CONTENTS  Agriculture 2  Arts 5  Broadcasting 6  Commerce 7  Defence 8  Economic 9  Education 10  Energy 12  Environment 15  Fishing 17  Foreign Affairs 19  Forestry 21  Health 22  Housing 25  Immigration 27  Industrial Relations 27  Internal Affairs 30  Justice 31  Law and Order 33  Local Government 35  Manufacturing 36  Maori Affairs 38  National Development 40  Overseas Trade 41  Post Office 42  Recreation and Sport 43  Regional Development 44  Science and Technology 47  Social Welfare 48  South Pacific Affairs 50  State Services 52  Tourism 52  Transport 540  Women 56  Works and Development 58  AGRICULTURE  Objectives  National's continuing agricultural policy is built around four vital and inter-related objectives:  * To further develop the mood of confidence among farmers, farm workers, and those who service the rural community, as to the future of their industry;  * To encourage farmers to exploit the untapped potential for increased production, both in traditional products and also in the newer and more innovative forms of production;  * To stimulate agriculture and horticulture as a major element in the drive to increase export earnings;  * To stimulate agriculture and horticulture as a major element in the pursuit of employment opportunities and economic and social development in the regions.  Co-Ordination Within Industry  To provide for closer consultation and a greater degree of co-ordination within the industry, National has set up several advisory committees. The most important of these is the Agriculture Review Committee which has been established to provide for a constant monitoring of the state of the industry.  National will expand the role of the Agriculture Review Committee to provide for a constant monitoring of the state of all aspects of agriculture and horticulture.  Other important advisory committees established include the Meat Hygienne Advisory Committee - set up to monitor the implementation of meat hygiene regulations, the Horticultural Export Development Committee - set up to advise on growth prospects for horticultural exports, and the Noxious Plants Council - to advise on the administration of the Noxious Plants Control Scheme.  Farm Incomes  To provide greater stability in farm incomes, National has this year introduced supplementary minimum prices for meat, wool and dairy products to complement the price stabilisation schemes introduced in 1976.  National, in co-operation with the Producer Boards, will seek improvements to the guaranteed minimum price scheme, this scheme to be operated with the price stabilisation schemes.  National will continue to support the industry at a level that will ensure continuing financial viability. Financial assistance will continue to be provided through a combination of-  o Direct price support  * On-farm cost support  * Off-farm cost support  National has introduced production incentives to encourage farmers to increase livestock numbers and to develop under-developed farm land. Farmers have responded in positive fashion to the Livestock Incentive Scheme, the Dairy Beef Market Guarantee Scheme, and the Land Development Encouragement Loans Scheme. National will extend the date for entry into the Livestock Incentive Scheme to March 31, 1982.  National will pay interest on money held in the Individual Farmers Wool Income Retention Accounts at the same  rate as that payable on the Income Equalisation  Accounts.  Finance  National believes that the State has an important role to play in providing loan finance, at concessional rates of interest, through the Rural Bank, for the settlement of young farmers and for land development. However, we do not believe the Rural Bank should become the sole source of finance for these purposes.  National will:  * Continue to encourage and facilitate the trading banks and the stock and station agencies in the provision of seasonal and short and medium-term finance for farming.  * Continue to .provide adequate finance to the Rural Bank to enable it to carry out its functions as a provider of finance for land settlement and development (including irrigation).  * Through the Rural Bank, give greater emphasis to lending on stepping-stone units, units with horticultural-," potential, and Maori land, including Maori lease land 1, and for share milking and share farming.  * Provide the Rural Bank with a greater degree of independence by separating the Bank from the Housing Corporation.  * Continue to provide finance to freezing and dairy companies and co-operatives to enable them to upgrade plant and machinery and to meet the hygiene requirements of the countries to which we export.  * Continue to provide finance to producer organisations to assist with the establishment of processing and packing facilities.  * Make finance available to companies and co-operatives for the provision of cool store facilities specifically for the storage of ewe mutton, to ensure that old ewes are not being unnecessarily retained on farms because of insufficient cool store space.  Taxation, Gift and Estate Duties  National, having substantially reduced tax rates for young and~single income familes, having substantially restructured the tax scales, and having provided reductions in the incidence of estate and gift duty, remains committed to further reductions in tax rates, and gift and estate duties. National will: * Further reform the tax scales; * Further reduce the tax rate in the middle-income range; * Provide for further relief from estate and gift duty.  Lands  National believes in the private ownership of land within a property owning democracy. National's land policies are aimed at giving all New Zealanders the opportunity to own property, whether this be a home or a farm. National believes that the ownership of land should remain in New Zealand hands. National will, therefore, strictly limit the purchase of land by foreign interests. National will continue to review legislation which undermines property rights in a way that is detrimental to best land use, or does not enhance the opportunity of New Zealand citizens to own their own land. The reconstituted Land Use Advisory Council is at present formulating a comprehensive national land use policy for consideration by a National Land Use Conference to be held in 1979. This conference will recommend guidelines for a national land use policy.  Land Settlement  National's land settlement policies are designed to ensure that the maximum beneficial use is made of New Zealand's agricultural land.  Rural Bank Settlement  In the last two years, 2,187 young farmers have been assisted by the Rural Bank to purchase their first farm. Of these, 1,997 have been assisted by way of the standard settlement loan and 190 by the special settlement (85%) loan introduced by the National Government in 1976. National will continue to pursue an active land settlement policy through the Rural Bank with the aim of financing at least 1,100 young farmers into first farms each year. The Rural Bank will also be encouraged to give greater emphasis to:  - Lending on stepping stone units.  - Settlement of horticultural units.  - Settlement and development of leasehold units.  - Lending for share milking and share farming ventures. A more flexible approach will be adopted regarding second eligibility for Rural Bank finance - particularly in cases where a young farmer has been assisted initially into a stepping-stone unit.  Crown Land Settlement  own lands suitable for settlement will be developed as rapidly as resources permit with the object of ensuring a steady rate of settlement. The aim will be to settle about 50 units per year. Privately owned land offered for sale and suitable for resettlement will be purchased where resettlement can be effected quickly, especially where this is desirable in the interests of regional development. Where practicable, this land will be released to settlers at an earlier stage of development with provision for necessary development finance. Where practicable, land will be developed and offered for other than traditional pastoral farming purposes, as for example horticulture. The present system of ballot will be continued, as will the existing qualification requirements for entry into the ballot.  Department of Maori Affairs Settlement  National has continued to provide finance through the Department of Maori Affairs to enable Maori farmers to purchase farms on the open market. This policy will be continued with the aim of financing about 25 Maori farmers into their own farms each year.  Privately Financed Land Settlement  Each year, in addition to the Government sponsored land settlement programmes, a significant number of young farmers achieve farm ownership by way of privately obtained finance. To encourage retiring farmers to leave money in the industry National has introduced a Farm Vendor Mortgage Scheme which provides the retiring farmer with a taxation concession on the interest received so long as the money is lent at not higher than Rural Bank interest rates. National will take further steps to attract private finance into the farming industry and in particular will expand the scope of the Farm Vendor Mortgage Scheme. A more flexible approach will be developed regarding eligibility to participate in the scheme, with attention being given to: - The vendor's eligibility; -The purchaser's equity; -The financial limits.  - Second eligibility; -The subdivision of units to settle more than one young farmer.  Farm Ownership Savings Scheme  The Farm Ownership Savings Scheme and in particular the tax rebate option introduced by National, has proved very popular as a way for young farmers to save towards a first farm. National has extended the scheme to allow for eligible savings to be used for the purchase of suitable livestock or farming machinery for the purpose of share farming. National will continue to make improvements to this scheme and in particular will: -Increase the amount of eligible savings allowed each year to $5,000; and -Increase the maximum eligible savings per account to $60,000.  Horticulture  National, fully recognising the growth potential of horticulture, and the benefits that will flow from expanded horticultural production, such as increased export earnings and increased employment opportunities, and also recognising the regional impact, has set out to promote and encourage horticultural development. Steps have been taken to provide for a greater degree of co-ordination in the industry, with special attention being given to exporting.  To promote horticulture, National has:  * Set up the Horticultural Export Development Committee;  * Extended the regional development programme to the horticultural sector thus making available staff training grants, investigation and establishment grants, and pioneer status suspensory loans;  * Provided finance through the Rural Bank for those on small rural holdings wishing to undertake worthwhile productive development with emphasis on horticultural production for export;  * Established, within the Export-Import Corporation, a Horticultural Marketing Unit with the initial task of identifying promising export opportunities for selected horticultural products.  National will continue to encourage and assist the development of the horticultural industry through the programmes already introduced and in addition will:  * Ensure that adequate research facilities are available to support export oriented horticulture with particular attention being given to research on the storage and transport requirements of critical products;  * Provide finance to producer organisations to assist with the establishment of processing and packing facilities;  * Facilitate the provision of loan finance to assist exporters to compete in new markets.  Tree Crop Production  National, recognising the potential for production of nuts and similar crops from trees, will: * Appoint a full-time specialist co-ordinator of tree crops; * Investigate the setting up of tree crop nurseries; * Investigate the possibility of establishing courses in tree crop production.  Irrigation and Drainage  National has given high priority to the development of irrigation and drainage schemes with the aim of stimulating agricultural production. The National Government has approved nine new irrigation schemes and, in line with the 1975 election policy, is now meeting  one half of the cost of approved on-farm works.  National will:  * Continue to promote the importance of multi-purpose use of water in the development of our water and soil resources.  * Continue to provide funding for investigation and design of irrigation and rural water supply schemes to ensure multiple use of water in river development schemes and also to ensure that schemes acceptable to farmers are constructed concurrently with river development.  * Promote a programme of construction of irrigation schemes, particularly those involving water harvesting.  * Encourage and promote better floodway provisions and erosion control in all areas.  * Support new drainage schemes, together with river control schemes where these are economic and will result in increased production.  The financing and payment of subsidies for the building of approved community irrigation schemes will continue on the following basis:  * The Government will be responsible for all works outside the irrigable area.  * The Government will pay one half of the cost of all works within the irrigable area.  * Finance will be available from the Rural Bank, by way of mortgage, for up to one half of the cost of approved fixed on-farm works (i.e. the half to be met by the farmer'). The Government's half share will be in the form of a 10 year suspensory loan to be written off in 10 equal instalments.  * Irrigators will pay the full cost of normal operation and maintenance.  In addition, Rural Bank loans up to 100%, with provision for deferral of interest and/or principal repayment, may be given for schemes that do not meet the policy; for example, some spray irrigation equipment or a scheme covering less than the requirements for a community scheme.  Agricultural Research and Extension  Research  National, recognising the importance of agricultural research to any programme aimed at increasing agricultural and horticultural production will:  * Continue to provide research support for the agricultural sector through Government agencies and Government supported organisations, with emphasis being given to research into animal production, pests and weed control, hill country development, new crop development and horticulture  * Fully examine current and likely future scientific and technical staff needs within the Agricultural Research Sections of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the D.S.I.R.  Advisory Services  National will initiate an evaluation of the Agricultural Advisory Service to isolate those factors which appear to be limiting the adoption by farmers of existing and new research knowledge.  Agricultural Training  Our prosperity as a nation is very dependent on the managerial skills and techniques of those who farm our land. National will ensure:  * That those entering the industry are provided with adequate opportunities to gain the necessary skills and techniques;  * That refresher courses in technical and managerial aspects of farming are provided for the more experienced farm manager and farmer;  * That the farm training institutes are enabled to play an expanding role in the training of farmers and farm workers.  Employment on Farms  National, fully recognising the very important contribution which the farm worker makes towards maintaining and increasing agricultural production, has continued to encourage young people to take up farming as a career.  Farm Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme National has introduced a Farm Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to encourage farmers to employ additional workers over and above normal labour needs. There are currently more than 3,500 young persons working on farms under this scheme. This scheme will be continued as part of the Private Sector Job Creation Programme.  Farm Worker Housing  National, having introduced a Home Ownership Scheme for those in tied accommodation whereby Housing Corporation finance is available for the purchase of a first home without requiring that it be occupied initially by the owner, will progressively relax the criteria for entry to this scheme as economic circumstances allow. National has also ensured that finance is available, through the Housing Corporation, to enable farm workers to build or buy a home for occupancy in a rural township near to their place of employment. This will continue.  Social Aspects  Rural Education  National has given high priority to improving the quality and availability of education to those who live in the rural areas. Boarding bursaries have been doubled since 1975, increased allowances have been provided for the transport of school children, more opportunities have been provided in respect of pre-school education, and considerable emphasis has been given to improving the staffing position in country schools.  * National will continue to work to preserve the educational opportunities for all rural people, so that the aim of equal opportunity for all New Zealanders, wherever they live, is pursued with vigour.  *Pre-school education will be further expanded, using existing primary school facilities wherever possible, and through the development of more mobile pre-school units.  *Rural schools will benefit from the phased reduction in staff/pupil ratios for small schools, from 1:29 to 1:25, initiated by the National Government. The reduced ratios will be extended to contributing primary schools.  *The use of school buses to provide extra transport to cultural and sporting activities will be encouraged by a complete review of the country school bus service.  * In order to attract more teachers to rural areas, National will review the differences in opportunity, availability and standard of remote school houses, and the extra costs involved for teachers living in these areas.  * Boarding bursaries will continue to be reviewed annually.  * There will be greater efforts to encourage tertiary institutions to provide a number of short courses designed to cater for the special needs of rural people.  * Parents of Correspondence School pupils will be given further financial assistance for out-of-pocket expenses.  * National will continue to give opportunities for tertiary education throughout the rural areas by means of the REAP project (Rural Education Activity Programme). This will cover all areas of education from pre-school to continuing education, both vocational and non-vocational.  Communications  National has acted positively to reduce the sense of isolation often experienced by those who live in our rural areas.  National recognises that there are nonetheless still areas where services are unsatisfactory. National will, therefore:  * Pursue the upgrading of rural roads as a matter of priority;  * Continue to negotiate improved rural mail delivery services with rural mail contractors, seeking in particular five day delivery services for all but the most isolated box holders;  * Continue to upgrade and extend radio and TV coverage for rural areas;  * Give emphasis to the upgrading of rural telephone services, with particular attention being given to the need to provide all rural areas with free dialling to the nearest town.  ARTS  Film Commission  National has given the film industry a major boost with the establishment of an independent Film Commission to promote the production of New Zealand films. This has assisted in the establishment of a New Zealand film industry producing in particular feature films for both the New Zealand and international market. National will ensure that adequate funding and in particular loan finance is available for this purpose.  Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council  Having established the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council as the body to foster and encourage the Arts, National  °ill continue to provide adequate funds to ensure that the Council is able to fulfil that function. National will move as soon as possible to a system of triennial funding to enable the Council to plan ahead with confidence.  Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts  National, having established a Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts, will continue to provide adequate support, through the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, to encourage the promotion of Maori and South Pacific arts.  Regional and Community Arts  National, recognising the success of Regional and Community Arts Councils in encouraging arts, and particularly crafts, music, drama and visual arts, at the local level, will continue to provide funds, through the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, for this purpose.  National School for the Performing Arts  National, having already set up a School for Ballet and a Drama School, and having made a commitment to re-establish opera, will continue to pursue the establishment of a National School for the Performing Arts.  Cultural Facilities Scheme  National will continue to support the Cultural Facilities Scheme, a scheme to encourage local initiatives, through the provision of funds to ensure that adequate equipment, buildings and concert chambers are maintained. The bulk of finance required for relevant feasibility studies will also be provided.  Private Sponsorship of the Arts  National will investigate ways to provide positive incentives (including tax concessions) to encourage private sponsorship of the arts.  Cultural Initiatives Abroad  National will continue to encourage cultural initiatives in association with New Zealand's diplomatic representatives abroad.  Trans-Tasman Links  National, having established trans-Tasman links with arts bodies in Australia, will work, in association with the Australia New Zealand Foundation, to strengthen these links. Regular meetings of the directors of Australia and New Zealand arts festivals and arts centres will be held. A back-up fund has been established to provide guarantees against losses by Festival Societies and Arts Centres to encourage them to bring artists of world renown to this country. This fund will be administered by the recently established New Zealand Confederation of Arts Organisations.  Cultural Identity  National will foster the development of New Zealand's cultural identity by giving positive encouragement to writers, artists, composers, producers, actors, musicians and those engaged in craft activities.  New Zealand Symphony Orchestra  National will make funds available to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for its forthcoming overseas tour.  National Art Gallery  National will continue to work towards the building of a new National Art Gallery.  Sound Recording Industry  National, recognising the importance of the sound recording industry to the musical, cultural and educational life of the community, will encourage New Zealand composers, recording artists and producers to develop and market their recordings.. To this end,  National has asked the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council to report on how best these objectives can be achieved; and will give sympathetic consideration to such recommendations as the Council may make.  Arts Conservation  National, recognising that the development of the arts must be accompanied by the conservation of the best of the arts of the past, will take appropriate steps to ensure that assistance is available:  * For essential services for the conservation of buildings sites, records, photographs and films, artifacts, art works and other important items from our past;  * For the upgrading of national and regional archives.  BROADCASTING  Objectives  Having re-established the proper balance between public and private broadcasting and Parliament, National's objective is to maintain a progressive and vigorous communications environment in which New Zealand broadcasting can evolve in the best interests of the public for whom it has been established. Therefore, National will:  * Maintain a strong public service system of broadcasting under an independent corporation;  * Ensure the continued development and well-being of independent radio;  * Maintain Ministerial responsibility in public broadcasting because it regards ultimate responsibility through a Minister and Parliament for all broadcasting to be an essential in a democracy;  * Retain the legislative requirement that standards of good taste and decency in programme content are observed;  * Actively promote programmes which reflect New Zealand's multi-cultural society;  * Support BCNZ planning for more programming and involvement of listeners and viewers in assessing and promoting programme ideas and resources.  Television  Within the next three years National will work for:  * The completion of the final stage of national coverage of TV 1 services and the further extension of TV2 services to cover New Zealand;  * Better scheduling to make programmes more complementary between the two channels and to ensure that a broad range of programmes is available to viewers in prime time;  * A re-examination of the roles of the two channels to ensure that the regional contribution to television is encouraged, and the efficient utilisation of all local production facilities is achieved in the interests of both channels;  * The provision of contributions from independent sources.  Radio  National will:  * Ask the BCNZ to include in its five year development plan the adoption of improved technology in Radio New Zealand's system, to extend the range and quality of radio coverage;  * Arrange the introduction and development of FM radio in New Zealand;  * Assist the BCNZ to establish an upgraded external radio service serving in particular Tonga, Western Samoa, Fiji, Niue and the Cook Islands;  * Keep under review the basis of ownership of community radio stations and possible relationship with other media.  Independent Radio  National will encourage co-operation between BCNZ and the independent broadcasting system including non-commercial religious radio, and work for the best utilisation of our radio spectrum in the interests of vitality, variety and competition.  Educational Broadcasting  National will:  * Continue to support the Education Department and the work of the Cabinet Committee on Family Affairs in their development of educational and family life broadcasting on radio and television;  * Request the BCNZ and the Education Department to plan for pre-school and other educational programmes on television for transmission on week-days;  * Support special purpose authorisation for the broadcasting of non-commercial educational programmes.  Production  National will:  * Look to the BCNZ to encourage the development of local programme production and the use of local artists, and encourage the independent broadcasting system in the same objective;  * Look to the further development of specialised programming such as children's programmes and those catering for disadvantaged people;  * Continue and strengthen consultation with the Churches and other religious groups to ensure an adequate reflection of the religious and spiritual values of the community in broadcasting generally and particularly in television;  * Review the areas of difference in broadcasting advertising practices and programme content in conjunction with the BCNZ and all involved parties, in light of the attitudes of other authoritative bodies, especially Parliamentary Select Committees.  Communications  National will:  * Look to the Communications Advisory Council for advice on the rapidly evolving technical developments in the communications field, as it applies to the mass media area, including the possibility of introducing data based information systems;  * Monitor overseas developments, particularly those in Australia, of domestic satellite services.  COMMERCE  Philosophy  National believes that society must be founded on economic freedom and accordingly advocates the continued development of a strong private enterprise system of commerce, which encourages individual initiative, both in business ownership and in the creation of worthwhile employment opportunities, and which protects the interests of the consumer. National will work to effect:  * The promotion of competition as the best regulator of prices;  * The furtherance of co-operation between consumer and trader interests;  * The continued production of high quality goods at home and for export;  The promotion of opportunities for sound and profitable investment;  * The enhancement of the services to consumer, commerce and industry, provided by independent Government agencies, such as the Development Finance Corporation, Small Business Agency, Productivity Centre, Industrial Design Council, the Export-Import Corporation and the Standards Association of New Zealand.  Consumer  National will continue to further develop the working partnership between representatives of consumer and commercial interests as proposed in its 1975 Manifesto and implemented during the past three years. National will expand its policy which has brought the Consumers Institute and Trade Associations together in a series of working parties which have provided the Government with positive recommendations in the joint interests of consumers and commerce.  