“JOBS WHICH REACH INTO EVERY TOWN AND COMMUNITY IN NEW ZEALAND.”  As New Zealanders prepare to vote in this election, they can fairly ask themselves one question: am I better off or worse off after six years of National Government?  The past six years have seen the worst economic downturn in forty ears. New Zealand has performed worse than any other developed Western economy. Unemployment has risen twelvefold... prices have more than doubled... this country has borrowed more than ever before... and personal income tax has rocketed, while big companies get periodic handouts.  New Zealand has enormous potential in its natural resources and its people. This potential should be developed - but developed for all New Zealanders, not just large companies and overseas investors.  The Labour Government will develop that potential by providing jobs for our young people: jobs which reach into every town and community in New Zealand.  The Labour Government will give those who are employed the incentive work harder and produce more - by cutting the crippling burdens imposed by a stupid and unfair tax system.  The Labour Government will curb the spiralling price rises which are pricing the New Zealand family out of existence.  Labour Government will bring New Zealanders together again - not divide friends, families and communities to gain short term political advantage.  Today, New Zealand's unique way of life is at risk. Labour is completely committed to a caring and decent society. Labour believes in excellence, but not in privilege. Labour will give people the incentive to get ahead, but provide safeguards for those who fall behind.  Our way of life cannot be sustained without a strong and vital economy, without full employment and the ability to control our own destinies. I hope all New Zealanders will consider their country's future, as well as the personal hardships of the last six years, when they cast what may be the most important vote in their lives.  “A CAREFULLY COSTED PLAN TO GET NEW ZEALAND WORKING”  If you want to get ahead by working harder, the Labour Government will give you a fair go.  You'll get a fair tax deal, for a start. A family, with two children, on the average wage, will save up to $25 a week in tax. With a Labour Government, New Zealanders will have the incentive to produce more, and get more in their pockets.  You will be better off – but so will the Government, and the country. The Labour Government will use that additional revenue to create jobs, control prices laid down by the Government, and improve social services.  Labour's development programme is not a handout. It is a carefully costed plan to get New Zealand working.  A vote for Labour is a vote to end six years of stagnation. It is a vote to develop New Zealand in the interests of all New Zealanders.  DISASTERS AND BLUNDERS, 1976-81.  Over the past six years the Muldoon Government has presided over New Zealand's worst economic recession for forty years.  But the past six years have seen more than just economic stagnation. This Government has set New Zealander against New Zealander.  Its tactics have been those of personal abuse, vilification, and distraction from the real issues. New Zealand, which was once internationally respected, has become a global leper.  National's 1975 campaign was marked by fine promises. "National supports a policy of full employment"  ... "National believes that continued double figure inflation will destroy the basis of the New Zealand economy and cause untold misery to all New Zealanders." (1975 Manifesto). No wonder National's 1981 promises have such a hollow ring.  A CHECKLIST OF NATIONAL DISASTERS  Did you know that since 1975  ... prices have more than doubled.  ... unemployment has risen more than twelve-fold.  ... interest rates on new mortgages have risen, on average, from 8 to 14 per cent.  … more than 155,000 New Zealanders have left the country.  ... personal income tax has risen to 88 per cent of the total tax take (company tax has fallen from 20 to 11 per cent).  ... overseas borrowing has risen to undreamed of levels. (Total official overseas borrowing stands at more than $4,500m... $1,500 for every man, woman and child in New Zealand.).  ... jobs have disappeared. In the year to 1981, 12,000 full-time jobs were lost to the New Zealand economy.  ... the New Zealand dollar's value has crumbled. From $US1.04, it has fallen to 83 cents. It has dropped 40 per cent against the Japanese yen (No wonder cars are so much more expensive!).  A CATALOGUE OF NATIONAL BLUNDERS  REMEMBER  ... the Government deported a West German schoolgirl after her boyfriend came to visit her.  ... the Chief Justice ruled Prime Minister Muldoon had violated the Bill of Rights by telling employers to break the law.  ... an Air New Zealand Friendship crashed in Auckland Harbour and the Minister wondered if the rescue craft had oars.  ... 26 African countries boycotted the Montreal Olympics in protest against New Zealand's sporting contacts with South Africa.  ... the La Varis affair....... or the Marginal Lands Board scandal... or the Birch affair.  ... Securitibank collapsed, costing investors (including the Government Life Office) many millions of dollars.  ... Keith Holyoake was appointed Governor-General ... Frank Gill Ambassador to Washington.  ... phone-tapping was legalised... random searches allowed.  ... NAC and Air New Zealand were merged... the Lyttelton Ferry was stopped ... provincial rail and air services were curtailed ... milk prices jumped from 4c to 10c. ..or 20c. . .or 25c...  We have suffered six years of the most unplanned, unprincipled and unsuccessful government in New Zealand's history.  Labour, and only Labour, has a carefully costed economic and social plan to get New Zealand working ... . to bring New Zealanders together again.  There are four key components to Labour's plan... four key planks to Labour's election policy. Labour has positive, practical answers to the central problems of unemployment, cost of living, taxation, and regional development.  LABOUR'S GOT A BETTER FUTURE PLANNED FOR OUR KIDS.  Unemployment is New Zealand's biggest disaster area. There are more New Zealanders out of work than at any time since the great slump of the 1930s. Three out of four are under 30; half are under 21.  School leavers who are unemployed are not no-hopers. Just unlucky. That bad luck means the loss of pride and self-respect. Often it leads to frustration… and to crime and violence.  Since 1975 unemployment has risen from 4,000 to 70,000. The present Government is indifferent to the jobless. Each year it unthinkingly pays out $130 million in dead-end subsidies to the registered unemployed.  Labour has positive, practical policies to restore full employment.  • Labour will guarantee jobs or training to ALL young people for five years after they leave school.  • Labour will abolish the dole. Anyone who is out of a job will get training, assistance with job-hunting or useful work.  • Labour will provide a job search allowance for 3 months and positive, practical counselling for ALL unemployed.  • Labour's YES (Youth Employment Skills) programme will help young people build a solid base for their careers.  • Labour's Challenge work scheme will provide local jobs developing young people's skills.  • Labour's job subsidy programme will help businessmen provide more jobs.  • Labour will establish a “job bank" to match people with jobs.  • Labour will boost work experience programmes in secondary schools.  LABOUR WON’T LET THE FAMILY LIE PRICED OUT OF EXISTENCE.  Inflation is tearing New Zealand families apart.  The family is the basis of our society. But soaring prices have been steadily destroying our families over the past five years.  The present Government was elected on the promise of reduced inflation. Instead consumer prices have more than doubled. What cost you $100 at the end 1975 cost $213.12 in June 1981.  Worst of all, poorer families, and families with growing children have been hit hardest by a government which couldn’t care less about the living standards of ordinary wage earners.  Milk has risen 525%; bread 235%; butter 172%; bulk electric power 335% to date; 387% to 1-4-82; postage 400%.  Unless tough action is taken in the coming year against the inflationary spiral, the New Zealand dollar will be worth only 25c Australian by the end of this decade... the foundation of ANY growth strategy will be destroyed.  The next Labour Government will curb price rises with positive, practical policies.  • Labour will restore subsidies on basic foods. Bread and milk shouldn't be priced out of ANYONE'S  reach.  • Labour will control costs laid down by government. Electricity and postage WILL be affordable again.  • Labour will ensure GENUINE competition - the best price regulator in the economy. The Labour Government will introduce tough anti-monopoly and pro-competition policies.  • Labour will set Government charges on a “break even" basis, rather than attempting to  profiteer from the hardships inflicted on families and individuals forced to pay more for  essential services.  • Labour will moderate the growth in the money supply, and a Labour Government will set a  target for increases in money supply based on forecast economic growth levels.  • Labour will roll back interest rates, and introduce special low interest rates for priority sectors of the economy.  • Labour will consider suspending the current floating exchange rate to stop the sinking New Zealand dollar fuelling inflation.  LABOUR BELIEVES THE PRESENT TAX SYSTEM IS STUPID AND UNFAIR.  The New Zealand tax system is a rip-off. It's unfair to the average wage earner... it's ridded with tax dodges for the rich ... it actually adds to inflation and unemployment.  The present Government promised to reduce taxation. Instead, over the last five years, they’ve doubled their tax take per head. As inflation has pushed ordinary wage and salary earners into higher tax brackets, the Government has grabbed MORE from individuals, taken LESS from big companies and multi-national corporations.  