORI LAND INCORPORATIONS. The Labour Government firmly believes in the concept of Maori land incorporations with its family based operations and will:  (a) Expand its lending provisions.  (b) Encourage the establishment of a Federation of Incorporations and  (c) Actively promote careers for young Maori people within the framework of incorporations by financial assistance towards training programmes.  LEGISLATION AFFECTING MAORI LAND. The Labour Government recognises the inhibiting restrictions that some enactments such as the Town and Country Planning Act have for the Maori people and their land interests and will ensure and encourage local authorities to cater for the needs of the Maori people within this Act, supported by appropriate amendments to this end. The Labour Government will also ensure that the use of the Public Works Act is fully scrutinised.  MAORI RESERVE LANDS AND MAORI TRUSTEE. The Labour Government will take active steps to progressively implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Maori Reserved Lands for the principal purpose of restoring ownership, control and management of reserve lands in the beneficial owners. The functions of the Maori Trustee will be completely overhauled. The Labour Government will also consolidate all Maori land legislation.  VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND TRADE TRAINING. A Labour Government will:  (a) Expand the pre-employment and trade training facilities to ensure that both Maori boys and girls are able to undertake effective opportunities.  (b) Expand the current programmes to urban Polynesian youths.  (c) Establish New Opportunities centres for both social and occupational training, particularly in urban areas.  (d) Encourage welfare and other approved organisations to establish accommodation by realistic incentives and  (e) Expand the functions of the Director of New Opportunities to give effect to the needs of youth.  MAORI PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. The Labour Government adheres to the belief of the Maori peoples' right to just and adequate Parliamentary representation and affirms its support for the provisions of the Electoral Act which will:  (a) Provide the right to a Maori to enable enrolment on the roll of choice and  (b) Increase representation according to their total population.  HOUSING. The Labour Government recognises that family happiness and stability arises from greater opportunities for good homes and will:  (a) Continue and maintain its record housing programme.  (b) Ensure that the full provisions of Labour's housing policy apply to the Maori people and  (c) Continue to provide for the establishment of adequate housing for the elderly and particularly in rural or marae situations.  MAORI CULTURE AND TRADITIONS. The Labour Government will continue to give every encouragement for the retention of and expansion of cultural activities, customs and traditions as well as the promotion of the Maori language in every instance. The Labour Government will:  (a) Establish a council with an expanded role in this sphere, to replace the Maori Purposes Fund Board.  (b) Increase its financial assistance to the council for the work.  (c) Continue its support for the continued promotion by clubs, and regional and national activity of cultural pursuit.  (d) Set up Advisory Cultural Councils to encourage cultural and professional activities.  (e) In recognition of the role that maraes play in the lives of the Maori people, progressively implement the report of the Government Committee on Maraes.  SOCIAL WELFARE. The Labour Government will continue to pursue co-ordinated activities through all State departments to improve the social conditions of all its citizens including the Maori people and will:  (a) Support the establishment of community or citizens advice bureaux.  (b) Promote training for Maori voluntary social workers.  (c) Increase grants towards this area of activity and particularly the promotion of law and order.  (d) Increase the number of community officers, social team services and legal aid services and  (e) Continue and increase its financial support towards Maori welfare organisations to assist in their valuable work.  MAORI WOMEN. The Labour Government recognises the need for improving the status and role of all women, particularly that of Maori women and girls, and will therefore:  (a) Seek the co-operation of the Maori Women's Welfare League and other women's organisations in the promotion of these objectives.  (b) Make provisions, particularly in urban areas, for the working mother, by the establishment of child care centres and  (c) Actively promote skilled programmes for Maori women and girls in all categories of occupations.  MAORI TRUST BOARDS. The Labour Government recognises the valuable role that the trust boards continue to play as custodians for the interests of the Maori people and will therefore:  (a) Expand their role to include the provisions by financial incentives for housing of the elderly.  (b) Assist and establish accommodation for the young.  (c) Vest Maori land interests in them.  EDUCATION. The Labour Government firmly believes that a successful society is dependent upon an enlightened and effective educational programme. While the full provisions of Labour's educational policy apply to the Maori and Polynesian people it will further:  (a) Continue to encourage and expand this work in the field of pre-school education.  (b) Promote culture, language and traditions as part of the curriculum.  (c) Ensure that no Maori child or student is deprived of the opportunity for continued educational advancement through the lack of any resources.  (d) Encourage the Maori elder to take a participating part in the promotion of the general well being of the young Maori.  OVERSEAS TRADE. New Zealand’s economic and social development depends on increasing overseas earnings on a secure and stable basis. The Labour Government is committed to continue and expand its vigorous trade policies and trade development programmes.  POLICY DETAILS. SERVICES TO EXPORTERS  1. The Labour Government will continue its policy of expanding the trade commissioner service and strengthening existing trade posts. Over the last three years, new trade posts have been opened in the Middle East, Europe, U.S.S.R., China and South-East Asia.  2. A new service in the form of specialised export opportunity teams, comprising representatives of both the private and public sectors and specialising in specified product groups, will be organised to seek out and assist producers of goods and services to exploit new markets abroad.  EXPORT PRODUCTION AND FINANCE.  1. Specific encouragement will be given to expand industrial production for export rather than exporting surpluses not needed in the domestic market.  2. For this purpose the Labour Government will continue to provide an improved and wider range of financial services for exporters. Financial facilities and special assistance to exporters already offered through the Development Finance Corporation will be enlarged and extended.  3. The Labour Government will, also ensure that higher priority is given to financing export undertakings through normal banking channels. This would be assisted by the payment of interest rate subsidies based on a percentage of the capital value of the loan to exporters not qualifying for special assistance. Financial institutions will, where appropriate, also be permitted to substitute export loans for a proportion of their Government security holdings.  EXPORT ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES.  1. The Labour Government will continue to maintain the strengthened and extended range of export incentives for goods and services with further improvements being made where these are desirable to meet the changing needs of New Zealand's trade as it develops.  2. To this end there will be a close study into the establishment of a value-added incentive scheme to encourage the export of goods with a greater New Zealand content.  3. It is recognised that New Zealand’s greatest potential for widening our economic base and stabilising export earning lies with our manufacturing sector. As a result of Government initiatives over the past three years manufactured exports now provide over 20 per cent of export income. As a specific measure to further assist in achieving the targets being pursued by exporters of manufactured goods Government financial assistance will be given to co-ordinating and extending the work of the Export Institutes on a wider basis.  INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS.  1. Over the last three years the Labour Government has secured better returns for butter and cheese supplied to Britain through negotiation with the E.E.C. As well we have succeeded in averting most serious restrictions on entry of our products to markets of our major trading partners when they are undergoing serious economic recession.  2. The Labour Government will continue the development of closer consultative relations with trading partners including the E.E.C., Middle East countries, Russia, China and Eastern Europe, and ensure that New Zealand plays its part in international organisations to achieve more stable and secure trading conditions.  3. The Labour Government will also consolidate and improve trading relations with Australia under the NAFTA, with a view to reducing the trade imbalance and providing growing neighbouring export markets which will encourage mutual industrial development to meet the needs of the combined markets.  EXPORT-IMPORT CORPORATIONS  1. Under the Labour Government the Export- Import Corporation will be charged with the responsibility of helping to develop the export opportunities which new Government initiatives will open up.  2. It will be given the necessary finance by Government to establish overseas additional warehousing and cool store facilities to ensure an efficient servicing of the new markets.  3. It will, if requested, accept and market the products of New Zealand manufacturers particularly those who do not have their own marketing resources.  4. It will be backed by the resources of the Government and become a significant complementary agent for private sector export development.  FREIGHT RATE ASSISTANCE. A Labour Government will, where appropriate, grant internal freight subsidies to goods destined for overseas markets. Such subsidies will be available for carriage of goods to the nearest practicable port for shipment.  Recreation & SPORT. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT has successfully promoted the encouragement of a more meaningful use of leisure time. LABOUR will continue to give every New Zealander a greater opportunity for creative and community activities. We believe in the need for sport and recreation to be taken into account in social planning.  POLICY DETAILS:  1. As part of a Neighbourhood Improvement Programme Labour will encourage the use of community centres and schools for recreational purposes by everyone, the family, the retired, the disabled and the young (see Environment).  