Consumer Protection  Consumer protection work undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry in the form of price and profiteering surveillance, complaints and inspections will be continued and the services of the Consumer Institute in these areas will be strongly assisted.  Product Safety  National will consider the establishment of a Product Safety Council along the lines suggested by the Ministerial working party on product safety, after consultation with all interested parties.  Prices  The principal objective of National's price policy will be to implement measures which are fair to consumers and traders. National will review price control with the aim of promoting the interests of the consumer, the effective and efficient development of industry and the encouragement of competition. As economic circumstances warrant, price controls will be removed from goods in plentiful supply and subject to competition. Monopoly, near monopoly, and Government subsidised goods will continue to be subject to strict price control under the Commerce Act.  Legislation  National will invite the working party of consumer-commercial interests currently reviewing the consumer legislation administered by the Department of Trade and Industry to review, with the aim of updating and consolidating all consumer legislation administered by individual departments.  DEFENCE  Philosophy  National will continue to:  * Provide for the security of the people of New Zealand including the Island territories.  * Work with New Zealand's allies to provide for the defence of its essential trade routes and vital maritime communications.  * Accord priority status to the surveillance and policing of foreign fishing activities within New Zealand's 200 mile exclusive economic zone.  * Adhere to a policy of collective defence. This is the only effective basis for ensuring adequate security for New Zealand in an uncertain world.  In particular, National will:  * Continue to support the ANZUS Pact as the keystone of our collective defence policy.  * Continue to develop a closer defence relationship with Australia in order to maximise the combined effectiveness of the defence capabilities of the two countries.  Defence Review  National has completed a major review of defence policy to determine the appropriate shape and capabilities of the Armed Forces into the 1980s.  National will implement the recommendations contained in the Defence White Paper.  National will pursue the upgrading and modernisation of equipment for the three arms of the services - the Navy, the Army and the Air Force - to enable them to perform in the most efficient manner, the tactical roles which they will be called upon to perform.  * The upgrading of Army equipment will make for greater tactical efficiency in the field and will enable New Zealand to play a greater part in collective tactical exercises.  * The purchase of the 10 Andover aircraft plus the recommended upgrading of the avionics equipment in our maritime aircraft will make for greater efficiency in maritime reconnaissance as well as greater scope for detecting the presence of foreign fishing vessels.  * Consideration will be given as to the types of vessels and equipment required by the Navy to enable it to play a fuller role.  Personnel and Accommodation  Under National there have been major improvements in conditions of service for members of the Armed Forces. During the last three years National has initiated:  * A new engagement policy for the services whereby servicemen may obtain their release after giving a specified period of notice.  * A restructured Armed Forces pay code which links military pay rates to those of the State Services and makes provision for updating Service pay scales to keep them in line with salary movements in the State Services.  * A new policy on the employment of servicewomen which disestablishes the separate women's services and integrates servicewomen into existing branches and Corps of the Armed Forces. As far as practicable equal employment and career opportunities and common conditions of service are now offered to both sexes.  * A special housing loan scheme and interest free furniture loans for members of the Armed Forces who have completed certain minimum periods of service. National will continue to improve living and working accommodation in all defence establishments.  War Pensions  National has maintained the monetary advantages enjoyed by war pensioners over other beneficiaries. The introduction of national superannuation has not in any way affected the payment of pensions to the war disabled and war widows.  Assistance in the Non-Military Field  Under National the Armed Forces will continue to provide constructive assistance in community affairs and will make their services available in all appropriate non-military fields. However, National recognises that these activities will continue to be secondary to the Forces major role which is to provide for the security of the people of New Zealand.  V.LP. Flying As promised in 1975, National has enabled the R.N.Z.A.F. to perform V.I. P. flying. In June 1976 the National Government approved the purchase of ten Andovers from the R.A.F. Two of these aircraft have been refurbished for V.LP. flying and the R.N.Z.A.F. are now operating them at the highest level of performance.  ECONOMIC  On assuming office in 1975 National inherited an economy which had been dangerously over-stimulated. The rate of inflation was just on 16% per annum and increasing. The overseas deficit was around 10% of G.N.P. and Government spending was running ahead of revenue by an estimated 11% of G.N.P. for the 1975/76 year. After three years of careful restraint under National the goal of single figure inflation is within sight, the external deficit has been reduced to around 3% of G.N.P., and the Government deficit is now only 8.3% of G.N.P. Equally as important is National's achievement in laying the groundwork for a fundamental restructuring of the New Zealand economy by channelling a greater share of resources into the export sector. National will continue to prudently manage the economy while providing appropriate incentives to New Zealand's export industries, with the aim of keeping inflation under ontrol and further reducing the nation's overseas deficit.  Exports  National recognises the vitally important role played by our primary export industries - particularly agriculture and forestry - and the potential of growth areas such as horticulture, tourism and fishing. National also acknowledges the importance to the economy of the manufacturing sector, particularly those industries where there is a high export content. National will continue to provide the economic climate and appropriate incentives to ensure the maximum possible productivity and output from each sector of the economy.  Import Substitution  National believes that efficient and competitive import substitution industries are essential to New Zealand's economy and to this end will continue to pursue stable protection policies.  Curbs on Government Spending  Because further tax relief will be facilitated by further restraint on Government spending, National will:  * Continue to review the activities of Government departments to ensure that these activities reflect the policy objectives of the Government;  * Examine more closely the managerial and financial controls exercised within each Government department;  * Reaffirm the principle that activities which can be carried out in the private sector should not in general be carried out by Government departments.  Taxation  National, having substantially reduced tax rates for young and single income families, and having substantially restructured the tax scales, remains committed to further reduction in tax rates. National will continue to provide tax relief and in particular will: * Further reform the tax scales;  Further reduce the tax rate in the middle income range; Continue to assist single income families;  * Examine a change of emphasis from direct to indirect tax after discussions with employer and employee organisations;  * Review death duties;  * Review the property speculation tax.  Employment  Inevitably, National's programme of restructuring the economy has meant that the rate of growth of employment opportunities has been slower than usual. In spite of this, employment surveys indicate that there are now more people in employment than there were in 1975. New Zealand has the lowest rate of unemployment in the western world. Nevertheless, National recognises that unemployment has climbed to a level that is unacceptably high. To correct this situation, National has instituted five job creation programmes to promote employment opportunities. National believes that as the unemployed are retrained and directed towards the growth areas of the economy the problem of unemployment will be eased.  Interest Rates  National believes that the level of domestic savings must be adequate to finance investment in farms, factories, schools, houses, hospitals, business stocks and other capital developments. When National became the Government the level of savings in the economy was at a low level primarily because the interest rates available to savers were well below the rate of inflation.  National has introduced a flexible interest rate policy to provide attractive returns for savers. To enable small savers to protect their savings against inflation, National has also introduced Inflation Adjusted Savings Bonds which enable individuals to receive interest on their savings equal to the rate of inflation plus 2%.  National will continue both its flexible interest rate policy and its battle to lower the rate of inflation so that interest rates can be lowered without adversely affecting the level of savings in the economy.  Price Control  National will review price control with the aim of promoting the interests of the consumer, the effective and efficient development of industry and the encouragement of competition. As economic circumstances warrant, price controls will be removed from goods in plentiful supply and subject to competition. Monopoly, near monopoly, and Government subsidised goods will continue to be subject to strict price control under the Commerce Act.  International Trade  National believes that in an increasingly interdependent world New Zealand must play a full part in international and regional economic organisations. In the last three years there has been a worrying intensification of agricultural protectionism in some developed countries. New Zealand has argued against this trend in many international forums. National will continue to forcefully advocate, in both international and regional organisations and bilateral negotiations, the lowering of trade barriers which inhibit our trade in agricultural products.  EDUCATION  National believes that education is a lifelong process. The individual's success at school, along with the opportunity to develop abilities and talents through continuing education, are critical if that person is to fit effectively into society.  National recognises that education is a partnership between parents, teachers and children, working together, linking school and community, and preparing future citizens not only for the world of today, but for the changing world of tomorrow.  Professionalism  National welcomes the publication of the Marshall Report on the registration of teachers, which implements the first phase of professionalism, as set out in the 1975 Manifesto. Legislation will be referred to a Select Committee for thorough public scrutiny and discussion. We believe that the education service is worthy of teachers of the highest calibre. For this reason; we believe that pre-service training, induction and in-'service training should also be of the highest standard. We believe that the first five years of a teacher's career are vital. Therefore we will: * Develop teacher and resource centres within teachers colleges; * Ensure greater involvement of college staff in the induction of teachers into the service; * Establish part-time and full-time courses for teachers leading to specific advanced qualifications. National will give opportunity to newly appointed Principals and Head Teachers to receive further training in school administration and other matters relevant to their leadership in the school. There will be increased emphasis on techniques of assessment in primary schools. The New Zealand Council for Educational Research, which has an objective record, will be encouraged to assist with this. More courses will be held, and advice given in techniques of quantitative as well as qualitative assessment. Teachers colleges will be encouraged to give more emphasis to the basic techniques of teaching reading and remedial reading. National will further extend the policy of providing refresher leave for teachers. As a next step in the Teacher Training Review, initiated by the National Government, careful consideration will be given to the recommendations of the report due early in 1979.  School and Community  * National is committed to the establishment of further community schools, and to more community oriented courses in selected schools. To this end, we will provide further staffing assistance as finance allows. This programme is designed to ensure second-chance education for all who want it.  * Every school will be required to accept responsibility for explaining their aims, objectives and programmes to parents, and to take all possible measures to ensure that this responsibility is met. Opportunity will be given for all schools to close for a day to examine and explain their aims and objectives.  * Consideration will be given to the provision of more caretakers' Houses or flats adjacent to school sites, partly to help curb vandalism, and also to encourage weekend and afternoon school community use of facilities where this is appropriate.  The Curriculum  * National believes that the curriculum is at the very heart of learning and teaching.  * The curriculum should extend the individual's capacity to learn, relate, choose, create, communicate, challenge and respond to challenge, so that he or she may live effectively in the community of today and tomorrow, and achieve satisfaction in the process.  * Although we will, at all times, encourage responsible innovation, we expect a period of consolidation over the next few years. New programmes need careful evaluation.  * National believes that the problems of work adaption and transition from school to work are becoming increasingly important. An investigation in depth will be initiated with a view to finding ways of improving this vital area of difficulty for young people.  The School System  * National will investigate ways of bringing school facilities and amenities more closely within the reach of the community, without prejudice to the autonomy of the governing committees or boards. We will consolidate the best of the old and the best of the new in areas of recent curriculum change. We will also encourage greater mobility and communications between professionals holding positions at departmental training college, inspectorial, administrative and classroom level.  * National will retain external examinations at the present levels, but continue research on internal assessment procedures.  * National will, however, give careful examination to proposals for a Board of Studies.  * National will give consideration to providing greater tangible recognition for teachers who adopt an active role in extra-curricula activities.  * The provision and supply of basic equipment to schools will be revised, and discretionary ancillary staffing upgraded so that further support services can be given to alt classroom teachers.  * National will undertake a review of television programmes especially designed for children, and will evaluate their effect on children with a view to deciding what educational television might be provided. Experts in the field will be encouraged to talk to educationalists about possible innovations. We will also discuss with broadcasting officials the incidence of violence in programmes watched by children.  * Special assistance will be given to primary and intermediate schools, to assist with the identification of reading problems as early as possible.  * National is concerned about the physical fitness and health of our young people. We reaffirm that physical education has a major part to play in promoting a positive approach to health care. National will encourage programmes which provide knowledge on how to attain and maintain good health.  * The Johnson Report on health and social education is currently the subject of wide public consultation. If assessment of public opinion shows that legislation is desirable, such legislation will be referred to a Select Committee for thorough examination.  * Because of the importance National places on secondary education as the bridge between childhood and adulthood, we will: - re-examine the distribution of time allocated across the core content at Forms III and IV level.  - expand and encourage educational opportunity in technical subject areas.  Early Childhood Education  Great progress has been made on our 1975 policy of ensuring, where feasible, that early childhood education is generally available as an integral part of the education system by 1980. We believe this objective can still be met. National believes that early childhood care and education services should continue to operate as a partnership between parents, trained staff, voluntary organisations and the State. National will:  * Continually review the teacher: child ratio in kindergartens, with special need areas as a priority.  * Review the preferential appointments system in kindergartens.  * Continue to support the play centre movement and, in particular, their work in rural areas.  * Increase the number of community Pre-School Advisors and provide further training, support and supervision.  * Increase the number of mobile pre-school units.  * Extend the pre-school service established in the Correspondence School.  * Expand part-time special groups for handicapped children at kindergartens and play centres.  * Extend the 1977 Budget announcement of providing for vacant accommodation in primary schools to be made available for pre-school services.  Special Education  * In view of the large and growing number of children receiving special education, teachers colleges will be encouraged to include a compulsory component on special education, in which trainee students are taught to identify communication difficulties, for instance, specific learning difficulties, and are trained to use the different teaching strategies that these children need.  * Greater attention will be given to the detection of hearing defects in primary school children, while other health problems will be examined, and defects carefully evaluated in consultation with the Health Department.  * Short courses of instruction will be offered at technical institutes and community colleges to parents of the disabled, to help these parents in the education of their children.  * Gifted pupils will be identified and given enrichment  courses. More courses for teachers of the gifted will be  held.  Rural Education  * National recognises the importance of high quality education for all rural dwellers. National will continue to preserve the educational opportunities for all rural people, so that the aim of equal opportunity for all New Zealanders, wherever they live, is pursued with vigour.  * Pre-school education will be further expanded, using existing primary school facilities wherever possible and through the development of more mobile pre-school units.  * Rural schools will benefit from the phased reduction in staff/pupil ratios for small schools, from 1:29 to 1:25, initiated by the National Government. We will extend the reduced ratio to contributing primary schools.  * The use of school buses to provide extra transport to cultural and sporting activities will be encouraged by a complete review of the country school bus service.  * In order to attract more teachers to rural areas, the National Government will review the differences in opportunity, availability and standard of remote school houses, and the extra costs involved for teachers living in these areas.  * Boarding bursaries will continue to be reviewed annually.  * There will be greater efforts to encourage tertiary institutions to provide a number of short courses designed to cater for the special needs of rural people.  * National will continue to give opportunities for tertiary education throughout the rural areas, by means of the REAP project (Rural Education Activity Programme). This will cover all areas of education from pre-school to continuing education, both vocational and non-vocational.  Multi-Cultural Education  The unique contribution that Maori people have to offer through their distinctive customs, traditions, value systems and general cultural background is an integral part of the New Zealand society. Special assistance and encouragement will be given to cultivating and preserving these essential features.  National will:  * Continue to encourage the teaching of Maori language throughout the school system.  * Continue to support the Maori Education Foundation with emphasis on the underprivileged.  * Encourage the involvement of Maori parents in all facets of their children's education.  * Encourage the development of pre-school centres.  * Ensure that Maori students are not disadvantaged through lack of study facilities or boarding establishment.  * Increase the number of technical and trade training courses for Maori students.  * Make strenuous efforts to satisfy the demand for employment opportunities for young Maoris.  * Encourage the further development of second language teaching techniques.  * Place emphasis during the preparation of teachers, for multi-cultural studies to be accepted as personal enrichment programmes requiring a sympathetic and sensitive approach.  Recognising our ties with the Pacific Island nations and the interchange of culture which is vital to our growing together, National will continue to provide for the general needs of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand:  * By continuing to support the Pacific Island Resource Centre opened by the National Government in Auckland;  * By expanding the work of the Pacific Island Polynesian Education Foundation;  * By developing special teaching programmes in teachers colleges to assist in the teaching of English as a second language.  Outdoor Education  National recognises the improved understanding in relationships that arise from living together and sharing experiences away from the classroom. Outdoor education gives children the opportunity, with the proper preparation and proper supervision, to explore the world outside the school. National will:  * Appoint a National Outdoor Education Officer to co-ordinate curriculum development in outdoor education.  * Appoint outdoor education advisors to assist with in-service training programmes.  Allow relieving teachers to be appointed for the period of absence of teachers on field trips, when normal programmes cannot continue uninterrupted.  Continuing Education  We believe that life-long education is a vital part of all educational policies. To expand educational opportunities at all stages we will continue to develop a tertiary system based on technical institutes, community colleges, universities and other appropriate educational organisations, as well as in primary and secondary schools where appropriate. This system should provide as far as possible for vocational, non-vocational and second-chance education.  Increasing emphasis will be given to the role of technical institutes and community colleges in our complex technological society.  We will also:  * Support the principle of an autonomous university system.  * Constantly examine the need for the rationalisation of resources.  * Keep under review levels of support now being considered for those in post-compulsory education.  * Encourage a wider variety of non-vocational courses.  * Support a wide variety of cultural and similar activities.  ENERGY  General  Energy is a fundamental element in our way of life. Its availability and cost is a matter of prime importance to all New Zealanders. Several important energy documents have been published during 1978 including "Goals and Guidelines", the D.S.LR. Report on Liquid Fuels, and the Report of the Royal Commission on Nuclear Power Generation. National welcomes the findings of these documents, and accordingly reaffirms:  * That energy supply and energy planning is necessary to enable New Zealand to fulfil its social and economic objectives.  * That National will continue to pursue a dynamic energy strategy while taking heed of the responses to "Goals and Guidelines".  * That the reduction of New Zealand's dependence on imported fuels and the development of New Zealand's vast indigenous energy resources is the prime objective of the National Government's energy strategy.  * That energy conservation will continue to be a matter of prime importance.  * That research and development work into alternative energy technologies such as solar, wind and biomass,  will continue to be expanded to ensure that the maximum number of energy options remain open.  * No decision on nuclear power generation will be made until all the consequences of this technology can be accurately assessed. Priority will be given to the utilisation of indigenous energy resources. National notes that no decision will be needed on nuclear power for at least 15 years.  * That National will continue its energy pricing policy which will continue to reflect as closely as is practical, the purchase and production costs of energy in all its forms.  * National will ensure a proper balance between the needs of energy development and environmental consideration.  Administration and Planning Administration The third National Government has appointed one Minister with responsibility for all aspects of energy in New Zealand. In addition, the three "energy" departments, NZED, Mines Department, and the Ministry of Energy Resources have been merged into one department and  energy responsibilities of other departments have been  transferred to the Ministry of Energy.  This reorganisation has laid the basis for greater co-ordination in policy development and planning and the implementation of that policy and planning.  Planning  Perhaps the most crucial element of providing energy is forward planning. National believes that this must be a co-ordinated exercise which involves all energy resources, including conservation measures.  National will establish, in co-operation with the Ministry of Energy, an energy advisory agency which will include all energy sectors; both public and private. The agency will have an advisory role in that it will make continuing annual reviews of the energy needs of New Zealand over a 15 year period and the energy resources available to meet those needs. The agency will submit this review to the Minister and make such recommendations as it thinks fit. It will be the responsibility of the agency to obtain information from each energy sector to assess total energy demand and advise how that demand should be met.  Distribution  There is no single formula to suit all circumstances in the distribution of energy. Needs will vary from region to region.  Where gas and electricity are being reticulated in a district, then its supply, distribution and regulation should be co-ordinated to ensure its most efficient distribution and utilisation.  The basis of gas distribution to new districts will be decided on the aforegoing principles and decisions will be taken by Government as gas becomes available.  It is clear that the Electric Power Boards, Muncipal Electricity Supply Authorities, gas undertakings, and the Natural Gas Corporation will be involved in these decisions.  Utilisation of Indigenous Resources  1. Compared with many countries New Zealand is discovering it has adequate energy resources in all forms other than liquid fuel.  ~. The potential shortage of liquid fuels is serious because of the impending upsurge in demand for oil in the 1980s. This is likely to produce dramatic price rises. New Zealand has to face this situation and plan accordingly.  Therefore, National has established four broad priorities:  * To press forward with the exploration programme to prove New Zealand's indigenous resources in coal, gas, oil and geothermal energy.  * To ensure the utilisation of New Zealand's indigenous resources in the most efficient way.  * To ensure that the liquid fuels we import are used as sparingly and efficiently as possible.  * To ensure that imported liquid fuels are substituted by indigenous fuels wherever possible. Policies introduced over the last three years have resulted in a dramatic reduction in our dependence on imported liquid fuels and this must continue. This will be achieved by:  Continuing fiscal incentives such as interest-free loans and tax incentives for the use of gas, coal and  solar energy.  * Continuing measures to encourage conservation of all forms of energy.  * Expansion and development of New Zealand's liquid fuel industry emanating from the National Government's decision to utilise Maui gas for this purpose.  2. Electricity  National recognises the inherent advantages of hydro electricity as a renewable resource. It is the most valuable and convenient form of energy available in New Zealand and its further development as a national resource will be a priority.  * Major schemes to develop hydro potential will be continued. In light of the increasing cost and importance of energy to New Zealand's future, major hydro schemes such as the Clutha will be developed in a manner that will harness the maximum energy potential with proper regard for the needs of the region.  * To enable the South Island to participate appropriately in the continuing development of its water resources, National will institute concessional electricity tariffs for the establishment, expansion or retention of industries in the South Island. These concessional tariffs will be available for industries of national or regional importance, in which electricity charges are a significant element in production costs, and will be granted for periods of up to ten years where necessary to ensure the sound establishment or restructuring of the industry.  * The development of small hydro schemes by power authorities has been very successful and will receive continuing emphasis.  * National will, wherever practicable, develop the mufti-purpose benefits of our hydro resources, especially for irrigation, water conservation and recreation projects associated with power generation schemes.  * The emergence of thermal power stations fuelled by oil, coal or gas, has been a feature of recent energy planning. National will ensure that the substantial fuel requirements for these stations will be met with indigenous fuels wherever possible and in a manner which will achieve the greatest efficiency. To this end the more efficient combine-cycle power stations will be used as an alternative to conventional steam stations wherever practicable.  3.Natural Gas  With Maui gas likely to join the Kapuni gas supply next year, natural gas will become an integral part of New Zealand's energy supply. The utilisation of these supplies is of prime importance not only to New Zealand's energy needs, but to our economy. National, in recognising its importance, has introduced sweeping measures to ensure the use of natural gas as a primary fuel in the home, as well as in industry and as a fuel for conversion to other energy forms. Gas reticulation will be an on-going exercise to enable as many New Zealanders as possible to take advantage of it. Where feasible, the Natural Gas Corporation will extend the reticulation to provide supply to major users. National will support the use of compressed natural gas as a transport fuel provided the conclusions of the testing programme, now nearing completion, are satisfactory.  L.P.G.  Current investigations indicate that the L.P.G. potential of the Maui field is substantial. National intends to realise as much of this potential as is technically and economically possible. Given the realisation of this potential National will make L.P.G. available:  * For transport purposes;  * As a substitute for manufactured gas;  * As a substitute for imported oil;  * As an alternative fuel for other applications.  National will establish a common price in both North and South Islands for bulk quantities of Maui L.P. G. stock. There will be provision for buyers of exceptionally large quantities to negotiate prices even lower than the country-wide common bulk rate.  Liquid Fuel  The 1978 Budget referred to the need for a Liquid Fuels Trust Board to carry out investigations into alternative indigenous liquid fuels and legislation has now been passed to establish this Board. Furthermore, as a major innovation to reduce our dependence on imported liquid fuels, the National Government intends to convert Maui gas into liquid fuels in an attempt to make New Zealand self-sufficient in transport fuels. The major alternatives of blending methanol with petrol and diesel and the production of synthetic gasoline will be thoroughly investigated and the establishment of a methanol plant capable of producing a 15% methanol content in petrol is considered a priority by National. The policy of one price petrol throughout New Zealand will be retained into the future following the introduction of methanol blends and/or synthetic gasoline.  Incentives to Use Natural Gas  National will review and continue to expand incentives to encourage the conversion of electricity to gas appliances in the home and in industry where it is more efficient to do so.  Exploration  The continued exploration for natural gas is important to prove our indigenous resources. National will continue to make provision for this exploration to be carried out in co-operation with the private sector, while extending its own exploration programme in the absence of private sector interest.  4 . Geothermal  The expertise New Zealand has acquired in the production of geothermal energy is well recognised by National and will be applied to the continuing development of this resource. National will continue geothermal development with a view to realising New Zealand's full geothermal potential currently assessed at 2,OOOMW.  S.Coal  Coal is New Zealand's largest non-renewable energy resource. The National Government has implemented an extensive coal exploration programme to prove our exploitable resources in order that the maximum use can be made of this resource.  National will improve mining techniques to ensure the best possible extraction rates.  National believes it is essential that coal is used, where possible, as a solid fuel in place of imported fuels, and measures will continue to this end.  National recognises the potential for coal in liquefaction and gasification processes and will encourage research, and keep abreast of all new developments in these processes.  6. Solar  Solar energy is capable of making a substantial contribution to water heating in New Zealand homes. National will continue to make incentives available to encourage the use of solar energy for domestic water heating. National will fund research and development directed at improving the efficiency of this technology. Solar energy has potential in other fields also and National will ensure this potential for New Zealand is fully developed.  7.Other Energy Sources  New Zealand's long term energy needs demand the full utilisation of all New Zealand's indigenous resources. f  With this in mind, National will:  * Continue research and development into energy farming and other biomass potential;  * Provide financial support for the development and production of energy, using waste, including refuse;  * Ensure the continued research into the use of heat pumps, heat exchange, wind energy, congeneration and district heating wherever practicable;  * Keep abreast of overseas developments in such emerging technologies as wave, solar electricity, tidal, and ocean thermal differences.  Conservation  National recognises that very large amounts of energy produced in New Zealand are lost through waste and/or inefficient use. Therefore, National reaffirms its promotion of a programme to better utilise and conserve energy. This programme will:  * Further promote better standards of building design an insulation to provide for better conservation of energy;  * Actively promote better design and insulation standards for domestic water heating appliances that will minimise energy usage;  * Introduce incentives to encourage the installation of domestic wetback open fireplaces and space heaters, where such appliances comply with clean air standards;  * Continue to encourage the recycling of waste oil;  * Further encourage industry to develop energy systems which utilise industrial wastes to meet their energy needs, thereby increasing their level of self-sufficiency in energy.  Research and Development  National recognises the need to move from a dependence on non-renewable indigenous resources to renewable resources. In addition to exchanging views with international energy agencies, National will continue to fund specific programmes, both public and private, directed to this end. National particularly recognises the invaluable contribution made by the NZERDC ("Maiden" Committee).  Specifically, National will:  * Continue its active membership of the International Energy Agency of the O.E.C.D.;  Continue to provide adequate funding for the "Maiden" Committee;  Continue to support existing and new research programmes in the energy field undertaken by private and Government agencies.  ENVIRONMENT  "This we know: The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth." Society's well-being is dependent upon the quality of its environment. New Zealand's natural environment is more than a valuable resource, it constitutes our life blood. National regards environmental care as not an isolated policy, but a way of planning and managing our future.  Commission for the Environment  National has encouraged the widening of the Commission for the Environment's activities into initiating new planning approaches and reviewing existing techniques. National will continue to maintain the independence of the Commission's environmental procedures. A great deal of research expertise and innovative talent in the environmental field lies in the community at large. National has established a government fund for sponsoring research through environmental organisations and seeks an expanding role for community and non-government organisations in environmental planning.  Human Environment  Four out of five New Zealanders now live and work in our towns and cities. Until recently, this urban environment has been able to develop in times of plenty. Now, as energy grows more expensive, and productive land more precious, urban areas must look inwards for growth and regeneration. National has legislated to restrict the growth of cities onto valuable farm land. In enacting a New Town and Country Planning Act and the Local Government Act, we have laid the basis on which to plan the future. Urban areas may now be planned in their regional context. Local authorities have been given greater powers to plan in accordance with their own particular needs and choices. There has been a process of rural depopulation which has affected the quality and range of social amenities available to rural communities. National recognises the need for active and vigorous rural towns in New Zealand's social balance and will provide support for the regeneration of rural communities.  Urban Renewal  National will expand its urban renewal programme especially in the inner city areas of the major metropolitan centres. In so doing, National will:  * Consult with local authorities;  * Undertake research to explore new approaches to inner-city medium-density housing;  * Provide financial assistance to local bodies for urban renewal projects;  * Regularly review the level of home improvement loans and broaden the purpose for which they are available.  Land Use  National regards wise land use as basic to our environmental policy. The Land Use Advisory Council is at present formulating a comprehensive national land use policy, and the Town and Country Planning Act legislates for land resource advisory committees, operating at a regional level.  Mountain Lands  The steep nature of our land forms requires careful management and conservation of upland areas. National will continue to give high priority to activities in reducing erosion of hill country and mountains. Conservation areas on steep land will be expanded and integrated into land management systems. Research and experimentation by the Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute will continue to establish the best use of our mountain areas.  Recreational Lands  Multiple use of productive land will be encouraged to complement existing public open space. National parks and forest parks will be expanded where appropriate and the New Zealand walkway extended. Maritime parks will be further developed. A number of measures in the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Act and the Reserves Act 1977, allow for areas of native bush, and individual trees to be preserved. The conservation covenant provision in the Reserves Act allows for negotiations to be undertaken with land owners for the preservation of specific areas of scenic, historic, or recreational value.  Indigenous Forests  The days of clear felling of virgin native State forest areas are over except where it can be demonstrated that for special regional, social or economic reasons, land carrying indigenous forest is required for productive purposes. The major part of existing virgin native forest will be given reserve protection. In those virgin native forest areas not given reserve protection, logging will be undertaken only on a sustained yield basis. This will only occur after management proposals have been formulated, following the release of a public discussion document and wide ranging discussions have been held. Where necessary, to reduce the level of cut to that which can be sustained, present State indigenous wood commitments with private sawmillers will be renegotiated. Exotic conversion will be carried out only in those logged over areas where natural regeneration has not been successful, where the social and economic need is clearly evident, and where exotic plantations are the appropriate productive use of the kind. Where it has been decided that native State forests will be managed as productive forests, and natural regeneration has not been or is not likely to be successful, an indigenous trees planting programme will be carried out. All price control of native timber will be progressively removed, so as to ensure better utilisation.  Water  Rivers, Streams and Lakes  Clean, fresh water is becoming one of the world's scarcest resources. New Zealand has been well endowed with abundant clean water, and must ensure that this will always be the case.  National will maintain the highest possible standards of water quality for the multiple use of water for community needs, for energy production, for protection and for recreation.  National will identify and give appropriate protection to those sections of wild and scenic rivers which should be preserved for scenic and recreational purposes.  The Ocean  The Maritime Pollution Act will continue to be rigidly enforced, and the equipment of the mobile team of emergency operators to deal with oil spillages improved.  National has introduced and passed the Marine Mammals Protection Act, to ensure the protection of all marine mammals within our economic management zone.  National has rejoined the International Whaling Commission to add one more voice to the case for conserving and preserving the many species of whale.  Wildlife  Many of our native birds are endangered species. Each species is unique and, in view of their international as well as national significance, must be protected.  More resources will be provided through the Wildlife Service of the Department of Internal Affairs to ensure that research and conservation work is expanded.  National will maintain a close liaison with the wildlife conservation organisations such as the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.  Pollution Urban or Industrial Waste In the interests of creating a cleaner environment and better use of material and energy resources, National will embark on a comprehensive programme to avoid the creation of waste, encourage effective recycling and ensure a better use of both domestic and imported resources. Environmental pollutants are often resources in the wrong place. Therefore; National will:  * Have the old car bodies at present polluting our countryside, reused by providing incentives to establish mobile compression machines to crush car bodies in preparation for transportation to a car shredding plant.  * Encourage wider use by local bodies of segregated rubbish collections so that valuable resources such as glass, tin cans and paper can be recycled.  * Continue to support the recovery and reuse of kraft paper by New Zealand Forest Products Ltd. and assist in the establishment of a collection network.  * Continue to provide incentives to those companies engaged in waste oil reclamation and re-refinement.  Air Pollution  The Clean Air Act provides the necessary basis for the control of air pollution in New Zealand. National will ensure the "best practical means" approach outlined in the Act is enforced. The policy of conversion of natural gas into methanol for use in a lead-free petrol-methanol blend will be accelerated.  Noise  National will strengthen the existing laws which control undue and offensive noise in urban residential areas, and will regularly examine the need for further protection against outside noise.  Energy Planning  National has altered the course of planning for the nation's future energy requirements. Emphasis is now placed on the development of indigenous and renewable sources of energy, for example, increased investment in geothermal electricity, a continuing development of hydro electricity with greater emphasis on small hydro schemes, the better utilisation of natural gas as a premium fuel and feed stock for methanol and petrol-chemicals instead of its wasteful total conversion to electricity.  Conservation  National will continue to promote our programme to better utilise and conserve energy by:  * Further promoting better standards of building design  and insulation to provide for better conservation of energy;  * Actively promoting better design and insulation standards for domestic water heating appliances that will minimise energy usage;  * Introducing incentives to encourage the installation of domestic wetback open fireplaces and space heaters, where such appliances comply with clean air standards;  * Further encouraging industry to develop energy systems which utilise industrial wastes to meet their energy needs, thereby increasing their level of self-sufficiency in energy.  Nuclear Power  After a full appraisal of nuclear power generation, the National Government has concluded that it will not be necessary to develop nuclear power in the foreseeable future.  Environmental Education  National recognises that education takes place in the real world as well as inside the four walls of a classroom. Outdoor education gives children the opportunity to explore and gain a wider perspective of the outside world. Therefore, National will:  * Appoint a National Oudoor Education Officer to co-ordinate curriculum development in outdoor education.  * Appoint outdoor education advisors to assist with in-service training programmes.  * Make Forest Service facilities available to be used for outdoor education purposes.  * Promote the setting up of campsites and walkways in State forest areas.  International Responsibilities  Management of the environment is increasingly one of collective international responsibility. As finite resources diminish and population pressures exert a toll on the  world's water, land and air, New Zealand's own environmental qualities will be subject to influences beyond our shores. National will continue New Zealand's international association with UNEP, UNESCO, and the Environment Committee of the OECD, and further encourage the significant contribution New Zealanders make to the world environmental forum.  Nuclear Testing  National will continue its active support in the United Nations for a programme of action, aimed at the prohibition of nuclear testing in all environments, and more effective measures to avoid the proliferation of nuclear weapons.  FISHING  National, having launched the fishing industry on a pattern of growth and development, will ensure that this growth continues to the benefit of New Zealand's fishermen and the nation's economy. This stimulation of the fishing industry will also prove to be of major benefit to several of our provincial port cities in generating employment opportunities and economic and social development.  Recreational Fishing  National recognises that recreational fishing is an important activity in its own right, and where necessary fishing grounds will be protected from over-exploitation.  200 Mile Exclusive Economic Zone  National, having introduced legislation to establish the 200 mile exclusive economic zone, will continue to -operate with other nations to utilise that proportion of e resource beyond the present capacity of the New Zealand fishing industry.  National will continue to strictly control fishing activity in the zone to prevent over-exploitation. The activities of the New Zealand defence forces will continue to be co-ordinated to police and protect the zone so that the maximum possible protection is afforded to our fish resource.  The Fisheries Control Centre will be maintained on a 24 hour basis to monitor the activities of foreign fishing vessels working in the 200 mile zone.  National requires that overseas companies seeking involvement in New Zealand's 200 mile fishing zone, abide by the Joint Venture Fishing Guidelines that the Government has recently established. The Overseas Investment Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will continue to investigate foreign participation proposals to ensure that tangible benefits accrue to New Zealand and the local fishing industry.  Conservation  National will continue to protect areas reserved for  traditional Maori food sources and fishing.  National, through the Fisheries Licensing Authority established in 1977, will implement the new system of selective licensing, where there is a proven need for such measures in order to prevent over fishing.  The authority granting licences under the Act, is required to have regard to the desirability of providing and maintaining a reasonable standard of living for fishermen, and of giving preference to fishermen from a community within the area of the controlled fishery.  Whales and other marine mammals have been given absolute protection under legislation passed during 1978. Under National, New Zealand as a member of the International Whaling Commission will promote the protection of endangered marine mammals.  Marine Reserve  National, having recently established New Zealand's first marine reserve, will investigate other methods of protecting the aquatic environment and providing scientific data on coastal water usage. The procedures for establishing other reserves have been streamlined.  Research and Development  The rapid growth of the New Zealand fishing industry requires an increased research effort. This will concentrate on resource assessment, new fish harvesting techniques, processing, handling, and the practical application of this research.  To facilitate this development the new Fisheries Research Laboratory and Oceanographic Institute currently under construction at Greta Point in Wellington will operate as the central research facility for the development of the fishing industry.  National, recognising the necessity of diversification and expansion in the fishing industry, will encourage the development of aquaculture and fish farming. In particular, National will:  * Simplify the fish farming licensing procedure and co-ordinate its development.  * Encourage the planned development of oyster, mussel and other molluscs, eel and fresh water crayfish farming.  * Continue the development of the current salmon farming projects.  Fishing Industry Board  National has placed a new emphasis on the Fishing Industry Board by providing that a majority of its members come from the fishing industry. To assist the Board in its new role, National has increased the Government grant from $95,000 in 1975/76 to $400,000 this year, and will continue to provide an annual grant on a dollar for dollar basis up to a budgeting limit.  Technical Education  National believes that the Nelson Polytechnic, Manukau Technical Institute and Otago Polytechnic's School of Nautical Studies play a major role in maintaining high technical standards in the fishing industry. National will encourage the extension of similar courses into community colleges. National will continue to financially assist those who seek to improve their technical qualifications.  Exports  National will continue to encourage the development of the local fishing industry so that New Zealand fish exports can compete on and gain a greater share of overseas markets. National will continue to provide a wide range of export incentives including:  * Export Suspensory Loans, from the Development Finance Corporation, of between $10,000 and $200,000;  * Rural Exports Suspensory Loans, from the Rural Bank, of up to 40% of qualifying expenditure;  * Increased Export Taxation Incentives of 25% of excess export sales;  * Sales tax exemptions on export processing machinery;  * Tax deductions on export market development expenditure.  As an interim measure pending the introduction of an approved industry development plan, fish packing houses installing new plant and machinery to comply with hygiene regulations will qualify in the year of expenditure for an investment grant of 7% on the cost of such plant.  Finance  National, having authorised banks to provide overdraft support facilities for the storage of fish for out of season sale, will initiate discussion on other methods of stabilising incomes within the industry. National has, over the last three years, introduced a comprehensive range of financial measures and tax concessions designed to assist and encourage the rapid expansion of the New Zealand fishing industry. These measures include: * Duty and sales tax concessions on: fishing vessels, machinery, implements and other equipment such as lines, nets and rafts. * A petrol rebate for fishing vessels and stationary engines.  * Special income tax concessions on first year depreciation and investment allowances on buildings, plant and machinery. Concessions will also be granted on capital expenditure surveys, repairs to fishing boats, development expenditure on rock oyster, mussel and fresh water fish farming.  * An income equalisation reserve scheme to even out fluctuation in income from fishing and fish farming.  * Tax concessions on first year capital expenditure on pollution prevention and energy conservation expenditure.  * Fishing boat ownership savings schemes providing for either a grant or a tax rebate in respect of eligible savings up to $4000 per year where these savings are used to purchase a first fishing vessel.  * Suspensory loans for the modification, re-equipment and purchase of gear and vessels constructed in New Zealand.  * Development Finance Corporation hire purchase and lease finance with a minimum figure of $50,000.  * Development grants through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Qualifying projects include: the exploitation of new fishing grounds, aquaculture, the development of small-scale coastal fisheries, energy conservation techniques, and training.  * Training incentives for: deckhands, skippers, engineers and mates.  * An allowance for persons taking the Coastal Fishing Skipper Training Course.  * Rural Banking and Finance Corporation loans for building or purchasing fishing vessels that are 9 metres long or larger.  * Rural Bank Suspensory Loans for fishing boat construction. These will cover 40% of costs for vessels over 21 metres, and 30% costs for vessels between 15 and 21 metres.  * Special fishing boat loans of up to 80% of value for vessels, equipment and gear.  * Development Finance Corporation 5 to 15 year term loans for the purchase of plant and equipment.  * Regional Development 30% Suspensory Loans on plant, machinery and building; Investigation and Establishment Grants of up to $10,000 to cover feasibility study expenses, and Pioneer Status Suspensory Loans of up to $50,000.  * Loans for flake-ice plants and coolstores.  * Rural Bank loans for fishing gear, equipment and improvements to fishing vessels. The minimum application is $2,000.  * Rural Bank loans for re-engining vessels over 9 metres in length. Finance will also be provided to cover short-term liabilities.  * Rural Bank loans for the development of rock oyster and mussel farms.  * Improvement Assistance Grants for plant and machinery so hygiene standards can be maintained in fish packing houses.  These progressive measures will be regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of this dynamic industry.  FOREIGN AFFAIRS  Philosophy  National sees New Zealand as an independent Pacific nation in an increasingly interdependent world. National will continue to develop a foreign policy designed to:  * Stand up for New Zealand's national interests wherever they are challenged;  * Fulfil New Zealand's obligations as a responsible member of the international community;  * Bearing in mind that foreign policy and trade are inextricably linked, promote the relationships with other countries that will protect existing trading interests and offer new opportunities for expansion our trade;  * Broaden New Zealand's international contacts wherever it will benefit this country to do so.  National has always regarded the South Pacific as a region of immediate New Zealand interest and will accordingly:  * Continue to promote the closest co-operation with the independent and self-governing states in the region;  * Still further develop New Zealand support for the South Pacific Forum, the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation (SPEC), and the South Pacific Commission (SPC);  * Continue its support for the Pacific Forum Shipping Line and establishment of a South Pacific regional fishing agency;  * Maintain and expand the Pacific Islands Industrial Development Scheme as a basis for a secure, prosperous and interdependent South Pacific region.  