The Government says you're not overtaxed. Labour disagrees. We say you're being ripped off. Labour has positive, practical tax policies to help individuals.  In its 1982 budget, Labour will move to:  • make the first $60 per week of income tax-free for each individual taxpayer.  • make the first $72 per week of income tax-free for single-income couples with no dependent children.  • make the first $130 per week of income tax-free for each family with one dependent child.  • make the next $10 per week income tax-free for each extra dependent child.  • Labour will also cut taxes on overtime.  • Labour will provide FURTHER tax relief for shift workers.  • Labour will lower the tax burden on all small to medium sized businesses.  • Labour will attack unemployment by giving tax breaks to companies which take on more permanent staff.  • Labour will review ALL sales tax and abolish sales tax on records.  TAX: WHAT LABOUR’S TAX POLICY WILL MEAN TO YOU.  5  Virtually every family in New Zealand will benefit from Labour's tax reforms. The wide range of examples below will allow you to estimate your own tax savings.  A single person earning $180 per week will save $5 a week -over 12 per cent of their present tax bill.  A single person, earning $300 a week, will save $7 - or 8 per cent of their current weekly tax bill.  A married couple with two children under 5, and one partner earning $275 a week will save $18 - 26 per cent of their weekly tax bill.  A married couple, with both partners in paid employment, and earning $350 and $275 a week, will save $14 a week - or 8 per cent of their combined weekly tax bill.  A married couple, with three children - he drawing a salary of $375 a week and she earning $60 a week part- time - will save $28 a week - or 20 per cent of their current income tax bill.  A married couple with no dependent children and a single income of $400 a week will save $9 - 6 per cent of their income tax bill.  A couple drawing superannuation at current rates will save $13 - 56 per cent of their weekly tax bill. A single superannuitant will save $5 - or 34 per cent - a week, at current rates.  A widow with one teenage son, earning $225 a week will save $19 - or 36 per cent - of her weekly tax bill.  LABOUR WILL BRING  THE REGIONS BACK TO LIFE.  The next Labour Government will put jobs back where people live.  That's what happened between 1972-5. The last Labour Government promoted regional development. It created thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new factories. That meant lower unemployment, higher productivity and balanced growth.  Over 70,000 New Zealanders have been put out of work by this Government. Each factory closure means more unemployed.. and a slow death to the region where thousands worked.  Labour will restore regional confidence with positive, practical policies.  • Labour will develop new industry in the regions.  • Labour will buy land suitable for subdivision and settle young farmers in both agriculture and horticulture.  • Labour will strengthen Regional Development Councils and ensure that there is investment in JOBS not just factories and machinery.  • Labour will introduce Regional Development Bonds to help small businesses.  • Labour will use a 50% cut in freight charges to fill empty rail wagons from the South Island.  • Labour will provide a 150% tax rebate on transport costs for approved exporters.  • Labour will help small-scale craft industries in country towns.  • Labour will make the WHOLE South Island and additional North Island areas eligible for Regional Development assistance.  The present Government has destroyed communities by closing down rural schools and small town hospitals. Families have been torn apart as young people are forced to seek work in big cities.  Labour will re-build the regions. We'll bring communities - and families - back together by helping the regional economies back to life.  7  THE SUCCESSFUL BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT DECADE MUST SOLVE TODAY'S PROBLEMS FIRST.  Throughout 1980-1 Labour has stressed four crucial goals - finding jobs, reducing inflation, reforming our tax system, and developing New Zealand's regions.  The present Government may try to divert attention from the critical issues of unemployment, cost of living, taxation and regional development but these are the issues which will affect all New Zealanders through the 1980s and beyond. These must be the major planks in any restructuring of the New Zealand economy.  These key problem areas cannot be successfully solved in isolation, or outside the framework of an economic plan that systematically searches for answers to them.  This is the fundamental difference between National's and Labour's approach.  During the last six years, National has done little more than pay lip service to these critical problem areas and the most disturbing, and ultimately most disastrous, aspect of "Think Big" is that it virtually ignores the key issues facing the New Zealand economy today.  "Think Big" almost completely ignores the necessity to find jobs for young people now... to slow the rise in the cost of living now ... to provide tax relief now... to save our regions now, before they wither and die.  No responsible, workable economic plan for New Zealand during the 1980s can ignore the immediate and pressing need to stimulate more job opportunities, hold price increases, give people the incentive to work harder, and give the regions faith in their healthy survival.  The comparisons between Labour's "Growth for Jobs" and National's "Think Big" are stark and significant. Labour believes that it is only by getting New Zealand to work again that the current era of economic stagnation will end. Then economic growth will begin again with the beneficial flow-on effect of providing further jobs, controlling the cost of living, paying for tax relief and stimulating regional development.  The simple fact is that a few massive, risky, capital intensive, overseas dominated schemes are quite incapable of providing the genuine and sustainable economic growth that New Zealand desperately needs now.  HOW LABOUR WILL TAKE THE GAMBLE OUT OF OUR FUTURE.  LABOUR'S 'GROWTH FOR JOBS' V. NATIONAL'S 'THINK BIG’.  Labour will take the gamble out of your family's future by finding the 32,000 jobs that New Zealand needs annually for the next five years. By contrast, National's 'Think Big' will prove to be even more disastrous than the 1975 'New Zealand the way you want it' slogan. 'Think Big' may provide some additional export income (at an absurdly high cost) but it will not provide enough jobs even to hold unemployment at its present level. (During the last five years unemployment has risen dramatically despite big increases in export income.)  New Zealand has a limited amount of investment available. We can only spend it once. We have to make a choice.  The choice facing New Zealanders has never been clearer. Labour has a carefully balanced 'Growth for Jobs' plan; National's 'Think Big' is clear evidence that the present Government puts its friends before New Zealand families... that National is actually planning for a growth in unemployment.  NATIONAL'S GAMBLE  FEWER JOBS  National's entire 'Think Big' scheme will provide only 4,000 jobs by 1986. And that will add another 100,000 New Zealanders to dole queues.  GOBBLING CAPITAL  'Think Big' risks every possible extra investment dollar in a narrow range of large-scale industrial gambles. There will be nothing left for agriculture, other manufacturing, housing, transport, fishing...  GOVERNMENT SPENDING  National's 'Think Big' programme involves millions of dollars of Government spending. On top of this there will be dole payouts to another 100,000 unemployed. In other words tax increases for ordinary wage earners - and further cuts in Government services.  A FEW GIANT COMPLEXES  'Think Big' means a few massive industrial complexes where the owners want them ... even if nobody else does.  TAKING MASSIVE RISKS  'Think Big' will pour massive investment into single use complexes, gambling billions on products that may shortly be superseded or in over-supply.  WASTING ASSETS  'Think Big' will sell our precious non-renewable resources like electricity to giant companies at a fraction of their value. In return we will pay more for our power and become more dependent on imported oil.  SELLING OUT  'Think Big' is selling New Zealand's future to multi-national companies. It means, quite simply, that foreign interests will increasingly control our economy.  LABOUR'S PLAN  MORE JOBS  Labour's plans for agriculture alone will produce 25,000 jobs by 1986. Balanced development of timber, tourism, fishing, small business and other sectors will create another 135,000 jobs throughout the country.  USING RESOURCES  Labour's resource-based plan will spread investment through the economy . . develop existing 'natural and people' resources ... use proven skills to boost existing demand.  GOVERNMENT SAVINGS  Labour's balanced programme increases production, wages and incomes, quickly providing more Government revenue. The savings made from scrapping 'Think Big' projects will provide funds for tax reform - and for extra spending on health, education and welfare.  GROWTH IN THE REGIONS  Labour will encourage enterprising, hard-working New Zealanders to boost productivity and export earnings from the resources in the areas where they and their families live.  USING PROVEN SKILLS  Labour plans to build on our skills, experience and our world-wide reputation for proven agricultural products, fish, timber... our manufacturing ingenuity and flexibility to adapt to market shifts.  ADDING VALUE  Labour will provide more jobs and increase overseas earnings by 'further processing' the wool, meat, timber, and fish we grow and harvest so successfully.  TAPPING LOCAL ENTERPRISE  Labour's plan is about helping New Zealanders stimulate economic growth by extracting more production from existing resources and expanding our farming and manufacturing horizons.  [  FROM MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, TO JOBS FOR EVERYONE.  THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM: At present there are about 70,000 New Zealanders officially out of work or in special work schemes. Over the next five years an additional 160,000 jobs will be needed as young New Zealanders join the workforce ... and only Labour has the positive, practical plans to find those lobs.  TIMBER  Labour will encourage the development of our timber resources, providing 9,600 jobs in the North Island and 2,400 in the South Island... a national total of 12,000 new jobs over the next five years.  HOUSING  Labour's assistance to both the building industry and new home owners will provide 17,000 jobs nationally... 12,700 in the North Island and 4,300 in the South Island.  RAILWAYS  Labour is committed to the gradual electrification of the New Zealand railways system which will provide 300 North Island jobs and 200 in the South Island... a national total of 500 new jobs during the next five years.  MANUFACTURING  Labour's package of local industry encouragement measures will provide 15,600 new jobs in the North Island and 4,400 more in the South Island... a national total of 20,000 new jobs over the next five years.  FISHING  Labour sees fishing as a priority growth industry and assistance will create 4,500 jobs during the next five years ... 2,500 in the North Island and 2,000 in the South Island.  AGRICULTURE/FOOD PROCESSING  Labour will provide the stimulus to generate 25,000 new jobs during the next five ....... 15,000 jobs in the North Island and 10,000 in the South Island.  HEAVY INDUSTRY/ENERGY PROJECTS  Labour recognises the importance of heavy industrial and energy developments as part of a balanced growth plan and such schemes would provide 5,000 new jobs nationally over the next five years ... 3,000 in the North Island and 2,000 in the South Island.  TOURISM  Labour's assistance to the tourist industry and encouragement to New Zealanders to holiday within the country will provide 7,000 new jobs nationally over the next five years ... 4,200 in the North Island and 2,800 in the South Island.  SMALL BUSINESS  Labour recognises the energy and enterprise of small, local businesses and assistance to help them develop national and international markets will provide 24,000 North Island and 8,000 South Island jobs ... a total of 32,000 new jobs nationally over the next five years.  The rest of the jobs New Zealand needs will come from expansion of the service sector.  LABOUR WILL SUPPORT POSITIVE, PRACTICAL SCHEMES TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT AND BOOST EXPORT EARNINGS.  Labour's development plan goes to the heart of our problems. Labour will find useful, productive jobs for out-of-work New Zealanders in their home areas... Labour will build on our existing skills and resources... Labour will keep our country in our hands... Labour will build up our export trade on a wide front.  Labour will promote a number of schemes to speed up this process. These schemes will combine private enterprise skills with Labour's determination to see New Zealand's economic and social stagnation end.  CARPETS FOR THE UNITED STATES  The export of carpet to the United States is one example of the immense opportunities waiting to be developed from our existing resources. Today, about 50 per cent of the world's woollen carpets are made from New Zealand wool... yet we export up to 90 per cent of our wool clip unprocessed and carpet manufacturers in other countries earn vastly more from our wool than we do.  Labour plans, with private companies and the Government working together, to create hundreds of new jobs and earn millions in foreign exchange by turning our existing carpet exporting successes into a toehold in the immense United States carpet market. Labour believes that we can manufacture carpets in New Zealand - in existing factories at first -and sell them very profitably through New Zealand-owned retail outlets in the United States.  There is certainly no doubt that Labour's aim to capture 3 per cent of the United States carpet market has the potential to dramatically increase New Zealand's income from the current wool clip, and to increase New Zealand's foreign exchange earnings at a fraction of the risk and capital investment of National's “Think Big" gamble.  The whole process from test marketing in one area to selling throughout the United States would be a gradual, step-by-step one with new carpet factories built in response to demand and not before.  When Labour's carpet plan achieves its full potential, the New Zealand carpet industry will, over the next decade: employ an extra five thousand people directly and a further ten to fifteen thousand indirectly; stand on its own feet without Government subsidies; earn an extra $250-$350 million a year in overseas funds; save New Zealand taxpayers $50 million a year in unemployment benefits; increase Government revenue by $60 million through direct personal taxation.  