2. Labour will create greater recreational opportunities and will encourage local authorities to establish creche and child care centre facilities for this purpose.  3. Labour will continue with the distribution of recreation funds to national and local groups and encourage sports bodies to plan a minimum three-year development programme.  4. New Zealand sports bodies will be encouraged to realise their recreational potential by promoting their sport as a community recreation.  5. Labour will encourage schools to appoint Recreational Guidance Officers to enthuse those not attracted to competitive sports into some form of leisure activity.  6. A scheme of short-term loans in addition to grants will be introduced to enable groups to develop much needed facilities. This scheme will not interfere with the independence and character of voluntary groups.  7. Grants for research and international sports participation will be continued.  8. Through the Council for Recreation and Sport, professional guidance services will be available for local authorities, clubs and organisations to develop leadership, coaching skills and administration techniques. Salaries of approved staff employed in recreation and sport agencies and by the local authorities will be subsidised.  9. Holidays in New Zealand will be encouraged and family summer schools at our lakes, parks and reserves will be expanded.  10. Import licence controls on recreation and sporting equipment, not readily available in New Zealand, will be liberalised as circumstances permit.  SCIENCE AND RESEARCH. Scientific and technological resources are vital to the growth and development of New Zealand's economic, industrial and social progress. It is essential that the personnel in this field work in an environment which offers them maximum opportunity to use their talents and, at the same time, to take their full share of responsibility in the nation's development.  POLICY DETAILS. The Labour Government will:  1. Ensure that salaries, conditions of work, and research opportunities are so related to those of nations competing for this talent that there will be no undue loss of high calibre manpower to other countries.  2. Continue the policy of expanding the manpower engaged in the fields of agricultural, forestry, fisheries and mineral production.  3. Considerably increase the level of effort in such fields as:  a. The production and processing of our agricultural, forestry, mineral and other natural resources.  b. Liaison, extension services and research generally in the manufacturing sector.  c. The Social Services.  d. Environmental and pollution investigations.  e. Energy.  f. Transport.  4. Recognise the importance of applied science as an investment in the development of our resources, and expand opportunities which encourage individuals, industry and the universities to carry out research and development, work in the nation's interest.  SOCIAL SECURITY MONETARY BENEFITS.  Labour will:  1. Over the next three years progressively increase the Means Test Benefits to a level which will ensure that a married couple receives a guaranteed income no less than 90 percent of the net ordinary time average weekly wage. A single beneficiary will receive no less than 60 percent of the married couple benefit rate.  2. Continue to adjust social security benefits, apart from family benefit, every six months so that they keep pace with any movement in the beneficiaries special cost of living index.  3. Ensure that the level of allowable income and the rate of abatement for income above that level are reviewed whenever the general level of income changes so that beneficiaries are able to take reasonable opportunities to undertake casual work.  4. Review the rate and structure of family benefit to ensure that the form of cash aid by which the community shares in the financial demands on a family with children maintains a reasonable balance between those wage and salary earners with children and those without children.  5. Revise payment of sickness benefits to those in hospital to remove discrimination between patients in psychiatric and general hospitals.  6. Investigate the practicality, desirability and cost of extending the Accident Compensation Scheme to provide where possible compensation for persons who suffer incapacity as a result of sickness, disease or congenital defect other than as a result of accident.  7. Make provision for a benefit on death to be extended to include a widower with dependent children.  8. Make means test benefits available to all New Zealand citizens.  9. Pay the sickness benefit from the first day off work where the time lost is one week or more.  10. Extend the opportunity of contributory superannuation to dependent minders.  SOCIAL WELFARE. The continued aim of LABOURS social welfare policy is to ensure that everyone has equality of opportunity to develop and live the fullest life, in responsible caring communities. While recognising the importance of monetary benefits and adequacy of income, this policy is designed to give a new emphasis to the quality of life to reach beyond the matter of mere financial provisions to social and cultural fulfilment. It aims to promote a stronger community for the prevention of social problems.  POLICY DETAILS. The Labour Government will, in order to ensure a co-ordinated fully effective social welfare programme, initiate a comprehensive review of social service work under the various Government departments. The review will produce an outline for a comprehensive reorganisation of New Zealand's social services, including:  - More decentralisation in the administration of social services.  - The co-ordination of other Government departments to ensure liaison in social development.  - A clear specific statement of the Labour Government's Social Service goals.  - Continuation of the development of the New Zealand Council of Social Welfare to provide for regional participation.  TRAINING FOR SOCIAL WELFARE WORKERS. The Labour Government will further expand staff training courses, with particular emphasis on:  1. Greater opportunities for voluntary agency workers.  2. More frequent in-service training.  3. Courses for new officers.  4. Specialised training for benefits staff at all levels.  5. Intensifying support to community based services, with particular emphasis on the provision of paid-trained staff.  PREVENTIVE WELFARE. The Labour Government will:  1. Place particular emphasis on policies and programmes aimed at the promotion of an improved social environment and the general welfare of individuals, families, and communities.  2. Make grants in aid available to expand support to voluntary organisations undertaking work for the promotion of community, family, and personal well being.  3. Encourage co-operation and co-ordination among social service organisations which are assisting individuals, families and communities to overcome social problems with which they are confronted.  4. Provide practical help and advice, through the Department of Social Welfare so as to:  - Assist communities in identifying social problems and in planning to meet them.  - Develop social welfare services within the community.  - Create opportunities for volunteers to participate in social welfare work within the community.  5. Assist voluntary organisations to take advantage of the Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act.  SOCIAL ASPECTS OF AGEING. The Labour Government will:  1. Extend domiciliary care of the aged to enable an aged person to more readily live within his own home.  2. Provide assistance for the establishment and maintenance of geriatric day care centres.  3. Promote a special programme to help individuals make the social and behavioural adjustment to life in retirement.  4. Encourage the community to provide services and facilities to assist the aged with the numerous functional and social problems to which they must frequently adapt and adjust in their later years.  5. Co-operate with the National Old People's Welfare Council to improve the flow of information to and from the agencies and community groups which are working amongst the aged in our community, and to improve general knowledge of social security and welfare services and assistance which may be available for the aged.  CHILDCARE. The Labour Government will:  1. Give a high priority to the education content of childcare centres.  2. Considerably expand training facilities for childcare workers.  3. Give priority to assistance to groups seeking to establish childcare centres.  4. Encourage neighbourhood childcare services so as to maintain continuity of care in the child's environment.  5. Recognising the primary importance of parenthood and the child's relationship with his parents, encourage development of this factor in family relationship.  6. Revise the Child Care Regulations to ensure improved educational care.  TOURISM. LABOUR recognises the exciting growth of tourism and its importance as a major contributor to the social and economic wellbeing of our people and to the fostering of international goodwill. LABOUR encourages the orderly development of tourism and seeks continuing co-operation between Government and the private sector.  TOURIST PROMOTION. The Labour Government will:  (a) Pursue a policy of active tourism promotion abroad based on arias served by, existing New Zealand Travel Commissions and will expand representation and promotion where indicated by market research.  (b) Participate in joint promotions with other countries which have a community of interest and common tourist markets.  (c) Encourage New Zealanders to enjoy the recreational and tourist areas of our country with some emphasis on off-peak travel when added patronage will promote the viability of tourist services and year-round employment opportunities.  TOURIST FACILITIES. Labour will extend appropriate incentives to stimulate a suitable level of investment in accommodation and other facilities where the need is clearly established by qualified research.  EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING. Labour recognises the employment generating capacity of tourism and will encourage and expand training courses at all levels.  ENVIRONMENT. The Labour Government will:  (a) Promote co-ordination of planning among central and local government agencies and aim for some spread of tourist demand to minimise social and environmental impacts on local communities.  (b) Encourage appropriate and pleasing design standards and decor of tourist facilities and the supply of good quality souvenirs.  TRANSPORT SERVICES. The policy of the Labour Government is one of upgrading and developing all forms of transport services through the modernisation, re-equipping and expansion of road, rail and air services and the introduction of New Zealand owned shipping services.  POLICY DETAILS. The Labour Government's policies will be guided by the following principles:  - Transport is a major integral component of New Zealand society and its economy and should not be viewed in isolation.  - Even though it has various forms Transport remains a single entity and ought to be regarded as such despite the competitive nature of its component parts.  - Transport should be provided at the lowest possible total cost consistent with meeting the levels and types of service desired by transport users and the Government.  - The needs and wants of transport should be the primary considerations of what transport services are provided.  - Except where otherwise determined by Government the cost of a transport service should reflect the consumption of economic resources incurred in each particular instance.  - When Government determines as a matter of social, economic or environmental policy that a Transport Service is required then it should assist the transport operator as far as practicable for any unavoidable losses incurred as a result of performing that public service.  - The user of transport should in the ultimate be as free as possible from legislative and other influences which restrict the choice to use one transport method in preference to another provided this choice is based on economic costs, convenience and suitability.  The Government should remain responsible for the provision of certain common facilities such as roads, railways, airfields, navigational and safety aids, etc. Where it is considered necessary to maintain uneconomic services, in the public interest, subsidies should be available and should be clearly defined.  CIVIL AVIATION. Agriculture, forestry and tourism all call for increasing aviation support. This will be given with particular emphasis laid on the growing role aviation must play in the development of the transport industry generally.  a. Both NAC and Air New Zealand airlines will continue to be publicly owned. Their services will be extended where greater revenue, especially in overseas funds, can be earned and also where an extension is socially warranted. Their activities will be co-ordinated and brought closer together to avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities, but total amalgamation is not contemplated. In the pattern of future growth there is also room for supplementary services, the overall objective being to satisfy the needs of the community for the movement of passengers and cargo, and including the demands of a national emergency.  b. Flight safety is paramount and will be given constant attention, including the increasing danger of hijacking and sabotage.  c. Aircraft noise will continue to be studied with a view to lessening this real problem. It will be approached both on an engineering level and in relation to airport design.  d. Airport development will be related to national and international needs and also to regional development.  e. Private ownership of airfields serving tourist resorts in the South Island will be reviewed.  f. Technical assistance will continue to be provided to emerging countries in the South Pacific and, op request, to countries in South East Asia.  g. The growing light aircraft industry of New Zealand will continue to be encouraged, and in appropriate cases, assisted.  PASSENGER TRANSPORT. In the field of urban passenger transport encouragement will be given to such measures as priority schemes for buses, greater promotional efforts and the staggering of working hours in order to improve the efficiency of urban passenger transport and to reduce deficits.  In addition funds will continue to be made available annually to the Urban Public Passenger Transport Council to enable operators to carry out capital improvements. The amount made available to the Council will be reviewed regularly.  RAILWAYS. As the New Zealand Railways must form a main part of the nation's transport industry it is essential that the strengthening of the Railways Department continues in its revitalised role of meeting the major needs of the country's transport requirements.  (a) The programme of renewing old rolling stock and the better utilisation of resources will be continued.  (b) New passenger rolling stock for provincial and suburban services will be progressively brought into operation.  (c) Provincial passenger services will be judged on local interest and support, not on the profitability of such services.  (d) The half passenger fares introduced in 1973 for beneficiaries whose benefit carries a means test will, subject to minor restrictions, be extended to cover all persons 65 years of age and over.  (e) Family fares at a lesser rate than normal fares will be introduced over weekends on suburban rail services.  (f) The rail tourist pass introduced in 1973 and designed to stimulate off-season travel, 1 May-30 November, will continue to be promoted.  (g) The introduction this year on Railway Road Services of a series of short package tours known as “Thrifty Tours” will be further promoted.  ROADS  4. (a) The role of the National Roads Board will be maintained. Administration will remain with the Board and the District Roads Councils will be aligned to conform with the changing pat- tern of local and regional government.  (b) In view of the importance of roading to the economy there is a need to ensure that there is an adequately maintained roading system There is also a need to ensure continuity of financial programmes in the interests of economy, efficiency and stability.  (c) Labour believes that the basic income needed to carry out the National Roads Board programme should come from road-user taxation This should be used for maintaining existing roading system and extending it as necessary.  (d) The National Roads Board will be required to carry out a bi-annual review of roading needs consistent with government development policies and projected roading development options.  (e) Based on the review the Labour Government will establish a supplementary grant to the National Roads Board on a five year basis. The grant will be subject to a bi-annual review to ensure that it is being used to implement specific roading policies and proposals.  (f) It is proposed that the functions and responsibilities of the National Roads Board be reviewed in major urban areas, with the object of providing more effectively for the planning and implementation of co-ordinated urban transportation.  ROAD SAFETY  5. (a) The Standing Parliamentary Select Committee on Road Safety, established by the Labour Government will remain a key body responsible for the improvement of road safety.  (b) The Labour Government has encouraged the development of the Association of Road Safety Committees and will work to strengthen its influence and effectiveness at association and branch level.  (c) The identification and elimination of accident “Black Spots” will be intensified.  (d) The standards of vehicle equipment will be improved in the interests of greater road safety and environmental protection. These standards will be enforced.  (e) More thorough investigations of serious driving offenders will be carried out with a view to the Court ordering appropriate remedial treatment.  SHIPPING AND MARITIME  6. (a) The policy instituted by the Labour Government whereby New Zealand carries more of its exports in New Zealand owned vessels will be extended.  (b) Representatives of the Shipping Corporation of New Zealand will participate more fully in freight rate negotiations.  (c) A more comprehensive, economic and efficient shipping service to the Island Nations of the Pacific will be developed in co-operation with Island Governments.  (d) The Labour Government will continue to intensify ‘the development of the most efficient multi-model transport organisations which will ‘include coastal shipping.  (e) Following the introduction of the advanced and far reaching Marine Pollution Act of 1974 the Labour Government commenced a review of the adequacy of the Marine Pollution legislation in the light of changing conditions and circumstances. This work will continue.  WOMEN  The LABOUR GOVERNMENT is fully committed to answering the real needs and reasonable expectations of women as a major group within our community. Women must and will be enabled to contribute their skills and abilities towards the development of New Zealand.  POLICY  The Labour Government recognises that there is an acknowledged need to raise the status of women who are prevented from enjoying equal status in the community as people in their own right.  The Labour Government will endeavour to make equality of women and men an integral part of their d efforts, especially in the fields of education, health, employment, political, socio economic and cultural life and family life. Discrimination on the grounds of sex in law and practice will be abolished and we will ensure that legislation regarding the status of women con- forms to the principles laid down in earlier U.N. Declarations and documents; and inform women at all levels in the community of their rights and responsibilities.  While it is not economically possible to implement all the recommendations of the Women’s Rights report immediately, Government recognises some areas of priorities which should be given serious consideration for early implementation.  These are:  Setting up of a Women’s Rights Commission;  Establishing the highest standard of child care;  The expansion of child care training;  The provision for non-earners caring for dependents, in the New Zealand Superannuation and Accident Compensation Schemes.  A Women’s Rights Commission should be set up as a statutory body with the following overall function:  (1) To investigate and act on individual complaints of discrimination.  (2) To recommend appropriate anti-discriminatory legislation.  (3) To co-ordinate research relevant to women’s rights and the raising of status of women.  (4) To promote an effective information and education programme on women’s rights. Such a Commission would comprise people drawn from the fields of Education, Law, Employment, Health, Social Science, Economics and Publicity.  CHILDCARE  1. The responsibility for pre-school child care should be ultimately vested in the Department of Education as child care establishments must provide an educational as well as a nurturing role, and as a prelude to other forms of early education.  2. The Labour Government recognises child care of an acceptable standard as a necessary supportive service to parents in the community who may need such establishments on a temporary or regular basis.  3. A thorough investigation of all aspects of child care will be carried out by the Departments of Education and Social Welfare to determine the best basis for future child care policies.  4. The Labour Government will co-operate with local bodies, voluntary organisations and industrial and business concerns in providing a high standard of child care.  SUPERANNUATION AND ACCIDENT COMPENSATION .  1. For the first time in the history of New Zealand all working women are now included in a superannuation scheme, ensuring an independent fund in their own right on retirement.  