Australia: The ANZAC Partnership  National believes that New Zealand's ties with Australia re of the highest importance. It will:  * Strengthen co-operation with Australia still further, both bilaterally and in our relations with other countries;  * Seek progressively to liberalise bilateral trade under the NAFTA and to develop industries that can meet international competition, increase domestic employment and strengthen both economies on a complementary basis;  * Support the efforts of the Australia New Zealand Foundation, of other trans-Tasman institutions and of businessmen and other individuals to promote an even more effective economic and political relationship between our two countries.  Pacific Basin  National will continue to promote the full range of New Zealand interests with the major centres of population and trade, technology and finance in the Pacific Basin, the greatest growth area in the world.  The Americas  National will strengthen New Zealand's relations with  our traditional friends in North America-the United  States and Canada - and widen our links with the rapidly developing states of the Caribbean and Latin America.  Under National, New Zealand's posts in Lima and Santiago have been raised to full embassies. To further expand political and trading relations, Ambassadors and Trade Commissioners will be accredited to Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, the Argentine and Brazil as soon as the practical arrangements can be completed. National will work to promote these relationships.  Anzus  National sees the Anzus alliance as a central element in developing New Zealand's vital political, economic and technological, as well as our security interests. National will therefore: * Work for the maintenance and development of Anzus; * Maintain New Zealand's defence forces as a basis for effective co-operation in security matters.  Asia  National recognises the wide range and diverse requirements of our relations with Asia with its growing influence in world affairs, and will accordingly:  * Promote and expand New Zealand's relations with Asian nations both through direct contact and through regional organisations;  * Maintain our close political ties with South East Asian countries and develop our political and economic links with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN);  * Continue to press for improved access for New Zealand exports to the Japanese markets under stable conditions, with a view to putting our relations with Japan on a firm and lasting basis;  * Further develop relations with the People's Republic of China, with a view to a mutally beneficial expansion of trade;  * Maintain and expand New Zealand's political and economic relations with other Asian countries, including Commonwealth Asian countries, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.  The Commonwealth  National regards the Commonwealth as a unique mufti-racial association of independent nations, both developed and developing, and will continue active participation in its efforts to promote wider understanding between its peoples, greater respect for human rights, and the economic development of its member states.  Britain  National recognises the continuing importance of New Zealand's historical economic and cultural ties with Britain and will sustain them.  Western Europe  National recognises also that New Zealand's traditional links with Europe, through Britain, are strengthened by Britain's membership of the European Community and that the Community continues to be New Zealand's most important trading partner. National will accordingly work for:  * The further development of our links with the Community;  * The expansion of our trading opportunities;  * The further development of Western European interest in the security and economic well-being of the Pacific.  Eastern Europe  National has extended the range of existing accreditations to Eastern Europe to include Czechoslovakia and the German Democratic Republic and will continue to explore and expand efforts to seek out trade and economic opportunities for New Zealand in Eastern Europe. Under National New Zealand's bilateral trade with the USSR has rapidly expanded. National believes that there is scope for the further development of a mutually advantageous economic, trading and technological relationship between the two countries and will continue its efforts in this direction.  Africa  National recognises the importance of the African region and the influence of African states in Commonwealth and world affairs. With a view to working towards the desirable goal of direct New Zealand representation in the area National will review the possibilities of establishing one or more posts in the African region over the next three years.  Middle East  National recognises that the Middle East represents a potentially rich export market for New Zealand. In the last three years National has vigourously promoted New Zealand's trade with the area. A consular post has been opened in Bahrain and there have been regular Ministerial visits to Iran, Iraq and the Gulf States. As a result of these steps New Zealand's exports to the Gulf have increased significantly. National will continue to develop New Zealand's interests in the area and encourage New Zealand exporters to use the joint venture facilities established in Bahrain to their fullest extent.  Antarctica  National will continue to play an active role in international negotiations on the exploration and possible exploitation of Antarctic resources.  International Organisations and  Programmes  National believes New Zealand has interests and responsibilities as an independent, outward-looking member of the world community and will promote:  * The universal observance of human rights as defined in the United Nations Declaration and Covenants;  * The efforts of the United Nations to promote a new international economic order and to assist the economic development of the developing countries;  * The strengthening of international law and order and New Zealand's United Nations peace-keeping capacity;  * New Zealand's participation in major international conferences on topics of concern to New Zealand.  Disarmament  National considers that general and complete disarmament under effective international control should be the ultimate goal of disarmament negotiations. As a means towards that goal, a National Government will continue active support in the United Nations for a realistic programme of action including the prohibition of nuclear testing in all environments, more effective measures to ensure against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and progressive reductions of both nuclear and conventional weapon stocks.  Gleneagles Agreement  In accordance with its concern for the universal observance of human rights, National will continue to express its opposition to policies of racial discrimination wherever they may exist, including the policy of apartheid. As a signatory to the Gleneagles Agreement, a National Government will continue to persuade New Zealand sporting bodies to observe that agreement as a code of conduct in international sporting events.  Law of the Sea  National, recognising the importance to New Zealand and island countries of the South Pacific of a successful outcome to the Law of the Sea Conference, will continue to work actively with other countries for the early adoption of a widely acceptable convention on the Law of the Sea.  International Whaling Commission  National will continue to give importance to New Zealand's renewed membership of the IWC (which New Zealand rejoined in 1976). In concert with like-minded conservationists in the Commission New Zealand will work actively to ensure the conservation and preservation of the different species of whales. In response to widely expressed concern over the future of dolphins and related species, National will work towards their inclusion in the terms of the new International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling a present under discussion in the Commission.  Overseas Development Assistance  While the continuing depressed state of the world economy has limited New Zealand's capacity to give Overseas Development Assistance, National will reach towards the goal of 0.7% (official development flows as a percentage of GNP) as the economic position of New Zealand is strengthened.  National will also:  * Further improve the quality and effectiveness of our external aid through close co-operation with recipient countries in order to recognise the desires and aspirations of developing countries;  * Continue to use the Voluntary Agency Support Scheme to subsidise the effective contributions made by Voluntary Agencies to the welfare of developing countries.  FORESTRY  New Zealand's forests are both a major economic resource and an amenity for people. National believes that the basic principle of any forest policy must be that of balanced use of both native and exotic forests, for sustained yield timber production, soil and water management, the protection of indigenous flora and fauna, recreation, scenery and research.  Indigenous Forests  The days of clear felling of virgin native State forest areas are over except where it can be demonstrated that for special regional, social or economic reasons, land carrying indigenous forest is required for productive purposes.  The major part of existing virgin native forest will be  Qiven reserve protection. n those virgin native forest areas not given reserve protection, logging will be undertaken only on a sustained yield basis. This will only occur after management proposals have been formulated, following the release of a public discussion document and wide ranging discussions have been held. Where necessary, to reduce the level of cut to that which can be sustained, present State indigenous wood commitments with private sawmillers will be renegotiated. Exotic conversion will be carried out only in those logged over areas where natural regeneration has not been successful, where the social and economic need is clearly evident, and where exotic plantations are the appropriate productive use of the kind. Where it has been decided that native State forests will be managed as production forests, and natural regeneration has not been or is not likely to be successful, an indigenous trees planting programme will be carried out.  1 price control of native timber will be progressively removed, so as to ensure better utilisation.  West Coast Forestry  National will maintain the sawmilling industry at a level which continues to contribute significantly to the regional economy by:  * Promoting a programme of management of northern beech forests;  * Assisting industry in the developing, processing and marketing of beech;  * Promoting the management of the southern podocarp forests on a sustained yield basis;  * Increasing the area of exotic forest planting on additional suitable areas to ensure the long-term future of the industry.  Exotic Production Forests  Exotic forestry industries are some of the most dynamic in New Zealand's economy. In looking to the future, National will aim at a management policy of such forests that will provide a wide range of options in end use -from clear wood through to timber for energy. Unproductive Crown land will be planted in exotic forests, where this is the appropriate land use. To encourage more forestry planting by private landowners who qualify for a Forestry Encouragement Grant, the Marginal Lands Board or Rural Bank will be allowed to lend additional funds. The Forestry Grants Scheme will be made more flexible, to give additional incentives to landowners to plant slower maturing trees, to meet the demand for special-purpose timber.  Recreational Forests  National believes that our New Zealand forests provide ideal opportunities for outdoor recreation, and recognises that as our urban population grows, the demand for outdoor recreational opportunities will increase.  Therefore, National will:  * Promote the setting up of campsites and walkways in indigenous State forest areas;  * Promote the setting up of hunting areas in State forest areas;  * Make Forest Service facilities available to be used for outdoor education purposes;  * Establish new forest parks and extend existing ones;  * Examine the need to create recreational forests adjacent to urban centres.  Tree Crop Production  National, in recognising the potential of production of nuts and similar crops from trees will:  * Appoint a full-time specialist co-ordinator of tree crops;  * Investigate the setting up of tree crop nurseries;  * Investigate the possibility of establishing courses in tree crop production.  Research and Development  National will give greater impetus to all aspects of research on indigenous and exotic forests, with special emphasis on: * Technology to enable South Island beech forest production and multiple use of native forests generally; * Energy production; * Increasing the productivity of exotic forests; * Expanding food crop production from trees; * Combined grazing and cropping with plantation forestry.  HEALTH  * Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Community health implies not only the maintenance but also the achievement of this type of health in the community. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." National, in observing the foregoing World Health Organisation declaration, will continue to:  * Improve the mobility, flexibility and diversity of our health services to ensure that specific needs in particular areas are met.  * Implement community health care and preventive health measures by appointing more public health nurses, health assistants, and other health staff to make primary medical care more accessible to people in their own localities.  * Encourage and assist hospital boards to extend their community health and domiciliary care services, such as meals-on-wheels, laundry services, district nursing and chiropody.  * Promote health education and disseminate information which will assist the individual to recognise his own responsibilities.  * Further expand occupational health services by establishing additional teams of health professionals to work in association with industry to minimise hazards in industry.  * Give increasing emphasis to control of air and noise pollution, and chemical contamination of the environment.  * Collaborate with, and where appropriate give financial support to, voluntary agencies engaged in community health and health education.  Future Development of Health Services  National has, in accordance with its 1975 Manifesto promises, set up a Committee to consult and advise on the future development of our Health Services to meet modern needs. The Royal Commission disbanded by the Labour Government has not been re-established. To ensure full consultation with those who are involved in the provision of or who are the recipients of health services the Committee has established a sub-committee of local people, in predominantly rural Northland, to conduct the dialogue, and discussions are taking place between local people. A second sub-committee is shortly to be set up in Metropolitan Wellington. Consideration will be given to any changes recommended. Service Development Groups are being established as part of the consultative and policy formulation machinery. These will not necessarily become part of the accepted administrative organisation. Guidelines for discussion and consultation have been established within the framework of National policies:  * The dual system of private and public hospitals and services will continue. 22  * Voluntary agencies will be assisted to make their indispensable contributions.  * Emphasis will move to community care, including domiciliary care to lessen the demands on large sophisticated base hospitals.  * Hospital boards will be given increasing responsibility and authority.  * Any proposal to integrate hospital boards with Health Districts will be carefully considered.  * Hospital board members will continue to be elected, with the chairman elected by the board members. National is prepared to consider the case for having some appointed members but would never agree to having a majority of appointed members. National is not committed to appointed members. Discussion, consultation and planning may show that all members should be elected, or that co-options may be preferable to appointments.  * National favours maximum decentralisation of health administration and co-ordination of public, private and voluntary resources at the local level. National will not, therefore, increase centralisation of health administration, nor consider a New Zealand Health Authority or any such bureaucratic machine.  Child Health  National notes the general improvements in child health as reflected in falling mortaility rates for infants and pre-school children. However, National views with particular concern child mortality rates due to drowning and accidents, including poisonings, which account for 40% of deaths in the 1-4 age group. National recognises the need for continued vigilance and action if the improvements effected are to be sustained. Therefore, in accordance with its policy of moving primary medical care into the community, and in furtherance of the Unit Nations resolution declaring 1979 the international Year of the Child:  * National will continue to initiate programmes aimed at children and young persons. Those pilot schemes initiated by National in primary schools will be extended. These provide for Public Health nurses to examine all new entrants.  * National will continue the development of community and home-based pre-school primary health services exemplified by the extension of Plunket Services in South Auckland.  * National confirms its policy to develop in Auckland a children's hospital which will provide specialist paediatric services and training for child health professionals.  * National has increased the General Medical Services Benefits for children to a level where the N. Z. Medical Association recommended to its members that any additional charges be nominal or minimal. These benefits will be kept under regular review.  * National will increase general public and parental awareness of the special needs of the child through television and other media with particular emphasis on preventive health measures such as: -accident preventive programmes; -programmes related to hygiene, nutrition and basic child care; -efficient health surveillance at pre-school and school age level.  * National appreciates the need for constant surveillance of the levels of immunisation in the community, viewing with concern the tendency to neglect this important preventive health service. National will concentrate on practical measures to encourage child immunisation against poliomyelitis, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, English measles, German measles (Rubella), and tuberculosis (for infants at risk) by: -encouraging parents through information and education to have their children immunised; -keeping under review the rate of the immunisation benefit which was increased in 1977 to encourage parents to ensure the full immunisation programme for their children; -enlisting the support of professional and voluntary organisations to ensure full participation in immunisation programmes.  Adolescent Health Services  National will develop adolescent health services, particularly in the major cities. These will be similar to the student health services and will be based on centres where counselling and other advisory services can be made available. These services will supplement but not supplant general practitioner services.  General Practitioner Services  National will continue to ensure that general practice remains the fundamental and essential element in our health services by:  * Recognising the importance of vocational training for general practice by expanding the family medicine training programme from the 30 G.P. registrarships in 1978 to 45 in 1979 and 60 in 1980.  * Continuing to support the policy of group practice loans.  Encouraging the expanded use of urban and rural practice nurses.  Health Centres  Health centres provide a wide variety of co-ordinated health services under one roof, a base for health education, supportive services, and training of health professionals. Health centres attract doctors to particular areas. Eight health centres are already functioning and increased finance has enabled planning and construction to commence on further centres. This programme will be accelerated.  Hospitals -- Dual System  While the costs of the health services must come primarily from taxation, National will continue to support the private sector and recognise the dual system. We see the private hospitals as complementary to the public system, so that there is a proper balance between the available public and private facilities. National does not see private health insurance as detrimental to the public hospital service. We consider that private health insurance provides the opportunity for  more people to exercise a free choice between public and private hospitals.  Hospital Care  While ensuring that as far as possible people are cared for  in their own homes or communities, National recognises the continuing importance of hospitals and the need to maintain standards, to develop services and to introduce modern professional and technical innovations. National will:  * Pursue the policy it has successfully developed during the past three years of moving health care services out into the community;  * Plan low-rise hospitals, located in the communities which they will serve, in preference to centralised high-rise institutions;  * Encourage out-patient and day-patient care;  * Continue to develop family counselling services;  * Assist Boards in developing comprehensive psychiatric and psychopaedic services including appropriate in-patient, out-patient and supportive services in the community;  * Ensure more effective use of resources by better financial management, development planning, personnel management, training in management skills and availability of computer based information;  * Ensure that highly expensive technology in the health field be fully evaluated before major resources are allocated;  * Re-appraise building programmes in light of changing needs.  * Encourage Boards to further develop their community-based services, with special attention to domiciliary care.  The Elderly  National, in association with the Social Welfare Department, the Housing Corporation (for pensioner housing) and other appropriate agencies, will promote and improve the quality of life, dignity and independence of the elderly by:  * Continuing and extending community based programmes;  * Assisting the voluntary welfare and religious organisations in the care of the elderly;  * Increasing the number of geriatric assessment units to identify elderly patients who need care and rehabilitation;  * Continuing domiciliary care from hospital services;  * Providing home help assistance through hospital boards.  Health Information and Promotion  National is concerned about the number of cases of ill health and mortality which arise from preventable diseases, such as heart disease and disease of the respiratory system, and from accidents. National considers it necessary to emphasise the importance of the individual's own responsibility if better standards of health are to be achieved for all New Zealanders. National will embark on extended health education and preventive health programmes to emphasise the value to both the individual and the community of attention by the individual to positive health measures. National will, therefore:  * Give increasing recognition to the recommendations of the Food Standards Committee and the Nutrition Advisory Committee in its health education programmes, to impress on all individuals the importance of a proper and adequate diet in the maintenance of good health;  * Join with other agencies in highlighting the causes of accidents and how these may be avoided or lessened;  * Provide, through television and other publicity media, appropriate programmes with particular emphasis on preventive health measures;  * Consult with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, and other appropriate authorities to establish a programme for the dissemination of information on family and occupational health;  * Establish information centres in conjunction, where possible, with existing health services;  * Distribute leaflets and other publications aimed at special groups;  * Emphasise the environmental aspects of health promotion.  Occupational Health Services  National will:  * Strengthen and extend the Occupational Health Services through the appointment of additional occupational health teams;  * Provide investigation, research and treatment into diseases of animals that can be transmitted to man, such as brucellosis and leptospirosis.  Environmental Health  National will:  * Expand measures to control the pollution of air and water, including contamination of the environment through smoke, lead and other contaminants;  * Give special emphasis to eliminating noise induced occupational deafness;  * Continue to provide financial support and encouragement to local authorities for sewerage and water treatment schemes.  Family Planning  National will continue to support family planning to assist couples who seek advice on the size of the family they wish to have, and the spacing of their children, in the best interests of the health of the mother and the children.  Dental  National sets as its goal the promotion of dental health to a standard that will allow people to retain their natural teeth for life. To achieve this desirable aim, National will:  * Discuss with dental health workers the establishment of specific health targets and the introduction of procedures for maintaining dental health;  * Encourage the establishment of an independent dental health foundation to promote dental health on a national basis, to foster research and encourage liaison between all groups interested in dental health;  * Encourage all health workers to promote dental health by making people more aware of the value of sound natural teeth.  * Expand the role of the school dental nurse  * Discuss with the dental profession the introduction of  24  dental therapists and the possibility of requesting adequately trained dental technicians to perform some clinical functions;  * Review the dental needs of handicapped people and the services available to them.  Chiropody  Hospital Boards have been authorised to engage chiropodists on a sessional basis to provide community chiropody services, particularly for the elderly. This programme will be stressed and expanded as required.  Mentally Ill  In order to preserve, as much as possible, the independence of the mentally ill, community services such as day care centres and clinics, will be further developed. National will also ensure that there are adequate institutional facilities for those who cannot be catered for in the community.  Physically Handicapped  * Further assistance will be provided to voluntary agencies who play an important role in helping the physically handicapped to live in the community.  * National has established new benefits for breast prostheses, artificial eyes and hairpieces. Consultations will be undertaken with the Department of Social Welfare to establish whether these benefits need to be extended and new benefits provided.  * Rehabilitative measures will be improved by making full use of the statutory and voluntary agencies working in the field and including the responsibilities of the Accident Compensation Commission.  * All authorities who design public and private buildings will be required to ensure ready accessibility for the handicapped.  Manpower Planning  * National will undertake a continuous review of the training and employment of doctors and other health workers to ensure that adequate numbers of skilled personnel are available to meet the needs of the community. * Measures to establish family medicine as a specialty will be continued. Incentives will be provided, where necessary, to ensure equitable distribution of manpower, particularly the education of doctors in general practice and the deployment of doctors in the areas of need.  Nursing Education  * The nursing education programme in technical institutes, established by a National Government in 1972, will be the subject of continuing review and evaluation to ensure that those who care for the sick are trained in the special skills necessary.  * Post basic nursing education will also be the subject of review to ensure that proper emphasis is given to community aspects and the need to provide an adequate number of nursing administrators.  Alcohol and Tobacco  National views with concern the costs to the health service of both alcohol and tobacco. Significant advances have been made by financing community health projects through the tobacco and alcohol duty of lc on each drink and on each packet of 20 cigarettes or tobacco equivalent. This has returned nearly $30 million a year, since mid-1977, for community health. National:  * Will make funds available to establish additional treatment and rehabilitation facilities;  * Acknowledges the need for greater emphasis on health education in this area. Special education campaigns will be undertaken.  Home Help  National acknowledges the value to the patient of being assisted to remain in a familiar environment during periods of stress and convalescence, through the provision of such domiciliary services as district nursing, meals-on-wheels, home help, laundry and chiropody. The funding of home help services to hospital boards for the assistance of patients in their own homes will be continued and expanded in accordance with the need.  