IRRIGATION TO BOOST EXPORTS  Labour believes that irrigation schemes that have been side-tracked to make way for "Think Big" would provide better results and much less risk. New Zealand can profitably sell all the primary products we produce. It should be our first priority to increase the productivity of our land. In many areas irrigation schemes can dramatically increase the value of what is produced via higher indirect carrying capacities or new, higher earning types of farming.  As examples, two stalled irrigation schemes in Canterbury - the Balmoral and Lower Rakaia schemes - would produce new jobs, greatly increase carrying capacities, and pay for themselves in additional export returns in only four years.  FARMING THE SEA  Labour believes that aquaculture (the growing of seafood under controlled conditions) is an exciting new growth area the present Government has paid too little attention to.  Today, about 10 percent of the world's seafood is produced by aquaculture and the percentage will grow as the cost of building and fuelling fishing vessels becomes more prohibitive. New Zealand has the ideal coastline and climate for an explosive growth of oyster and mussel farming - with appropriate Government support and assistance.  Among the advantages of oyster farming are its labour intensive nature, low energy costs, guarantee of supply, low establishment costs, overseas fund earning potential, nil feeding costs. There are similar advantages with mussel farming, although it is more capital intensive. As oyster farming is particularly suited to mudflats there is no clash of interests; the deep water necessary for mussel farming is in much greater demand for recreational use.  Labour is committed to solving the problems and providing the encouragement that will ensure the rapid growth of aquaculture in New Zealand.  SELLING OUR UNIQUE LANDSCAPE  Tourism is one of the world's growth industries. The number of tourists coming to New Zealand could quadruple by the end of the century - if we have made the necessary investments in accomodation, travel and shopping facilities and stood firm against the many direct and attacks on our unique landscape.  The number of Japanese tourists visiting New Zealand could increase spectacularly. As their standard of living rises steadily and Japan becomes more highly industrialised, New Zealand will become an increasingly attractive destination for Japanese tourists.  With the far-sighted encouragement that Labour is offering, tourism will provide thousands of new jobs, earn many millions in foreign exchange and develop facilities and services that will also benefit New Zealanders. Labour is certain that, as the Northern Hemisphere becomes more polluted and industrialised, New Zealand's landscape will prove to be more precious than the non-renewable resources beneath its surface.  THE COST OF GETTING NEW ZEALAND TO WORK AGAIN.  Over the past six years, the interests of most New Zealanders have taken a back seat. The National Government has tightened belts all right... but not the belts of its own cabinet ministers, or their friends and cronies.  Although price rises and record unemployment have hurt families, some sectors of the economy have flourished. Tax evasion has become a growth industry... the Government's export incentive scheme is being exploited.. ."Think Big" means special deals like subsidised electricity for multi-national corporations (while the poor old consumer will pay 250 per cent more!)  Labour will reverse National's priorities.  The Labour Government has as its top priority economic policies designed to put growth back into the economy. Tax reform, employment, agriculture, housing, small business and regional development policies... these measures will be introduced as quickly as possible by the incoming Labour Government (most of them during the first year).  Some measures, like Labour's tax, policy, will be self-financing. Labour’s employment programme will cost $140 million ... but then this year alone National is spending an extra $130 million on unemployment - most of it on the dole.  The total net cost - the extra funds the Labour Government will need - will be about $400 million. Most of that money will not fall due until 1983-4.  Some of that money will come from cracking down on the tax dodger... closing some of the loopholes which are being so successfully exploited by large companies and "Queen Street Farmers".  The Labour Government will also knock "Think Big" into controllable shape, saving some of the $6,500 million the National Government presently estimates its policies will cost.  Finally, Labour will put a small surcharge onto foreign exchange... to discourage people from sending so much money out of New Zealand. We simply cannot afford to lose too much of our hard earned foreign currency.  Many of Labour's policies will not cost the Government any more. Much of the educational, health and social policy can be implemented by re-allocating resources. Other policies, like Open Government and an insistence on Ministerial Ethics, won't cost anything... but will revolutionise the way Government works.  