2. The Labour Government also acknowledges the valuable role of the homemaker in the community, caring for families and disabled dependants and will make provision for them to be included in the New Zealand Superannuation Scheme by contributions from Government on their behalf.  3, The Labour Government will examine the Accident Compensation Act with the view to making the scheme more equitable for non earners caring for dependents and those who cannot earn their own living.  WOMEN IN EDUCATION  1. The Labour Government recognises Education ‘as one of the most important influencing factors in the development of all human beings, socially and economically, and that equal opportunity must exist throughout the educational system, both as student and teacher.  2. The Labour Government will work towards the elimination of sex stereotyping of children’s development both in literature and recreational activities in co-operation with parents’ wishes.  3. The Women's Rights Commission will examine areas of discrimination on the grounds of sex in conditions of work in the teaching profession and recommend to Government necessary changes.  4. The Labour Government will support new citizens, especially migrant women, with language and settling-in programmes.  WOMEN AND THE LAW. Government will continue to amend legislation which discriminates on the grounds of sex and will progressively work towards, eliminating discriminatory practices in law through the activities and recommendations of the Women's Rights Commission.  WOMEN AND HEALTH.  1. Government will continue to expand all necessary areas of Health Care, including physical and mental health. Labour policy of developing community health centres will also where appropriate include women's health clinics.  2. The Labour Government has set up a Royal Commission to examine evidence on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion, to enable all groups and individuals in Society to make submissions on these issues and make recommendations to Government on any necessary improvements required  WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT.  1. The Labour Government will continue to expand training and retraining facilities for women to ensure equal opportunities in preparation for careers or vocations.  2. The Women's Rights Commission will investigate women's employment opportunities and conditions of work and advise Government of appropriate forms of development needed to obtain equal education, training, remuneration and opportunities. It will advise Government, Trade Unions and Employers of desirable equitable conditions of work in industry and the professions and where necessary recommend appropriate legislation.  3. The Women's Right's Commission will also examine all aspects of unemployed women, redundancy agreements and related legislation.  YOUTH. A phrase that has, rightly, gone out of fashion is "the generation gap'. We in the Labour Party believe that there is no call for youth to give way to age or vice verse. While experience, or lack of it, is material in judging a person's capacity, age in itself should not be a factor. Labour has given an enormous boost to sport and recreation, which is of particular interest to young people, but it well knows their horizons are broader than this. It believes they are capable of undertaking more responsibility, and indeed that much of the juvenile misbehaviour which arouses public resentment is in large part due to their not being given enough responsibility and trust. Outcasts are often people who have been cast out. Labour currently has the youngest Member of Parliament and is the Party that extended voting rights to eighteen year olds as well as introducing legislation to adjust the licensing laws accordingly. In local government it has created Community Councils, which have brought new and younger faces not only to Council tables but out into the suburbs, to stimulate local participation in the administration of our cities. This has uncovered areas of real need which will be served by Community Centres and Neighbourhood Law Offices, both fostered by Labour. On a national plane, consideration for the future has not been overlooked. For the first time ever, every young adult starting work has the opportunity to contribute to subsidised superannuation. Encouragement has been given through positive saving incentives for the youth of today to be the homeowner or the farm owner of tomorrow. Labour believes that given these incentives and the responsibilities the young people will continue to respond to the challenge to build their future In education, too, Labour is the Party of innovation. New concepts such as Community Colleges and alternative schools have made their experimental appearance and, as promised the Labour Government instituted a Standard Tertiary Bursary Scheme. It has taken the lead, too, in promoting the Ohu concept, has done more for foreign aid and the undeveloped nations, and more to preserve the environment, than any other party in history. Employment opportunities have been increased in keeping with the demand for varied and challenging careers. Labour's regional development policies have helped overcome the lack of work opportunities, that were fast becoming part of the rural and provincial scene The new workers are now getting a job nearer home. The youth of today are being called upon in greater numbers to help solve today's problems. They are accepting this challenge add the responsibility that goes with it. Labour believes that they must also help fashion the policies of the future.