Ambulance Services  As the result of the establishment by National of an  Philosophy  National recognises the right of every New Zealander to a secure and satisfying housing environment and will therefore continue to give high priority to housing and ensure that it receives an appropriate share of the nation's resources.  National will continue a housing strategy to meet the needs of the last quarter of the 20th Century. Attention will be given to the greater diversity of life style and the more active role of women in the community.  National will continue to direct its future policies towards achieving:  A balanced, varied and well maintained housing stock;  * An adequate supply of private and public mortgage finance capable of meeting the needs of home seekers at reasonable rates of interest;  * A stable building industry.  Housing Finance  Recognising that the key to home ownership is the availability of mortgage finance, the National Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that finance is available for New Zealanders to buy houses. Measures have been taken to promote savings so that banks and the Post Office have money to lend for housing. The private financial institutions have been encouraged to make more funds available for housing, through regular reductions in the amount they have to invest in Government Stocks. The Post Office is now able to use a portion of its deposits for housing loans, and the Housing Corporation has continued to provide finance at reduced rates of interest, depending on income, for families and individuals seeking their first home.  National will continue to encourage the private financial institutions to make funds available for New Zealanders ambulance officers training school in 1978, the quality of ambulance services will improve. These will be further enhanced by the extension of double manning.  Complaints  National recognises the need for a satisfactory procedure to deal with complaints by patients about medical practitioners; a procedure that has the confidence and respect of the public. For the first time a layperson has been appointed to the central Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. National will have further discussions with the Medical Council and the New Zealand Medical Association and will improve the complaints procedures in the interests of patients.  Conditions of Employment  The need to ensure adequate conditions of employment for those employed in the health services is acknowledged. There will be continued improvement in this area.  HOUSING  to buy homes and in particular will regularly review the Government stock ratio requirements as they relate to savings banks and building societies with a view to further reductions. National welcomes the moves already taken by various institutions to introduce more flexible, and in particular low start, mortgage schemes. National will continue to encourage the development of flexible mortgage schemes tailored to the needs of young families.  The Housing Corporation will continue to be the principal source of housing finance for low income first home seekers. Under National the Housing Corporation will:  * Regularly review lending limits with the aim of increasing them to at least 80% of the cost of a first home.  * Continue to extend provisions for loans on existing homes, from time to time, in the light of the needs of the building industry.  * Continue to offer interest rate concessions to those on low incomes and regularly review the income levels at which the concessions apply.  * Continue the present low start mortgage scheme for those borrowing at the prime interest rate thereby  offering flexible arrangements for repayment of loans.  * Allow borrowers to transfer their mortgages to a second home under certain circumstances, including the purchase of a second home: -necessitated by a major change in family size; or -which will produce significantly better utilisation of existing housing stock; or -caused by redundancy or job transfer.  * Introduce special incentives, such as suspensory loans,  for the purchase of new and existing dwellings where these fall within the Government's urban renewal guidelines.  * Encourage the greater use of home improvement loans as a way to encourage better utilisation and maintenance of our existing housing stock while at the same time providing additional work for the building industry.  * Extend the availability of home improvement loans, with special incentives for urban renewal, and will make such loans available for up to 15 years providing that: - the building has not less than 20 years of additional useful life.  - the improvements are carried out under the Building Performance Guarantee Scheme. National will continue to review regularly the Post Office Savings Bank second mortgage home finance and personal loans schemes to ensure funds are available at reasonable interest rates to individuals requiring these forms of assistance.  Urban Renewal  National will expand its urban renewal programme especially in the inner city areas of the major metropolitan centres. In so doing, National will:  * Consult with local authorities.  * Undertake research to explore new approaches to inner-city medium-density housing.  * Provide financial assistance to local bodies for urban renewal projects.  * Regularly review the level of home improvement loans and broaden the purpose for which they are available.  * Review the criteria for repayment of Post Office second mortgages.  "Fencing Off The Cities"  National is concerned at the economic and social costs of urban sprawl - particularly in the provision of roading, transport, schools and services. National believes in protecting New Zealand's highly productive farm land from urban encroachment. Whilst the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 promotes this aim, National will regularly review its implementation to ensure it meets this objective. National will facilitate urban renewal in inner city suburbs in conjunction with local authorities.  Building Performance Guarantee Scheme  National has established the Building Performance Guarantee Scheme to protect home purchasers from defective house building workmanship and materials for up to six years. To improve further the general standard of home building, National will take active steps to encourage the use of the guarantee by private lending institutions, and will investigate the extension of the guarantee to cover additions to existing homes.  Housing Mobility  National will encourage greater flexibility and more efficient use of existing housing units and will give particular attention to:  * Extending the Vendor Mortgage Scheme which presently involves a tax saving of up to $500 where the older person has left a substantial vendor mortgage in the property of not less than 50% of the Government valuation for a minimum of 7 years at no more than Housing Corporation interest rates. These measures aim to provide further incentives for the elderly to relinquish the family home for more suitable smaller accommodation.  Providing special incentives including suspensory loans for young families buying their first home in any area which falls within the Government's guidelines for urban renewal.  Consulting with the legal and real estate professions to examine procedures by which the heavy administrative costs in the sale of dwellings can-be reduced.  Tax Rebate on Rates  Having introduced a tax rebate of up to $25 per year on rates, National will continue to ease the burden of rates, as economic circumstances allow; by increasing this tax rebate.  State Housing  National will continue to provide State rental housing for those individuals and families who because of various difficulties cannot house themselves by any other means. The criteria by which State house allocations are made will be reviewed. The revised criteria will include a calculation of eligibility, inclusive of net rather than gross income and making allowance for overtime. National will continue: * The existing tenancy arrangements. * Annual income-related rent reviews. * The Tenancy Savings Scheme * The policy of selling State houses to those tenants who wish to purchase. The terms of sale will be reviewed. * The policy of making State rental tenancies available to local bodies and welfare organisations for other than residential purposes. * Our programme of insulating State rental houses.  Pensioner Housing  National will:  * Regularly review the level of Housing Corporation lending on pensioner housing.  * Increase the asset limits for eligibility for pensioner housing as circumstances permit.  * Encourage local bodies and charitable organisations to erect own-your-own flats for sale to elderly people (without any income limit) by making bridging finance available.  * Continue to encourage the housing of the elderly close to or as part of the family unit where appropriate. Loans for the addition of facilities to existing houses for the accommodation of elderly parents will be reviewed and the concept of moveable self-contained granny flats will also be promoted where such accommodation would be suitable.  Home Guidance Bureau  National has introduced Home Guidance Bureaux in Auckland and Christchurch to help home seekers. This concept will be extended to other cities. A standard regularly updated guide to data on procedures relevant to architects, builders, real estate agents, solicitors, trades people, finance and insurance institutions will thus be made available to a greater number of home seekers.  IMMIGRATION  Philosophy  National recognises the contribution that immigration has always made and will continue to make in New Zealand society in the fields of skills, labour and of cultural diversity. National believes that New Zealand has an absolute right to maintain a controlled immigration policy, with particular reference to the ability from time to time of the New Zealand economy to support varying levels of immigration. The effect of immigration on the internal economy of New Zealand will continue to be an important determining factor in establishing numerical immigration levels.  Short-Term Policy  National will keep under regular review the need for skilled workers in New Zealand industry, and will egularly update the list of approved occupations for Immigration purposes, which currently stands at 240 occupations, as well as continuing to allow the entry of persons in other occupations where it can be shown that there are no New Zealand residents available who can fill the positions.  Long-Term Goals  National also recognises, however, that immigration must take into account not only short-term economic objectives, but also long-term development and social considerations. National will therefore promote, within the context of an overall population policy for New Zealand, a balanced and long-term immigration policy which will have full regard for:  * The need to recruit skilled workers who are required by New Zealand industry;  * The need to protect and promote job opportunities for New Zealanders;  * The desire to provide assistance to Pacific nations, particularly through the provision of work permit schemes for unskilled workers;  * The need to provide a home for those persons who may qualify for settlement in New Zealand on humanitarian grounds.  Settlement  The rapid growth of mufti-culturalism, while clearly benefitting New Zealand, means that more effort needs to be put into helping migrants to adapt and settle into the New Zealand way of life. National will therefore put a greater emphasis on settlement activities in order that newly arrived immigrants or long term visitors, especially those with different economic and social backgrounds, can more easily overcome their initial settlement difficulties. Community service groups will be encouraged to participate in settlement activities.  Controlling Illegal Immigration and Overstaying While doing all it can to assist persons who are in the country legally National will, however, continue to exercise tight controls to minimise illegal immigration and overstaying, but with full regard being given to humanitarian considerations through the appeal procedure now contained in the Immigration Act. An appeal tribunal has now been established to hear appeals against orders of deportation of New Zealand residents who have been convicted of a criminal offence. New Zealand citizens cannot be deported. Non-residents or temporary visitors, of which we have over 500,000 a year, will continue to have a right of appeal to the Minister against an order for deportation following a conviction for overstaying or being in New Zealand illegally.  INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS...  Philosophy  National believes in democratically run industrial unions. It will consequently support unions in their lawful activities and will encourage further education opportunities being made available for union officials. National supports the concept of worker involvement believing that through closer understanding and mutual respect, good industrial relations can develop. Good industrial relations are a key to real social and economic progress. National will take every opportunity to promote among workers and management an increasing sense of  their responsibility to their country and everyone in it. Safe and suitable working conditions will continue to be promoted. An employer's right to take on and put off staff is upheld subject to redress where such right is improperly or unfairly exercised. National will support new patterns and conditions of work and more training and retraining courses to promote employment opportunities for all those who are at present disadvantaged by lack of skills or by family responsibilities. National is convinced that respect for lawful authority in the industrial sphere is vital to the health of a democratic society. As in all other spheres in New Zealnd, forms of judicial process exist which protect both the rights of the individual and the community. National supports the concept of mediation and conciliation and will uphold and respect the authority and standing of the Arbitration Court.  The Rule of Law  A National Government will guarantee:  * The right of-any person directly affected by a strike or lockout; or -any organisation representing any person directly affected by a strike or lockout; or -a Minister of the Crown where the public interest is threatened; to seek an order from the Arbitration Court for the resumption of work.  * The right to sue for damages where an individual suffers loss or damage as a result of an illegal strike or lockout.  * The control of union affairs and finances by rules and methods agreed by the membership and subject to regular audit by the Registrar of Unions.  * The right of aggrieved individuals, whether employers or employees or innocent third parties to approach the Human Rights Commission (which the National Government established) for redress. National believes it is essential that industrial law contain penalty provisions for illegal strikes and lockouts.  Industrial Law Composite Agreements National will refer to the Industrial Relations Council the possibility of giving parties to composite agreements access to conciliation and arbitration machinery by joint application with a view to amending the law in this respect.  Personal Grievance Procedures  National will institute discussions with the Industrial Relations Council on ways of improving the effectiveness of personal grievance procedures.  Voluntary Unionism  National confirms its commitment to giving workers a choice of compulsory or voluntary unionism. Ballots on the unqualified preference clause will continue. Alternative procedures for the taking of ballots have been provided for by the National Government. These will ensure that everyone subject to an award containing an unqualified preference clause will be able to vote in a democratic manner whether or not that clause should be retained. National has legislated to ensure that its policy of balloting workers on the question of insertion of the unqualified preference clause is not frustrated by the Union.  National will continue to review International Labour Organisation Conventions and in particular 87 and 98 relating to freedom of associations and collective bargaining and their effects on the New Zealand industrial scene. Bearing in mind that other similar democratic countries have taken up to four years to find approved methods by which their existing regime has had to be altered to obtain the necessary International Labour Organisation approval, any such project must be looked at in the medium to long term. Within the Pacific region, New Zealand has ratified more International Labour Organisation Conventions than any other country.  28  Office to Supervise Union Ballots  National believes that the New Zealand workers should have a right at all times to administer their own affairs by a democratic majority vote. National will offer a fully independent electoral office within the Department for the use by unions free of charge. to undertake when requested any ballots within the union. The use of the proposed office will be optional to the unions concerned.  Amalgamation of Unions  National has facilitated the amalgamation of unions by legislation simplifying the procedures which must be followed. National will, with the co-operation of the Federation of Labour, continue to encourage union amalgamation or association at plant level. It believes that this is best achieved by consultation and agreement, appreciating the problem arising from the loss of craftsman status consequent upon amalgamation.  Association of Unions  The Cook Strait ferry link between the North and South Island is vital to all New Zealanders. To ensure that an efficient and regular service is maintained, and in the interests of industrial harmony, which is essential to an uninterrupted inter-island service, National considers all employees in the inter-island rail ferry system should belong to one union. National will encourage this move.  Sanctity of Contract and Longer Awards  National believes that more emphasis should be placed upon moves towards lengthening the period for which industrial awards should apply. Legislative moves have already been undertaken stipulating a minimum period of 12 months except where the Arbitration Court permits a shorter period for particular and special reasons. National will work with the Federation of Labour towards seeking mutual agreement between employers and unions for longer term awards. National will encourage parties to move towards a no strike clause over remuneration and other allied factors during the period of an award. The aim should be to solve differences of opinion before an award is made.  Standard Rules for Unions  National will consult with the Federation of Labour on a' continuing basis with a view to establishing minimum standards for inclusion in union rules before they can be adopted and approved by the Registrar of Unions. Within that concept a union will retain the right to determine its rules by majority vote of all its members.  Worker Participation  Under National, worker participation occurs in some 12% of industries, Worker participation is a key to improved productivity and reduced friction in the employer / employee relationship. We do NOT believe that participation can be imposed on the parties. National will continue to upgrade the services of the Department of Labour in the field of worker participation and will provide improved facilities and the means of communication to encourage further development in this field with the co-operation of employers, employees and their respective organisations.  Policies to encourage employee shareholding and profit sharing will continue.  Particular emphasis will be placed on programmes of joint consultation and the development of autonomous work groups which we believe are the most successful in and suitable for the New Zealand environment.  Industrial Education  National will continue to support the Industrial Relations Foundation and participate fully in assisting those awarded Prince Philip scholarships in human relations by way of co-operation with those overseas Governments and authorities who can assist in broadening the spectrum of advice needed in New Zealand.  Apprenticeships  National will ensure that a full review is undertaken by responsible bodies such as the Apprenticeship Training Board, the Vocational Training Council and appropriate Government Departments to revise the apprenticeship structure within New Zealand.  National sees any such review concerning the question of the degree of training within Polytechnic Schools, night classes and Correspondence courses as replacing in part the current hours of service needed for certification.  National would also seek those responsible to examine the possibility of introducing an alternative apprenticeship certificate based on practical competence. This would (reward young people who find that the scholastic and academic standards of the appropriate examinations cannot be met. The emphasis will be on practical ability.  Training and Employment Creation  National is concerned that three out of every four people seeking work through the Department of Labour have no identifiable vocational skills.  The National Government has promoted employment and training programmes as a co-operative venture involving the Departments of Labour, Education and Social Welfare, local educational institutions and employer and employee representation at both the local and national level.  National will continue to actively encourage and promote: Pre-employment courses; Short-term skills training courses; and General skills training courses;  which have been shown to be the most successful means of extending work skills and developing a good work attitude.  National will continue to encourage the creation of additional jobs in the private sector by assisting employers to meet costs incurred during the initial period of employment. The Farm Employment Scheme and the Additional Jobs Programme have been extended to 31 March 1979. These schemes will continue to be reviewed in the light of the current labour market situation.  National will continue to support the Temporary Employment Programme in the public sector, with particular emphasis on those co-operative work schemes which support young persons who are socially disadvantaged and have severe difficulties in adapting to regular employment.  In line with its education for life policy, National will promote the role of Vocational Counsellors in providing a vocational guidance service to schools and to the public, while providing a counselling support to the employment service of the Department of Labour.  Flexibility in Employment  National recognises the equal responsibilities and contributions of both men and women in the family and the workforce. To maximise workforce potential and to minimise the difficulties which parents with family responsibilities face, National will:  * Provide special officers of the Employment Division of the Department of Labour, with responsibilities to encourage all employers, in both the public and private sector, to provide work patterns suitable for family needs such as: - flexible working hours - multiple shift work -part-time work - job-sharing  * Give further attention to the problems of retraining and re-entry of women to the workforce, with special attention to on-the-job training.  * Give positive encouragement to employers who provide retraining facilities covering as wide a field of employment as is possible.  Night Work  National will take positive steps at the 1981 International Labour Organisation Annual Conference in Geneva to revoke New Zealand's ratification of Internal Labour Organisation Convention 81 which restricts the right of choice of New Zealand women to work in industry at night. National firmly believes that in today's society, having regard of the Equal Pay Act, and the conditions of work provided by employers, New Zealand can now revoke its ratification of this Convention and thus tap the potential of those women who are willing and able to use their skills and training in industries working night shifts.  Redundancy  National's policy on redundancy will be considered in the light of the working party report to be brought down by the Industrial Relations Council.  Waterfront Industry  National will continue to support the work of the Waterfront Industry Commission and in particular the extension of that work to include the problems of potential redundancies within the industry.  Accident Compensation Commission  National will, early in 1979, undertake a review of the working of the Accident Compensation Commission based on the internal study groups already set up and due to report in November 1978.  INTERNAL AFFAIRS  Youth  National recognises that young people have the potential to make a very significant contribution to their community and country. National has set out to expand the range of youth policies in force to assist young people to take their place in society. These policies seek to encourage and support young people, while at the same time placing great reliance on the ability of young people to define their own needs and seek their own solutions to problems encountered.  National has developed, through the Departments of Labour, Internal Affairs and Education, a number of special programmes and courses to assist young people to enter the workforce. These include pre-employment courses, the Skills Promotion Programme, the First Job Programme, and the Student Community Service Programme. Other programmes have been developed to assist young people, such as the Detached Youth Worker Programme and the Youth Initiatives Fund. National will further develop such schemes where the need exists.  In developing youth programmes and in all other matters relating to youth, National will maintain a close liaison with the National Youth Council.  National will continue to support the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Young New Zealanders will be selected for study in youth work at the Commonwealth Youth Development Centres, and youth workers will be selected for overseas fellowship studies.  National will continue to subsidise and support youth groups such as the Young Men's and Women's Christian Association and the Youth Hostels Association. National will also continue to support the traditional uniformed youth groups.  Film Industry  National has given the New Zealand film industry a major boost with the establishment of an independent Film Commission to promote the production of New Zealand films. This has assisted in the establishment of a New Zealand film industry producing in particular feature films for both the New Zealand and international markets.  National will ensure that adequate funding and in particular loan finance is available for this purpose. National will give further consideration to the licensing of "drive-in" cinemas.  Wildlife  Many of our native birds are endangered species. Each species is unique and, in view of their international as well as national significance, must be protected.  30  More resources will be provided through the Wildlife Service of the Department of Internal Affairs to ensure that research and conservation work is expanded.  National will maintain a close liaison with the wildlife conservation organisations such as the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.  National will also co-operate closely with the Acclimatisation Societies. The independence of the Societies will be fully honoured and their essential role as community-based and community-responsive organisations with a statutory responsibility for the administration of wildlife recreational activities will be recognised.  Racing  National will, as economic circumstances permit, review  the percentage of totalisator tax investments and the amount of rebate allowed to Racing and Trotting Clubs.  National will give every encouragement to thoroughbred and standardbred breeders in their efforts to develop and further expand the export potential of the breeding industry.  Gaming and Lotteries  National will investigate and consider proposals for new types of lotteries that will increase the funds available for social, cultural and welfare purposes.  Civil Defence  Although the prime responsibility for Civil Defence in each region now lies with the united and regional councils, National believes continuing community and local authority participation is vital to the maintenance of an efficient civil defence network. National will strongly encourage community and local authority participation in Civil Defence. Financial assistance will continue to be provided to local authorities, by way of a dollar for dollar subsidy on items of expenditure relevant to Civil Defence. National will review the 1962 Civil Defence Act with the view to improving the civil defence structure in New Zealand, and to reflect the move towards a greater degree of regional organisation.  Chatham Islands  National will ensure that communications with the Chatham Islands are further improved. National will: * Complete the construction of a sealed airstrip at Karewa Point; * Ensure that a regular and frequent shipping service is provided, and that the wharf is upgraded to meet the requirements of the vessel on the run.  