Labour's policies will restore growth to the economy. Under the last Labour Government, the economy grew by about 4 per cent a year. (Under National, growth has averaged less than .5 per cent a year.)  A growth rate of 4 per cent would generate an extra $440 million a year for the Government alone... more than enough to pay for Labour's growth-producing policies!  Labour's growth policies will provide the revenue needed to do everything else. Growth under Labour will produce extra resources for the Government of well over $2,000 million in five years. And that is much more than Labour's total programme will cost to implement.  The introduction of major new social welfare advances will have to await real economic growth. But Labour's determination to get the jobless back to work will speed up the process. Citizens who are now on the dole will be producing - and paying tax.  The Labour Government will not be pushing pet projects or running a lolly scramble. Labour's economic programme is practical and realistic - and it will promote the interests of all New Zealanders.  Labour's policies are not going to be cheap ... but they are cheaper than "Think Big" and a lot less risky!  POSITIVE, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO OUR PROBLEMS.  Labour's values have always set it apart from other political parties. Its policies have been based on concern for ordinary New Zealanders and their families.  The next Labour Government's carefully-costed economic and social plan will benefit all New Zealanders... not just the Government's friends and cronies. Some policies will cost money (see page 11); other policies won't cost a thing, except recognition that the Government - and its members - should hold to ethical principles which the National Party seems to have forgotten.  OPEN GOVERNMENT  No-one who reads the newspapers can be surprised that, over the past six years, confidence in Parliament has dropped to an all-time low. The Government operates beneath a shroud of secrecy. The Labour Government will work for all New Zealanders... which means New Zealanders will have the right to know what their government is doing.  • Labour will reform Parliament to cut down the power of cabinet, and increase public participation.  • Labour will rewrite laws in a way which makes them intelligible to ordinary people. Laws will be given expiry dates so they do not stay on the books once they are out of date.  • Labour will slash red tape by curbing the use of statutory regulations. Labour will abolish many of the boards, commissions and authorities which make these regulations.  • Labour will repeal repressive legislation like the National Development Act, and the SIS Amendment Act which allows politicians to order bugging and telephone tapping.  HOUSING  In the first six months of 1981 the cost of housing rose faster than ever before. Mortgages are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and interest rates have reached record levels.  • The Labour Government will control the high multiple mortgage situation by establishing the principle of 80 per cent loans, with income related repayments not exceeding a fifth of a homeseeker's income. A day's pay should cover a week's mortgage repayment.  • Labour's "sweat equity" loans will allow homeseekers' commitments to restore old houses to count as part of their deposit on a property.  • Labour will give the Housing Corporation sufficient funds to restore its historic role of promoting home owner-ship throughout the community.  HEALTH  Labour believes in the guiding principle of "Help where and when you need it". Services should be designed to meet needs, should be equitably distributed and equally accessible to all New Zealanders.  • Labour will give priority to all aspects of community health and preventive care, and to the role of general practitioners.  • Community health care for the elderly, disabled and mentally ill will be upgraded.  • Labour will increase health education programmes and preventive health measures.  • Labour will provide for greater local control over the administration of health services, and will ensure proper funding and adequate manpower.  LAW AND ORDER  Since 1975 there has been nearly a 50 per cent increase in reported crime in New Zealand. Far from maintaining law and order, the National Government has presided over an upsurge in lawlessness... and violent crime in particular. It is all very well to talk of the "rule of law", but what little support National has given the police has always been too little and too late.  • Labour will upgrade the police force by providing more manpower, transport and communications equipment. The certainty of detection is the greatest deterrent to any crime.  • Labour will expand the community constable system. The Labour Government will aim to open one new community police office a month during its first three years term.  • Labour will attack the root causes of crime. Widespread youth unemployment and economic pressure remain principal causes of criminal behaviour.  