JUSTICE  Philosophy  National will continue to maintain, preserve and observe the Rule of Law. Successive National Governments have upheld the principle that all citizens are equal before the law. Since 1975, National has passed further legislation to achieve this end. National believes that the law must be administered by open, independent courts and tribunals, free from interference or direction, arid to which all citizens should have ready access. National believes that our laws should be clear and certain, and where necessary should continue to be revised and reformed to achieve this end. As part of this process, outdated and irrelevant laws should be removed from the statute books.  Access to Justice Courts National has taken positive steps to reduce Court delays by appointing more Magistrates and Judges and by empowering the Court of Appeal to sit in Divisions. In 1976, National established a Royal Commission to inquire into the Court structure. Now that the Commission's Report has been presented, National will promote public discussion and debate on its recommendations and, with the aim of reducing delays and costs in Court cases, will give early consideration to a programme to implement the Report. Particular attention will be given to the establishment of Family Courts - with a comprehensive jurisdiction over all matters affecting the family.  * A Judicial Commission - to supervise the day to day administration of the Courts.  * District Courts (formerly Magistrates' Courts) with enlarged criminal and civil jurisdiction.  Legal Aid and Duty Solicitor Scheme  To improve access to the Courts, National:  * Has increased criminal legal aid fees by 50%;  * Is reviewing the whole system of legal aid and services to ensure that financial assistance is available in cases of genuine need;  * Will review the Duty Solicitor Scheme.  Small Claims Tribunals  National has established a pilot scheme of three Small Claims Tribunals (in Christchurch, New Plymouth and Rotorua) to deal - in an informal and inexpensive way -with claims up to $500. National will:  * Progressively extend these tribunals;  * Examine the possibility of increasing their jurisdiction to larger claims.  Legal Profession  National recognises that both the public and the legal profession want changes to the rules governing the profession. Therefore a new Law Practitioners Act will be introduced and referred to a Parliamentary Select  Committee to receive submissions from interested organisations and individuals. Particular attention will be given to the recommendations of the Public and Administrative Law Reform Committee on lay participation in disciplinary tribunals.  Law Reform Law Reform Procedures National has taken substantial steps to reform, improve and modernise our laws, by repealing outdated statutes and clarifying previous confusing law. National will continue to update the law. To improve law reform procedures, greater use will be made of part-time researchers to assist Law Reform Committees. National, believing that law reform is not the prerogative of lawyers alone will, where appropriate, and acting through the Law Reform Council:  * Appoint suitable lay persons to assist Law Reform Committees;  * Prepare brief summaries of Law Reform Committee Working Papers and Reports to promote public discussion, prior to the implementation of a Committee's recommendations.  Revision of Statutes and Regulations  National, concerned that some statutes and regulations are outdated or irrelevant, will give the Law Reform Council the additional responsibility of reviewing all existing statutes and regulations. This review will be facilitated by a new method of reprinting statutes.  Summaries of Legislation  National believes that laws must be precise and easily understood. However, some complicated legislation is inevitable. National will, therefore, publish brief explanatory notes on important new legislation affecting the rights and obligations of New Zealanders.  Reprint of Statutes  National recognises the need for an up-to-date and concise collection of all current statute law. In a time of rapid change the previous method of issuing a periodic statutory reprint is no longer appropriate. Therefore, from 1979, National will introduce a new continuous reprint of statutes. By 1981 the number of volumes of statutes will be reduced by 13; by 1983 the reduction will be 39 volumes: When completed, this will mean that all statutes will have been reprinted in the previous ten years - and this cycle will be maintained on a continuous basis.  Regulations  National will consult as widely as possible with interested parties regarding draft statutory regulations, except where urgency, the need for secrecy, or unimportance of subject matter makes this inappropriate.  Criminal Justice Restitution National recognises that the present law makes inadequate provision for the payment of restitution and reparation by criminal offenders. In the interests of the victims of crimes, the present provisions for restitution and reparation will be extended so that, as far as possible, the offender repairs the harm done to his victim.  Penal Reform  For many years National's policy has been to promote new and effective means of sentencing, punishment and detention. Most recently corrective training institutions have been established to provide a new and more effective penalty for young offenders and these, in conjunction with special youth prisons, will enable Borstal Training to be abolished.  A new sentence of Community Service is to be introduced - to curtail an offenders' leisure and instil a sense of responsibility. A new type of custodial sentence - less than total confinement - which will allow offenders to continue in their employment, will be considered for introduction.  National will continue to review sentencing and punishment procedures to ensure that they meet New Zealand's needs, and will increase maximum penalties wherever appropriate.  Other Legislation  * Revision of the Police Offences Act will begin with the introduction of a Summary Offences Bill. * The law relating to extradition will be reviewed.  Prison and Probation Services  National will continue its strong support of:  * The Prison Service, with continued emphasis on staff training and adequate housing and conditions for those working in remote areas;  * The Probation Service, including undertaking a full review of workload guidelines for Probation Officers.  Liquor Laws  National recognises the problems created by excessive alcohol consumption, and is concerned at the increasing number of road accidents and crimes of violence associated with its use. Penalties for these offences have been very substantially increased. Law enforcement procedures for drinking-driving offences have been streamlined. The law will continue to be reviewed and, if necessary, strengthened even further. National, having established the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, will continue to give it strong support. National will review the Sale of Liquor Act, particularly including an immediate review of the General Ancillary Licence provisions.  Commercial Law  National believes that the law should give the maximum opportunity for the commercial community to engage in free, competitive enterprise. At the same time, National recognises the need for adequate measures to protect the public in commercial affairs, but without inhibiting business activity. In addition to the establishment of a Securities Commission and the employment of specially trained police personnel, National will take such further steps as may be necessary to deal with improper practices and "white collar crime". National will continue its vigorous programme of reforming and modernising the commercial law, and in particular will give detailed consideration to all reports of  32  the Contracts and Commercial Law Reform Committee. A Credit Contracts Bill will be introduced and will be passed after consideration by a Select Committee. National will also review the Sale of Goods Act 1908.  Family Law  National strongly believes that the family is the basis of our society. The National Government has taken active steps to preserve and enhance its status under the general co-ordination of the Cabinet Committee on Family Affairs. However, it is recognised that, if a marriage does break up, the law should make it possible for dispute between spouses to be resolved with the minimum of bitterness and acrimony, and that each spouse must be treated equally by the law. The Matrimonial Property Act 1976 provides a rebuttable presumption for the equal sharing of the matrimonial home, family chattels and those other assets acquired after the marriage except where received by inheritance or gift. This Act is new in concept. National will, therefore, closely follow the Courts' decisions and will review the operation of the Act to ensure that injustices do not occur. National has introduced the Family Proceedings Bill to provide new procedures for dealing with matrimonial disputes - with special emphasis on counselling, reconciliation (where possible) and on reaching agreement rather than resolving disputes in Court. Changes are also to be made: * To the maintenance laws, to provide equality between husband and wife; * To the custody and access laws, to ensure that neither spouse is preferred on the grounds of sex, and that the interests of the children remain paramount. National will review the Family Protection Act 1955 and the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949.  Freedom of Information and Individual Privacy National believes that citizens should have reasonable access to information held by the Government, subject to the need to protect both the privacy of the individual and national security. National has, therefore, established a  committee (headed by Sir Alan Danks) to report on: access to Government information, confidentiality, security classifications, individual privacy, and the operation of Section 6 of the Official Secrets Act.  Human Rights Commission  In an important constitutional move, National established the Human Rights Commission:  * To deal with discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, religious or ethical belief, race, colour, and ethnic or national origin in such areas as employment, housing, education and advertising;  * To investigate complaints about the administration of unions and professional and trade associations;  * To exercise functions in relation to privacy.  Because the Act is new, National will keep its operation under close review. Commission offices will be established in those centres where there is sufficient demand.  Privacy  Powers of Entry Without Warrant  National, concerned that over the last 70 years some 150 statutes have given powers of entry into private homes without a warrant, will institute a thorough study with a view to enacting a Powers of Entry into Dwelling Houses Act, to control and limit the future exercise of such powers.  Theft of Computer Information  In 1976 National passed the Wanganui Computer Centre Act, restricting access to information held in the Wanganui Computer system, and providing penalties for unlawful use of that information. Because of the widespread and increasing use of private computers for storing information of all kinds, the Criminal Law Reform Committee has been asked to consider proposals to make it an offence to wrongfully acquire or misuse information stored in computers.  Credit Bureaux  National believes that accurate credit reporting is in the interests both of consumers and the commercial community and will therefore consult with the credit organisations and bureaux to ensure a standard code of practice to enable people to check, and correct, credit information.  Electoral Laws  National recognises the need for a further review of the Electoral Act 1956. A Parliamentary Select Committee will be set up early in 1979 to consider changes to the  electoral laws. Sumissions will be sought from interested organisations and individuals.  Copyright and Patent Laws  National recognises the need to revise the present patent and copyright laws, in light of recent technological developments. National will, therefore, establish a Working Party to examine these laws; and particularly, to make recommendations as to:  * Guidelines for the import and export of technology;  * Changes to New Zealand's industrial property (copyright and patent) laws to encourage technological development and the promotion of the arts;  * A fair system of rewarding employees for their inventions.  Land Transfer System . National recognises that the Land Transfer System is under increasing pressure and will undertake a comprehensive study of the whole system - with a view to amending the Land Transfer Act 1952.  Protection for Purchasers of Motor Vehicles National has asked the Contracts and Commercial Law Reform Committee to report on the desirability of introducing an insurance scheme to protect purchasers of motor vehicles from a seller's fraud.  LAW & ORDER  Police  Philosophy  National has given full support to the police in their endeavours to maintain law and order. National will continue to support the police and to give them the means in men and equipment to do the job of ensuring our streets are safe to walk in.  Manpower  In the last three years National has improved the police: population ratio from 1:727 to 1:655. National will continue to pay close attention to the manpower needs of the police in relation to the tasks and demands made on them.  Drugs  Under National the police have given priority to the detection of offences involving drugs. National will continue to provide the police with the legislative and financial support needed to enable them to effectively control the abuse of drugs.  Anti-Terrorism  National will ensure that the police are provided with the resources necessary to counter any act of terrorism that may occur throughout New Zealand. Accordingly, National will continue to fully support the Hostage  Negotiation Teams, Anti-Terrorist Squad, and Diplomatic Protection Squad, established by this Government.  Crime Prevention  National will continue to fully support the crime prevention activities being carried out by the police which have been effective in reducing the opportunity for criminals to commit offences.  Community Liaison Officers  National recognises the effectiveness of the work done by Community Liaison Officers in combating local crime problems and will fully support the establishment of additional offices.  Youth Aid  National will continue to fully support the police in the carrying out of youth aid activities, with particular reference to:  * The identification of children and young persons at risk and the initiating of activities to support them.  * Initiating activities on the part of other agencies to rehabilitate young offenders;  * Assisting the Department of Education in providing children and young persons with an understanding of the law with special emphasis on the role of the police service. National regards police involvement in law related education in the schools as a particularly important method of crime prevention. National will continue to encourage the police to actively participate in community based organisations after the manner of their successful involvement with Boystown in Auckland and the Downtown "Y" in Napier.  Equipment  National will continue to ensure that the police are provided with the up-to-date equipment necessary for efficient law enforcement. National will complete the programme begun during the period of this Government to place a departmental motor vehicle at every Police Station in New Zealand by 1980. National will also keep under review the need to provide the police with mobile communications equipment in order to improve their system of communications.  Buildings  National will continue to upgrade or replace Police Stations, as necessary, with particular attention being given to those areas where the facilities have been placed under considerable pressure because of population growth.  Legislation  During the period of this Government, National has passed several laws which have assisted the police to maintain law and order:  * The Courts have been given the power to order the confiscation of a vehicle used in the commission of an offence punishable by more than one year's imprisonment.  * Legislation has been passed giving the police power to search people for offensive weapons, in public places, without a warrant.  * The Arms Amendment Act tightened the law relating to firearms, and extended penal provisions to the unlawful use of imitation firearms.  National will continue to provide the police with the legislative support that is required, including a further clarification of the Police Offences Act.  Co-operation with Voluntary Agencies  National will continue to fully support voluntary agencies and service organisations in their efforts to prevent crime through public education.  Violent Offending  National has recognised the problem of violent offending and gang violence in New Zealand society by taking a number of steps to meet this situation. National has passed new laws:  * To allow the confiscation of vehicles used in the commission of an offence punishable by more than one year's imprisonment.  * To cover potentially violent conduct on private property.  * To forbid the publication of documents explaining how to make explosive or incendiary devices.  * To permit policemen to search people for offensive weapons.  National has introduced the Detached Youth Worker Scheme as a positive way to assist youth gangs, particularly Maori and Polynesian gangs. The Detached Youth Workers work closely with these gangs, in a non-structured way, and encourage them to channel their activities into positive outlets. Through the activities of the Detached Youth Workers a number of worker co-operatives have been established with gang members working together in co-operative ventures. National has encouraged the N.Z. Maori Council to take a positive interest in the activities of Maori gangs and welcomes the positive response of the N.Z. Maori Council in this regard. National will continue the scheme whereby community housing is made available to local bodies and welfare organisations for special purpose use; for example, to provide a focal point for young persons who may otherwise drift into delinquent activities. National has also taken the initiative in setting up a Select Committee on Violent Offending. This Select Committee has met regularly during 1978 and has given close study to the incidence of violent offending. The Committee has so far received 142 submissions and has heard 82 of these submissions. In its interim report to Parliament the Select Committee noted that the main areas of concern to have emerged were: violence on television, domestic violence, the abuse of alcohol and drugs, the influence of the home environment, the role of the education system, the relevance of capital and corporal punishment, the adequacy of sentences and alternatives to the present sentencing system, and the protection of victims of violent offences. The Select Committee will continue to sit during the Parliamentary recess and will make its final recommendations to Parliament during 1979. National will give very careful and sympathetic consideration to such recommendations as the Select Committee may make and will introduce legislation and take such other action as is necessary to meet this problem within our society.  Misuse of Drugs  The National Government, in recognition of the problem of the misuse of drugs in our society, set up a Caucus Committee to examine on a broad base the measures  which the Government should take to combat this problem. Consequent on their recommendations the National Government has:  * Increased the maximum terms of imprisonment for dealing in "hard" drugs.  * Granted the Courts power to exclude parole for specified periods.  * Extended the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court so that those dealing with "hard" drugs are liable to higher monetary penalties.  * Given the Courts power to impose a fine (in addition to imprisonment) equivalent to the value of a convicted drug dealer's property which the Court believes has been acquired through drug dealing.  * Legislated to permit the police to use electronic surveillance (under limited warrants issued by the Supreme Court) for the purpose of obtaining further evidence against anyone suspected of dealing in "hard" drugs.  * Restricted to the Supreme Court the power to grant bail to persons charged with a drug dealing offence.  * Given the police wider powers to arrest a person charged with a drug offence where that person absconds while on bail. The National Government has ensured that those dealing in controlled drugs, with particular emphasis on "hard" drugs, have been subject to the most vigorous detection and enforcement activities of the law enforcement agencies and has:  * Approved extra staff (totalling 56) and equipment for  the drug law enforcement activities of the Police  Department.  * Approved extra staff (totalling 81) and equipment  (including x-ray machines for mail screening, launches  for coastal interception and night vision equipment) and  extra drug detection dogs for the drug law enforcement  activities of the Customs Department.  * Extended the system for personal searching and  detention of suspected drug smugglers by Customs  Officers. Recognising the need to combat drug abuse on a broad front and at all levels, the National Government has ensured assessment of education programmes, and treatment and rehabilitation services and facilities.  To ensure that the impetus created in these fields is sustained, National will:  Set up a Drugs Advisory Committee responsible to the Minister of Health, whose functions will include:  - advising the Government of treatment and rehabilitation services available in the community, encouraging their development and advising the Government of assistance required;  -ensuring the integration and continued development of these facilities and services as part of the community health programme, with emphasis on training of suitable personnel;  -ensuring the integration and continued development of education programmes;  -encouraging voluntary agencies to arrange seminars, teach-ins and courses on drug related subjects;  - providing parents in particular with a simple factual source of information about drugs.  Give assistance to therapeutic communities involved in rehabilitation of drug addicts and approved voluntary organisations involved in drug education.  Road Safety  National considers that New Zealand's road safety record leaves much to be desired. Accordingly, it has recently implemented stricter legislation relating to traffic offences, particularly those involving alcohol and drug related offences. These measures cover the introduction of evidential breath tests, more severe penalties for those convicted of serious offences, and greater restrictions on the issuing of limited licences. National will carefully monitor the effect of these measures and will complement them with a programme aimed at improving the attitudes of all road users. The programme will be based on an intensive study into the following areas:  * The high accident rate among the younger and immature drivers in the 15 to 24 year old age group. * Driving test procedures, with a view to improving the standards of skill and responsibility of new drivers. * The introduction of a probationary licence system which can be extended for varying periods if driving offences are committed. * More intensive road safety education, especially in both primary and secondary schools, through the media, and the work place. The Road Safety Research Council and the Road Safety Select Committee have made recommendations regarding the use of seat belts. National will carefully review these findings with a view to their implementation. National will review the functions of our traffic officers with a view to reducing their administrative duties in order that they can spend more time on the road.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT  National believes in strong effective local government. National will ensure that decisions affecting local communities are taken by local authorities which are directly responsible to these communities.  United and Regional Councils  National believes that united and regional councils, based on a system of strong and effective territorial local authorities, should be the basis for decentralisation from central government; placing decision-making closer to the people. National has reconstituted the Local Government Commission to ensure that the views of those in the regions are taken fully into account in the determination of regional boundaries. Territorial local authorities will be encouraged to proceed with the formation of united  and regional councils.  The prime responsibilities of the united and regional councils will be regional planning and civil defence.  Regional Planning and Development  National, having passed the Town and Country Planning Act in 1977, will encourage and assist united and regional councils in the preparation of regional plans. The territorial local authorities will retain their present responsibilities in respect of planning. Regional development councils will continue in existence following the establishment of united and regional councils and the functions of these councils will complement the broader functions of the united and regional councils.  Civil Defence  National will continue to strongly encourage community and local authority participation in civil defence. The present dollar for dollar subsidy for civil defence will continue to be paid to local authorities.  Ad Hoc Authorities  National will continue to maintain the right of ad hoc authorities such as: Harbour, Hospital, Electricity, River, Catchment, Drainage and Pest Destruction Boards to remain fully autonomous and free from compulsory amalgamation.  Finance  National will discuss the various roles of regional and local government, and the availability of finance to carry out those roles effectively, with the Territorial Local Government Council. In particular, reference will be made to the recommendations of the Committee on Local Government Finance.  The local authorities petroleum tax will be reviewed, as economic circumstances permit, with the possibility of increasing the local authority share of revenue from this source.  National will continue to distribute one-fifth (and in the case of national endowment land one-tenth) of net revenue from the sale of indigenous timber, to local authorities.  Subsidies  National will review the existing subsidies on sewerage and water supply works, with a view to increasing the subsidies available, to enable local authorities to introduce modern and efficient ways of dealing with sewerage and refuse disposal.  National will continue to pay subsidies towards the cost of establishing rural electricity distribution. The existing liaison between local authorities, power boards, and the Rural Electricity Reticulation Council will be maintained with respect to National's overall energy policy.  National will continue to provide finance, on a dollar for dollar basis through the Rural Water Supply Scheme, towards the cost of piped water to rural areas.  National will continue to subsidise local authorities, through the National Roads Board, for roading paid for out of local authority funds.  National will continue to encourage local authorities to  provide own-your-own units to the occupants of under-utilised homes. Bridging loan finance will continue to be available to local authorities for this purpose. During the term of this Government more pensioner houses have been built than ever before. National will continue to provide loan finance and subsidies to local authorities for the further establishment of pensioner housing. National will increase the incentives for local authorities to prepare Urban Renewal Schemes. National will continue to provide financial assistance to local authorities for the provision of child day care centres and children's homes. National, having introduced the very successful Local Authorities/Communities Organisation Employment Scheme, will continue to provide subsidies to local authorities for approved employment schemes as appropriate. With local authorities becoming more involved in the provision of social services, it is important that the respective roles of central government, local government and the voluntary agencies be clearly defined. National will continue to provide grants to local government and voluntary agencies to assist in the provision of social services.  Rates  National will:  * Increase the tax rebate on rates as economic circumstances allow;  * Undertake a complete review of the Rating Act, including differential rating, and taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Forum on Rating;  * Continue the payment of grants to local authorities in lieu of rates on Government properties, and will from time to time review the extent of such grants to ensure they are fair and reasonable.  General  National will complete the consolidation of the Counties and Municipal Corporations Acts into one Local Government Act. National will examine the possibility of implementing common enrolment procedures for both Parliamentary and local elections. A supplementary roll would be prepared for non-resident ratepayers.  MANUFACTURING  Philosophy  National believes that accelerated development of manufacturing industries is vital to the overall well-being of our country. This development will emphasise the expansion of exports and efficient import substitution. National plans to achieve this development by encouraging competitive private enterprise and will provide the incentive for all individual and corporate manufacturers to respond favourably to long-term economic and social objectives.  Strategy for Manufacturing Development  National will develop and implement a comprehensive long-term growth strategy for manufacturing in consultation with the New Zealand Planning Council, the Manufacturing Development Council and the New. Zealand Manufacturers' Federation.  This strategy will be based on the following factors:  * That New Zealand's future prosperity requires a rapid and sustained expansion of manufactured exports and continued encouragement of efficient import substitution;  * That a dynamic manufacturing sector is of prime importance in increasing investment and employment opportunities and is a key element in wide ranging regional development;  * That a strong domestic market is generally essential for the successful establishment and expansion of export markets and the maintenance of efficient import substitution industries and requires stable protection policies;  * That effective support services will be required to assist in achieving the more rapid expansion required of the sector, e.g. finance, technical research and development, export promotion and vocational training. ,National has reconstituted the Manufacturing Development Council. It will monitor progress under the strategy and advise from time to time on further measures considered necessary to strengthen the manufacturing sector.  Protection Policies  National will:  * Continue to use both import licensing and the tariff as the means of maintaining a strong and stable domestic market for export and efficient import substitution industries;  * Maintain the Industries Development Commission as an advisory body on the basic growth strategy for New Zealand industry;  * Continue its policy of incorporating the Emergency Protection Authority as an independent section of the LD.C. to meet circumstances where urgent protective action is required;  * Implement the anti-dumping provisions of the Customs Act in the interests of New Zealand manufacturers and producers.  Development Policies and Services Investment National will:  * Promote policies which will increase the level of investment of the manufacturing sector to that needed to achieve accelerated development;  * Continue to welcome overseas investment where it will make a positive contribution to economic growth and export expansion.  Price Control  National will undertake, early in 1979, a full reappraisal of the Control of Prices Regulations 1974 with the aim of stimulating enterprise and a competitive market. As  economic circumstances warrant, price controls will be removed from goods in plentiful supply and subject to competition. Monopoly, near monopoly and Government subsidised goods will continue to be subject to strict price control under the Commerce Act.  Technology  National will:  * Increase its support for research and development activities, within individual private firms, research departments, associations and universities with emphasis being directed to the application of science to industry;  * Promote the development jointly by industry and the scientific sector of an agreed science plan;  * Encourage improved quality standards and testing facilities.  Government Purchasing:  National will:  * Institute an expanded programme of contracts for product development with New Zealand industry, supporting these with preproduction orders;  * Establish procedures for a much closer liaison between Government purchasing departments and New Zealand industry;  * Require departments to draw up purchasing specifications in performance terms, and to determine the best means of meeting these requirements within the capabilities of New Zealand industry;  * Require departments issuing mandatory specifications for items of equipment to consult with industry on the nature of the specifications so as to enable purchase of New Zealand products wherever possible;  * Encourage stability in budgeting appropriations to purchasing departments in order to ensure reasonable continuity in purchasing from New Zealand producers;  * Require departments to issue forward programmes to enable the above policies to be effectively carried out. National will also examine ways and means of implementing similar procedures in the purchasing of equipment and supplies by Local Authorities and Government Institutions.  Government Sector Services  National will:  * Continue to support and expand the services of funded agencies including: - The Small Business Agency - The Development Finance Corporation - The Export Guarantee Office - The Productivity and Technology Division of D.T.I. - The Industrial Design Association - The Standards Association of New Zealand - The Research and Development Programme of D. S.LR.  * Continue to support and consult the New Zealand Planning Council, its sector Councils and the Commission for the Future.  MAORI AFFAIRS  National believes that a Maori Affairs policy should promote Maori culture in its widest sense and should contribute to the unity of New Zealand society. National will give added help, where needed, to ensure that Maori people share equal social and economic opportunities -this will encourage tolerance and respect between all citizens and a common understanding and a sense of national purpose.  The Treaty of Waitangi  * National will continue to provide that New Zealand laws are regularly examined to ensure that they embody the spirit and the obligations contained in the Treaty of Waitangi.  * February the 6th will continue to be Waitangi Day as a lasting commemoration of the Treaty on which New Zealand's mufti-cultural society is founded.  Land  In the Town and Country Planning Act 1977, National has provided:  * For the Maori people to be represented on Regional Planning Committees;  * That regard shall be had for the fact that the relationship of the Maori people and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land is a matter of national importance;  * That marae, urupa reserves, pa and other traditional and cultural Maori uses of land be provided for on both a regional and local basis.  All public works (other than those of national importance) involving use of Maori land will be publicly designated under the Town and Country Planning Act prior to any further action being taken under the Public Works Act. This will provide better and simpler procedures for objection and appeal to the Town and Country Planning Tribunal which will be empowered to inquire into and consider possible alternatives.  All designations of Maori land for a public work will be publicly reviewed every 5 years as part of the Town and Country Planning Act procedures when those affected will have full rights of objection and appeal.  Where rural Maori land is designated for any public purpose and that designation unduly affects the further utilisation or development of that land for farming purposes, then the designating authority will be required to either acquire that land at current market value, or compensate for the loss of value, or uplift the designation.  Research officers will be appointed to each Maori Land Committee where appropriate to ensure that Maori owners are fully informed of their rights when planning provisions affect their land. The role of the Maori Land Committee will be extended to consider any land matter, and thus will be better placed to advise the Government on any land issue.  National will take urgent steps to resolve outstanding compensation claims for the taking of Maori lands so as to remove those obstacles to good Maori/Pakeha  relations. In addition, National will provide in the revised Public Works Act that:  38  * When Maori land is taken for a public work, wherever possible comparable land will be made available;  * Maori land compulsorily acquired for a public work and no longer needed for that or for any other work for which compulsory acquisition power may be used, will where practicable, be offered at current market value to those from whom the land was taken.  The main recommendations of the Meta Kingi report on "Farming of Maori Leasehold Land" will be implemented by the Maori Land Board after full discussion with the land owners.  Rural Development and Reconstruction  With its economic as well as cultural significance, Maori land will be developed for farming and forestry. National will continue to support labour intensive rural industries, horticulture and craft occupations to provide income and employment for the rural Maori. The Maori people's special knowledge of fishing will be used to establish fishing industries where practical. National will continue to promote and expand Marae Enterprises.  The lessons learnt from the Tuhoe Land Utilisation investigation will be expanded to review the better utilisation of all tribal land where this is necessary.  Finance  The Rural Bank and other Government agencies will be required to join with the Maori Trustee and the Maori Affairs Department:  * To assist Maori owners to keep land in Maori ownership (registerable leases);  * To encourage Maori land development for farming, forestry, industry and commercial purposes, particularly for Maori Incorporations, registerable leases and other tenures as approved from time to time;  * To make finance available to purchase land to encourage economic farming by Maori farmers in all areas;  * The finance made available to farmers who wish to purchase or build a house in a village, as an alternative to building on the farm, will be available in a recognised papakainga where the Maori farmer has an individual title and adequate security.  * To investigate means of financing tourist and recreational development where owners of Maori land see this is a desirable means of land use.  The Maori Affairs Department will be instructed to explore the changes required in Maori ownership of land needed to encourage traditional finance lenders to lend on economic ventures on Maori land.  Administration  * National has set up a Royal Commission to inquire into the operation of the Maori Land Court so that Maori land owners will have a greater opportunity to manage their own land and make their own decisions.  * National will continue to recruit, train and ensure employment for Maori men and women in all Government Departments. In particular, the Department of Maori Affairs will recruit trainees directly from secondary school who have already shown leadership skills and qualities. These trainees will be given opportunity for university study or other options, where relevant, and they would be transferred to other Government Departments where their expertise is required.  Business and the Professions  In view of the expansion of business and the professions in New Zealand and the wish for Maori participation in these, National will continue to provide assistance for Maori people to establish their own enterprises on an individual or co-operative basis. Special loan facilities are made available through the Maori Trustees for this purpose.  Mutual Respect  To encourage mutual respect and understanding for Maori and European cultures in New Zealand, National will extend opportunities for the understanding and acceptance of different cultural values by:  * Assisting with seminars and public discussions aimed at improving mutual understanding;  * Encouraging the use of Maori marae wherever possible to extend a wider knowledge of Maori tradition;  * Developing a greater appreciation of the Maori language and traditions in schools;  * Promoting the use of Maori art motifs on public buildings, New Zealand publicity, stamps, etc.;  * Providing higher grants, loans and subsidies for the establishment of urban marae and the preservation, expansion and upgrading of traditional marae to meet changing requirements. Support for Maori Arts  National will continue to support and encourage the Maori Purposes Fund Board, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Rotorua and the Polynesian Festival in the promotion of traditional Maori art forms.  To further assist in the promotion and encouragement of Maori and South Pacific arts, National has established a Council for this purpose. This Council will continue to be funded, through the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, at a lever that will positively promote Maori participation in the various art forms.  Education  The unique contribution that Maori people, their distinctive customs, traditions, value systems and general cultural background have to offer is an integral part of the New Zealand society. Special assistance and encouragement will be given to those students who wish to cultivate and preserve these essential features: National will: * Promote and support Tu Tangeta programmes;  * Continue to encourage the teaching of Maori language throughout the school system;  * Continue to support the Maori Education Foundation with emphasis on the under-privileged;  * Encourage the development of pre-school centres;  * Encourage the involvement of Maori parents in all facets of their children's education;  * Ensure that Maori students are not disadvantaged through lack of study facilities or boarding establishment;  * Increase the number of technical and trade training courses for Maori students;  * Make strenuous efforts to satisfy the demand for employment opportunities for young Maoris;  * Encourage the further development of second language teaching techniques;  * Place emphasis during the preparation of teachers, for multicultural studies to be accepted as personal enrichment programmes requiring a sympathetic and sensitive approach. Urban Challenge  National recognises that Maori people are in full pursuit of a modern westernised way of life moulded to suit their own character. At the same time there is a strong desire to promote Maoritanga as a way of enriching the life-style of Maori people. National will:  * Continue to give financial support for the development of urban marae and community centres.  * Support the Maori community, particularly in the areas concerning the young Maori where there appears to be a degree of disillusionment towards the value of education and higher job aspirations. National recognises the importance of the work done by Maori elders, wardens, social workers and community leaders.  * Recruit and train additional community officers and encourage voluntary groups to assist Maori offenders involved in judicial proceedings who have language or understanding problems.  * Recognises the need for positive and creative concentration on Maori youth and Maori community development, especially in the fields of: - Family - Social, economic and health programmes - Vocational and business opportunities - Organisation and community training programmes - Recreation - Regional and local body services for the Maori. Housing  * National will continue to make loans available, through the Maori Affairs Department, to assist Maori families to purchase homes. Increased emphasis will be given to lending for the purchase of existing homes.  * Home improvement loans will continue, to be available for additions and alterations to homes to provide the additional accommodation required for growing families and where elderly parents live with their families.  * National will encourage County Councils to permit the establishment of Maori houses in rural areas where land is of cultural, ancestral or historical significance and on land close to areas being utilised for intensive horticulture, agricultural business or forestry, to assist the Maori to remain in rural areas when desired.  * Subsidies will be available to local authorities for building Maori pensioner flats on or adjacent to urban or rural marae. Parliamentary Representation  * National affirms that the four present Maori seats provide an essential Maori presence in Parliament.  * National affirms that when the Maori people signify they no longer desire separate representation there should be a single electoral roll.  * National will continue to encourage Maori men and women to seek selection as Parliamentary candidates in electorates of their choosing.  NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT  National believes that national planning is essential if New Zealand is to play its part in the modern world of constant technological and social change.  National has given a new emphasis to national planning with the establishment of the N.Z. Planning Council to advise the Government on planning for social, economic, regional and cultural development in New Zealand.  To complement the Planning Council, National has also established the Commission for the Future to study and publicise long-term policy options. In effect the Planning Council is concerned with the tangible future that we can plan for - up to about five years ahead - while the Commission for the Future is seeking to identify New Zealand's policy options over a 25 year span.  National, in establishing these bodies, is able to draw on a large pool of experience and ideas right throughout the country. At the same time, these bodies can also study important social and regional problems that have previously been beyond the scope of the existing planning organisations.  Ministerial Responsibility  National will continue to have a Minister of National Development with full Cabinet status, who will be an ex-officio member of the Planning Council thus providing a link between the Council and Cabinet. National will ensure that the Planning Council and the Commission for the Future have adequate secretarial and research facilities to enable them to carry out their functions.  Planning Council  The Planning Council has responded in positive fashion to the task which it has been given and is now focussing on four broad areas:  * Economic Affairs  * Population studies  * Social and cultural development  * Regional planning and development With the phasing out of the Monetary and Economic Council, an Economic Monitoring Unit has been established within the Planning Council. National will ensure that the Planning Council continues progress already made towards more effective, consultative planning for New Zealand's future. To this end National will:  * Further implement improvements in the Government's own procedures for determining priorities and for forward planning of its own expenditure and use of  40  manpower, leading to the publication of forward estimates which will assist planning for development in other sectors.  * Develop a constructive partnership with local and regional authorities designed to enable people to participate more effectively in planning for the development of the regions in which they live.  * Strengthen the present system of consultation between Government, private organisations and people about prospects and policies for development, with the Planning Council as a focal point for the consultation, and aiming at the adoption by Government of guidelines for development policy which will promote stable economic expansion and social, cultural and environmental improvement.  * Fully investigate the implications of population, employment and migration; so that planning strategies can be devised to deal with adverse social and economic consequences resulting from changes in these three areas.  Commission for the Future  National will continue to support, and participate in the work of the Commission for the Future. National will regularly review and where necessary expand the Commission's areas of study. At present there are ten of these which include: 1. New Zealand in world society 2. Economic growth 3. Technological development 4. Distribution of wealth 5. Population 6. Distribution of functions and powers in New Zealand 7. The individual in society 8. Human relationships  9. Natural resources 10. Energy The Commission, because it is not constrained by the policies of the Government of the day, will be left with the maximum possible freedom of movement. National will require the Commission to initiate public discussion on its reports, once it has fully developed the research side of its work.  National Planning and Regional Planning  National will continue to give high priority to regional planning, and will ensure that a cohesive relationship and administrative framework exists so that regional and national planning objectives can be co-ordinated.  OVERSEAS TRADE  National recognises that the expansion of overseas trade, the diversifying of our export markets and the increasing of our export products are essential for our survival and prosperity. Under National, overseas trade policies will be pursued in such a manner as will promote and be compatible with New Zealand's long-term economic and social objectives including its agriculture and manufacturing growth strategies. We reaffirm that trading is the job of private enterprise and the Producer Boards and not the Government. The proper function of the Government is one of co-operation in the development of trade by providing the services and the incentives which can assist the Producer Boards and private traders in locating new markets and new customers and in general trade promotion.  04ational reaffirms the principle that New Zealand should trade on a commercial basis, buying and selling in the markets which give the best return without regard to political or ideological considerations, and on these terms will trade with any country round the world.  Markets  * National will continue to give strong emphasis to maintaining access to the E.E.C. for both dairy products and meat at reasonable and remunerative prices.  * National will build on the close relationship established with Australia to further expand trade across the Taxman under NAFTA and support the activities of the Australia New Zealand Businessmen's Council to this end.  * National will build on the firm relationship established with the countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further extend our economic and commercial interests and the promotion of two-way trade.  * National will continue to give special attention: - to improving access for our exports to the United States, Canada and Japan; all highly developed consumer markets.  - to further development of markets in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and North Asia.  - to expanding the markets in South and Central America and the Caribbean.  - to fostering the trade with other Pacific countries and supporting the efforts of private enterprise through the Pacific Basin Economic Council and other associations of business interests.  International Trade Policy  National has demonstrated its concern about the agricultural protectionism of the industrialised nations by forcefully advocating the lowering of trade barriers which inhibit our trade in agricultural products.  One of the most important advances has been New Zealand's success in having the 1977 and 1978 Ministerial meetings of the O.E.C.D. recognise the need for positive  adjustment policies in agriculture as well as in industry.  National will continue to co-operate with other countries  in international forums -the G.A.T.T., O:E.C.D., U.N.C.T.A.D., LM.F., and World Bank-in seeking to expand trading opportunities through the world by:  * liberalising international trade;  * supporting the objectives of multilateral trade;  * taking and supporting initiatives designed to lower trade barriers which inhibit our trade, particularly in agricultural products;  * promoting and participating in international commodity agreements for temperate zone and other agricultural products;  * providing special assistance measures for developing countries.  Incentives  * National will continue to provide incentives designed to promote the expansion of manufactured exports, giving particular emphasis to incentives that: - provide positive and attainable rewards.  - are simple and capable of self determination by the exporters - possess a permanency which provides the confidence needed for investment and long-term production planning for export.  * National will continue the current export incentives until 1983, subject to discussions with the manufacturers as to alternatives, including proposals for a new form of incentives based on net foreign exchange earnings.  * Where import or tariff controls exist, National will facilitate the importing of raw materials, plant, machinery and equipment for industries active in exporting.  * Export Year has aroused the interest and good will of all groups in the economy in the vital importance of exports. This dynamic approach will be continued.  * National will keep the High Priority Scheme under review to introduce more flexibility and so provide further incentives for proven high performance exporters.  * National will continue to further develop special facilities whereby manufacturing exporters receive high priority for both short-term and long-term finance.  Trade Services and Promotion  National will take every opportunity to advance New Zealand's trading prospects abroad and in particular will:  * Ensure that the services available to exporters through the Department of Trade and Industry are as efficient and helpful as possible.  * Maintain the Trade Promotion Council for top level co-operation between the Minister of Overseas Trade and Government on the one hand and the Producer Boards and private enterprise trading and servicing interests on the other.  * Further expand overseas trade representation with well trained and commercially oriented staff, and open up new trade posts in countries where worthwhile export opportunities can be developed.  * Participate in trade fairs and international exhibitions where New Zealand's trade can be effectively promoted.  * Promote and support overseas trade missions and Export Opportunity teams in consultation with the Trade Promotion Council, the Producer Boards and the Manufacturers' Federation.  * Undertake trade surveys of potential new markets using where appropriate a team composed of both Trade Commissioners and specially qualified persons from private enterprise.  * Expand and develop the system of export seminars backed up by information services to equip New Zealand exporters with the most up-to-date knowledge of markets and marketing and to share experience in exporting.  * Maintain a close association between the Government and exporters through export liaison officers so that the  services available become widely known and fully utilised. Export of Services and Expertise  National, recognising the valuable contribution made by private organisations and consultants through the export of services, will:  * Make available to private organisations information on opportunities for New Zealand involvement in overseas projects.  * Assist the private sector to negotiate with overseas governments or organisations for the carrying out of overseas development projects.  * Assist the private sector to carry out overseas development projects by making available to them the special expertise available within the Government sector, including the secondment of personnel.  * Work with the private sector in the establishment of facilities overseas to support the New Zealand export drive as has been achieved in Bahrain.  POST OFFICE  * National views the Post Office as a trading department which must run profitably, generating a substantial proportion of its capital needs from its own resources.  * National believes that Post Office trading activities should not be propped up by subsidies from the Consolidated Fund which burden the taxpayer and artificially stimulate pressure on limited resources.  * Emphasis should be on a user-pay approach, and as far as possible resources will be allocated on a demand-oriented basis. There will continue, however, to be less profitable services that must be maintained for social reasons.  * National will continue to ensure that efficient services are provided to all New Zealand citizens using the most up-to-date facilities in the 1300 Post Offices throughout New Zealand.  * National will continue to promote an efficient and speedy mail service, introducing new services to meet demand.  * The Post Office will exploit the latest telecommunications technology, such as electronic  42  exchange systems and computer facilities, to minimise costs and provide an increasing range of customer services as the need arises. Priority will be given to the further reduction of telephone waiting lists, and the conversion of overloaded manual exchanges to automatic service. The Post Office, through working closely with the Communications Advisory Council, will remain responsible for technical control of all telecommunications in New Zealand.  National will continue to promote the Post Office Savings Bank as a major banking institution, providing it with the resources to attract deposits at a level which ensures healthy growth and the ability to service borrowers in increasing numbers. The range of accounts offered will be widened where new demands can be shown.  National will continue to review regularly the Post Office Savings Bank second mortgage home finance and personal loans schemes to ensure sufficient funds are available at reasonable interest rates to individuals requiring these forms of assistance.  