SOCIAL SERVICES  The Labour Government will use welfare benefits not only as a safety net, but also as a springboard to enable citizens who have had a raw deal - or just bad luck - to use their talents to the full.  • Labour will emphasise preventive services on a community level.  • Labour will implement the access provisions of the Disabled Person's Community Welfare Act.  • Labour will ease the abatement of benefits by income to encourage welfare beneficiaries to become at least partially self-supporting.  • Labour will not interfere with superannuation benefits and will repeal the "13 week rule" which takes away the benefit from those who spend more than 13 weeks overseas.  INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS  Industrial relations in New Zealand, under a National Government, is characterised by conflict and deep divisions between employers, unions and the Government. Labour recognises the need to heal these divisions and to build an environment that provides for effective consultation, co-operation and arbitration.  • Labour will update and improve industrial legislation.  • Labour will provide a modern and effective mediation and arbitration system.  • Labour will introduce redundancy legislation, to ensure the protection of workers' individual employment rights.  • Labour will monitor new technology so that its benefits are shared equitably.  AGRICULTURE  Labour is committed to two tasks: increasing agricultural production (and its "further processing"), and putting the profit back into farming. The Labour Government will settle genuine farmers onto the  land ... and stop the speculation in farmland which has pushed prices up beyond the reach of prospective farmers.  • Labour will ensure an extra $2,000 million investment in agriculture over the next ten years. That will mean 25,000 new on-farm jobs and at least 25,000 new jobs in further processing.  •Labour will resume an aggressive search for overseas markets, but will process raw primary produce within New Zealand.  • Labour will make more land available as horticultural units through the farm ballot scheme. Improved assistance for irrigation and rural water supply schemes will help boost farm production and thus increase our export earnings.  EDUCATION  THE LABOUR PARTY believes in supporting excellence, but not privilege. Over the past six years money has been spent far less effectively and not where it is most needed. Labour will give free and equal education to everyone.  • Labour will give pre-school children the best possible start by providing more support to parents and all early childhood education workers.  • Labour will abolish School Certificate as an external examination as soon as possible and ensure that education builds confidence in all pupils.  • Labour will guarantee basic skills programmes for school leavers.  • Labour will immediately raise the tertiary bursary and introduce a fairer and simpler system, indexed to inflation.  ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT  The electorate hardly needs to be reminded of the financial scandals which have characterised the past few years. “Government by crony" has become a way of life under National.  • Labour will legislate to require all MPs to declare their financial interests.  • Cabinet ministers will be required to divest themselves of any assets which create a conflict of interest with their governmental responsibilities.  INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS  Labour will restore New Zealand's once proud international reputation. The Muldoon years have seen this country brought into odium and contempt throughout much of the world.  • Labour will support the Commonwealth and improve relations with Third World countries (many of them potential export markets).  • Labour will restore the leadership position New Zealand held amongst Pacific Island states.  • Labour will send the South African Consul General packing ... to show other countries that our opposition to apartheid is not just a hypocritical platitude.  • Labour will not allow nuclear powered or nuclear weapon-carrying craft into New Zealand waters - and will promote a nuclear-free Pacific.  SMALL BUSINESS  Labour believes that New Zealanders should be given every chance to run their own businesses. It is the small and medium size companies which will grow most dramatically with the right kind of government assistance... and it is the same companies which will provide most of the jobs this country needs.  • Labour's two-tier company tax system will aid the growth and profitability of smaller enterprises. This will enable companies to expand, using their own resources.  • With Labour, a revitalised Development Finance Corporation will give priority to smaller enterprises.  • Concessional loans will be available to small companies, and the Labour Government will negotiate with trading banks to ensure that smaller businesses get a fair share of loan and overdraft facilities.  • With Labour, Government contracts and purchasing will be designed to provide small business stimulation.