RECREATION &SPORT  Recreational and sporting activities play an important part in the lives of many New Zealanders, both as participants and as administrators. National is very conscious of the tremendous effort which is made by thousands of individuals on a voluntary basis to provide recreational opportunities for others. National will continue to assist New Zealanders to have access to a wide range of recreational activities. National will pursue a flexible recreation and sports programme which will give positive support to recreational and sports organisations. National will not, however, seek to control or direct the activities of our recreational and sporting organisations.  Finance  National will continue the policy of allocating finance each year, through the Recreation and Sport Vote, for recreation, sport and community development.  New Zealand Council for Recreation and Sport  The New Zealand Council for Recreation and Sport will be encouraged in its role of-  *Fostering and promoting the participation in leisure activities by the citizens of New Zealand;  * Providing expert advice to the Minister on matters relating to recreation and sport;  * Investigating developments in recreation and sport and communicating this knowledge to recreational and sporting organisations.  Community Development  National's community development policy has as its basic aim the encouragement of local communities to recognise and utilise the resources to be found within ach community. National will:  * Give increased attention to the needs of new communities which are weak in financial resources and leadership;  * Provide appropriate financial assistance to rural communities to enable them to sustain community services and facilities;  * Continue to encourage overseas tours by New Zealand national representative teams, within the spirit of the Gleneagles Agreement;  * Continue to sponsor teachers, coaches and others actively involved in community recreation;  * Continue to encourage the appointment of community recreation advisors by local authorities;  * Continue to encourage the development, and guarantee the autonomy of regional recreational associations throughout the country;  * Increase the level of support for community development projects, particularly multiple or dual purpose facilities that can be used by the whole community.  The Local Recreation and Community Development Scheme Under this scheme funds are allocated each year on a per capita population basis to all territorial local authorities. The local authorities are responsible for the distribution of these funds for local recreation or community development activities. National will increase the funding of this scheme to a minimum of $1 per head of local population.  The National Projects Scheme  This scheme is designed to assist national recreational organisations undertaking or administering leisure activities and pastimes which provide relaxation and enjoyment. National will continue to provide grants under this scheme to national recreation and sporting associations for training, competition, administration and equipment.  The Community Facilities at School Scheme Under this scheme, the Minister of Recreation and Sport makes subsidies available to encourage the development and wider use of community facilities based at schools. National strongly supports this concept and will continue to positively encourage the greater use of school facilities by the general public.  The Youth Initiatives Fund  This fund has been set up by National to give financial help to projects carried out by young people. Projects undertaken are social, cultural or recreational in nature and include projects which create work opportunities. National will continue to support this fund.  The Detached Youth Worker Funding Scheme The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate the employment of detached youth workers by non-governmental organisations and local authorities. The detached youth workers work with groups of young people whose needs are not being adequately met by existing programmes and services. National will continue to promote and finance this scheme.  Community Facilities Fund  This scheme has been introduced by National to provide assistance by way of subsidies or loans for regional and community recreational facilities. The New Zealand Lottery Board is to provide $700,000 for this purpose. While the programme will be administered by the Ministry of Recreation and Sport, an advisory committee comprising representatives of the New Zealand Lottery Board and the Counties and Municipal Associations will make its recommendations to the Minister.  New Zealand Sports Foundation National will join with the private sector in giving increased support to athletes of international standard in all recognised New Zealand sports. National welcomes the establishment of a New Zealand Sports Foundation to provide assistance to outstanding New Zealand sports men and women, thus giving them the opportunity to develop their full potential in international competition.  International Sport  The right to engage in international sport is a fundamental freedom of New Zealanders.  New Zealand adheres to the Gleneagles Agreement and will continue to observe it. Decisions on international sporting contacts will continue to be made by the sporting bodies concerned and not by the Government. A National Government will not refuse passports to New Zealanders travelling abroad for sporting purposes and will not refuse visas to visitors coming to New Zealand for sporting purposes.  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT  National believes regional development can best be achieved when local people, privately owned business and central government work together, in partnership, to develop the resources of each region. National believes regional development must be dynamic and based on the resources with which any region is endowed. These include its water, land, forestry, fishing, tourism and energy; its manufacturing and processing industries; and the skills and expertise of the people of the region. In each region local initiatives and the activities of private enterprise will provide the major drive for development. National believes it is the role of central government to encourage and support local initiatives rather than to become directly involved in the business decisions of individual enterprise. The people in the regions are better equipped to deal with regional problems than are the agencies of central government. National will continue to provide incentives which aim at increasing the range of investment and employment opportunities in the regions. To co-ordinate regional and national planning, National has established the New Zealand Planning Council; and placed responsibility for this under the new portfolio of National Development. National has also revised the Town and Country planning legislation. Both these moves have opened the Planning process to wider community involvement. In encouraging the full use of the resources of each region, National will continue to ensure that full regard is given to environmental factors.  Minister of Regional Development  On taking office, National appointed a senior Minister to the Regional Development portfolio, and to ensure adequate administrative support for the regional development programme, made the Regional Development Section of the Department of Trade and Industry directly responsible to him.  Regional Planning and Regional Development Councils National will continue to administer the regional development assistance programme, through the Regional Development section of the Department of Trade and Industry as established by the second National Government in 1972. Regional development councils will continue in their present form. The functions of these councils will complement the broader functions of the united or regional councils, established under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977.  * Boundaries for regional development councils will, where possible, be compatible with those of the united or regional councils.  * National will continue to fund secretarial and administrative expenses of regional development councils serving priority areas.  * National will encourage the formation of regional development councils in non-priority areas, but their financing will be the responsibility of the appropriate united or regional council.  * Where appropriate, Government departments and agencies will be asked to publish, on an annual basis, the objectives of their regional operations; that is, their programme for the implementation of national policies on a regional basis.  * All present regional development councils have completed, or are in the process of completing resource surveys. The completion of these projects will be supported, and non-priority areas will also be encouraged to attempt similar projects.  Government Support for Regional Development  National will regularly review the range of incentives available to encourage the development of existing industry and the promotion of new industry and products in priority regions.  At present these include:  * Suspensory Loan Schemes for manufacturing and processing plant and buildings.  * Small Project Assistance Grants.  * Investigation Establishment Grants.  * Pioneer Status Suspensory Loans for new commercial resource development including agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishing, tourism and mining.  * Industry Relocation Grants.  * Transfer costs assistance for key employees.  * Training costs assistance when special training needs exist at the implementation stage of the development.  * Building mortgage finance from the Development Finance Corporation.  * Guarantees or term loans, overdrafts and mortgages from the Development Finance Corporation.  * Special Projects Schemes assistance for projects outside normal regional development criteria and related to significant regional resources.  * Development assistance to enterprises in slow growth areas outside the priority regions.  * Regional Investment Allowances for development outside the Auckland and Wellington metropolitan areas.  National will retain these programmes and in addition will:  * Expand the Suspensory and Pioneer Status Loans Schemes, offer alternative options within the existing criteria and extend the qualification for assistance to include research and development units being established or expanded in priority areas.  * Expand the Special Projects Scheme to make available to industry financial assistance for various purposes where this is likely to provide, maintain or safeguard employment and is of critical importance to the region.  * Introduce a small Grant Assistance Scheme for genuine and productive craft industries with long term prospects of financial viability, and with particular emphasis on these established in rural towns and areas.  * Introduce a selective guarantee scheme to support the early stages of development of significant new product lines, or regional resource development. This scheme would be designed specifically to support projects which would otherwise be deferred or could not achieve commercially acceptable cash flows in the first two years of operation.  * Institute concessional electricity tariffs for the establishment, expansion or retention of industries in the South Island. These concessional tariffs will be available for industries of national or regional importance, in which electricity charges are a significant element in production costs, and will be granted for periods of up to ten years where necessary to ensure the sound establishment or restructuring of the industry.  * Establish a common price in both North and South Islands for bulk quantities of Maui L.P. G. stock. There will be provision for buyers of exceptionally large quantities to negotiate prices even lower than the country-wide common bulk rate.  * Encourage the further use of special summer season electricity charges for approved irrigation pumping in areas designated as multi-purpose water regions.  * Provide study or research grants to the Business Development Centre at Otago University and other institutes for projects designed to develop domestic sources of raw materials for New Zealand industries in substitution for imported raw materials.  * Where practicable and appropriate, Government departmental administration will be located in the regions rather than Wellington.  The Cost of Distribution to Internal/External Markets National recognises that there are two key freight problems for the South Island and for some parts of the North Island, these being locational disadvantages and overall cost efficiency. These problems are being addressed on a broader and more fundamental basis. Progress towards steamlining, efficiency and choice of mode was made in the 1977 Budget with the extension of the road transport limit from 60 to 150 kilometres and in 1978 with the rationalisation of road transport taxation. Transport policy planning will continue to receive priority. The South Island's locational problem received full recognition, for the first time, in 1977 with the introduction of a differential between north-bound and south-bound inter-island ferry freight rates. This differential amounts to an effective 12/2 percent discount in favour of north-bound traffic. The Unit Rate Scheme also affords a measure of relief on an equitable basis to South Island manufacturers servicing the national market. It has the effect of reducing the freight costs resulting from the physical separation of the North and South Islands and assists in retaining industry in the South Island. In further recognition of the problems which freight costs impose for some industries located in the regions, National will ask the New Zealand Planning Council, in conjunction with the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and the Business Development Centre, to give priority to investigating and reporting on the implications for the regions of distribution costs of the domestic market, and the effect of internal distribution costs on the ability of companies to export part of their product range. In the meantime, National will continue and review as necessary: * The Unit Rate Scheme, increasing the present percentage to reflect any regional disadvantages as determined by the Minister of Regional Development following consultation with regional development councils, and extend the scheme to include South / North coastal shipping so that this transport alternative is maintained and strengthened. The cost of this will continue to be met by Vote: Regional Development. * The Cook Strait rail ferry differential. * If any industry of critical regional significance cannot be helped by other means under the regional development programme, freight cost assistance may be made available on such terms and conditions as decided by the Minister of Regional Development following consultation with the appropriate regional development council. National will also establish Regional Transport Advisory Committees in each of the regions so that the local co-ordination of goods between transport modes can be improved. Small Business in the Regions National believes that small firms are a vital element of the free enterprise system. Small businesses have provided much of the thrust, inventiveness and innovation necessary for the development of new products and for expansion in the new markets. Small businesses also provide a wide range of choice for consumers.  45  National, having established the Small Business Agency, will ensure that the agency is able to operate effectively in the regions. Adequate resources will be provided for research, training and development programmes so that the agency can publish material and advise small businesses and the Government as to the forms of financial and technical aid. The agency will be encouraged to develop a close working relationship with regional development councils so adequate financial assistance can be given. Links between the Small Business Agency, the Business Development Centre of Otago University, the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, and regional development councils will be actively promoted and encouraged.  Regional Finance  National will continue to use the Development Finance Corporation and the Rural Banking and Finance Corporation to complement other financial institutions in promoting regional development.  Development Finance Corporation  The Development Finance Corporation's advisory services will continue to be expanded. The development of inventions will be greatly enhanced by the consolidation and expansion of the Applied Technology Programme to the Development Finance Corporation. The transfer of this role from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Corporation has allowed a close working relationship to be developed between the programme and regional development councils. National will also encourage the Development Finance Corporation:  * To continue its successful local and overseas funding policy.  * To continue to promote manufacturing industries to provide exports and efficient import replacement.  * To continue to provide incentives in industrial priority areas such as fishing, transport, meat freezing, tourism, and forestry, with special emphasis being given to industries that are not eligible for Rural Bank assistance.  * To continue to encourage and promote expansion in growth industries such as electronics, plastics, and wine-making.  Rural Banking and Finance Corporation  National has set out to stimulate the agricultural, horticultural and fishing industries as major elements in the pursuit of employment opportunities and economic and social development in the regions, working through the Rural Bank as a source of loan finance for these industries.  National will continue to provide finance through the Rural Bank, for programmes aimed at the further development of the agriculture, horticulture and fishing industries, including rural based industries associated with the processing and packing of primary products.  Rural Resource Development Zones  As a further measure to revitalise underdeveloped rural areas, National will introduce, through the Rural Bank, extended assistance over and above normal Rural Bank lending policies with the aim of promoting the development of resources within specified localities.  To enable the Rural Bank to concentrate its attention on those areas where the need, and the potential, is greatest, this assistance will generally only be available in those areas which are designated Rural Resource Development Zones.  Special measures to be introduced by the Rural Bank for such areas will include:  * Priority for assistance under all existing national policies.  * Co-operating with the Department of Lands and Survey to make finance available to the incoming farmers, immediately on the settlement of development blocks within the zone. The funds paid to Lands and Survey to be retained by that Department for the immediate purchase of other land in zones suitable for development and subsequent settlement of new farmers.  * Assisting private owners who wish to subdivide large holdings into several units suitable for new farms, with the costs of housing, fencing, roading and surveying.  * Granting resettlement loans to good farmers from other districts who wish to sell their fully developed farms and move onto a unit in a Resource Development Zone which is capable of substantial further development. The amount of loan available where one or more mature competent sons are to be involved in the resettlement proposal could be significantly extended.  * Giving special loan terms and margins for settlement, up to 75% of value of land, provided a suitable cash contribution is available.  * Extending normal Rural Bank mortgage terms in a Resource Development Zone, with no principal repayment for an initial period.  * Assistance for service and processing industries, including the fishing industry in such zones.  * Co-operating with Lands and Survey to directly settle two or more young farmers on large privately owned  blocks without the necessity of State purchase and ownership.  Technology  National will continue to encourage close co-ordination between the universities, technical institutes, Industrial Design Council, D.S.LR., National Research Advisory Council, Development Finance Corporation and in particular its Applied Technology Programme, regional development councils, and regional planning committees.  SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY  Scientific and technological advances are part of, and responsible in large measure for, the rapid changes we will experience into the 1980s.  National believes that it must ensure that the application of science be directed primarily to improvement of the conditions of life, and to promoting the fullest utilisation of scientific research in primary and secondary industry, public health, public administration, the conservation of our natural resources, and in every branch of social activity.  To this end, National will undertake an in-depth study of:  * Current and future scientific and technical staff needs;  * The relevance to New Zealand society of current research in all areas of science and technology.  National supports the concept of the science budget with the National Research Advisory Council acting as an advisory body to the Government through a Minister of Science and Technology.  Organisation  A close and effective link will be maintained between Members of Parliament and the members of the Royal Society. Under National new links have been established with scientists working in the agricultural discipline and we will seek to widen these links even further to embrace other scientific associations involved in shaping our future society.  Science Future  Under National the Commission for the Future has been established and charged with a consultative, advisory and informative role. Regular reports from the Commission will keep New Zealanders fully informed of scientific progress in a wide field of interest including the social sciences.  Research Facilities  National will ensure that opportunities and facilities are available in the Universities, Government Departments and laboratories, and in industry, for both fundamental, and applied, scientific and technological research, particularly in new areas likely to be significant to the future development of New Zealand.  Scientific Research  We believe that there are some areas of research which must be given strong support in the national interest, e.g. agricultural, processing and manufacturing, fisheries and social science. Particular emphasis will be placed on new products and processes as a basis for economic growth and diversification.  Agricultural Research  National, recognising the importance of agricultural research to any programme aimed at increasing agricultural and horticultural production, will:  * Continue to provide research support for the agricultural sector through Government agencies and Government supported organisations, with emphasis being given to research into animal production, pests and weed control, hill country development, new crop development and horticulture;  * Fully examine current and likely future scientific and technical staff needs within the Agricultural Research Sections of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the D.S.LR.  * Initiate an evaluation of the Agricultural Advisory Service to isolate those factors which appear to be limiting the adoption by farmers of existing and new research knowledge.  Technology (Manufacturing and Processing) We believe that it is possible for New Zealand to be competitive in almost every area of production if a high standard of relevant technology is encouraged. For this reason we will both support the training of personnel, the maintenance of high standards, and the extension of relevant technologies. National will: * Increase its support for research and development activities within individual private firms, research departments, associations and universities with emphasis being directed to the application of science to industry. * Encourage improved quality standards and testing facilities.  Fisheries Research  The rapid growth of the New Zealand fishing industry requires an increased research effort. This will concentrate on resources assessment, new fish harvesting techniques, processing, handling, and the practical application of this research. To facilitate this development the new Oceanographic Institute and Fisheries Research Laboratory currently under construction at Greta Point in Wellington will operate as the central research facility for the development of the fishing industry.  Social Science Research  With rapidly changing pressures on all sectors of our society much more needs to be known about these pressures and ways to meet the new demands they give rise to. Therefore, National will strengthen the work carried out by social scientists especially in the fields of law and order, social welfare, unemployment, the environment, industrial relations, town planning, and the changing role of women.  Research Co-Operation  National will continue to make the greatest possible use of New Zealand's scientific resources of equipment and manpower by encouraging consultation, co-operation and co-ordination among all bodies involved in scientific research. Encouragement will continue to be given to joint ventures in scientific research and education by Government agencies, universities and industry. Where it is thought necessary we will use the "task force" approach in problems of major concern, thus using a variety of disciplines, to concentrate effort.  Scientific Training  National will give greater attention to providing science programmes that cater for the full range of students' abilities. These will include:  * Further development of resource materials;  * More intensive in-service training of teachers of science;  * A consideration of the provision of trained laboratory technicians for secondary schools;  * Curriculum assistance to groups of secondary teachers wishing to establish certificate courses in science in their area;  * The feasibility of establishing a national post-certificate diploma in applied science to be made available at Technical Institutes throughout New Zealand.  Project Grants  National will continue to provide grants to universities and to industry for research projects of national importance and encourage further research in order that understanding of possible new scientific techniques may  precede immediate areas of demand.  Science Councils  National will support the activities of the science-based councils, the existing research associations, and encourage the formation of new ones to ensure that the continuing high standard of scientific research is maintained, and also that community views and needs are appropriately considered.  International Science  National will continue to encourage an active participation in international science by making funds available through the Royal Society of New Zealand for international symposia to be held in New Zealand on topics of importance both internationally and to New Zealand.  Aid  National will continue to assist developing countries, by making available scientific expertise and experience relevant to the needs of these emerging nations.  SOCIAL WELFARE  The health, happiness and prosperity of our nation is dependent on the social well-being of our people. National believes:  * In the concept of a caring society, in which individuals, voluntary and community based organisations and the agencies of central government all play a part;  * The family is the basic unit of our society and that all social welfare policies should encourage or be compatible with good strong family life;  * New Zealand's welfare programme must be adaptable and must permit innovation and participation by the community;  * Wherever possible, effort should be made to improve our welfare services by a reallocation of resources already in use rather than by increasing the burden on the taxpayer;  * Our social welfare system should encourage and assist beneficiaries to become partially or completely self-supporting as far as they are able.  National believes that there needs to be greater recognition of the two distinct aspects of social welfare, that is:  * The provision of monetary benefits;  * The provision of support services.  Historically, the State has accepted responsibility for the provision of financial assistance to those in need, while the provision of support services has been a shared responsibility between the agencies of central government and the community based organisations.  National has given increased emphasis to the role which  the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services,  48  other voluntary agencies and other community based organisations can play, believing them to be an essential element in the promotion of a caring community.  Monetary Benefits National Superannuation National introduced national superannuation to provide an income that would enable all New Zealanders over the age of 60 to live in dignity and comfort. National superannuation will continue in force as a taxable benefit with payments being adjusted every six months according to movements in wage levels, with married couples receiving 80% of the average ordinary time weekly wage and single people receiving 60% of the married rate. As soon as economic circumstances permit, National will review the portability of national superannuation for eligible New Zealand residents living overseas.  Social Security Benefits  All existing social security benefits will be continued. These benefits are now being reviewed every six months. National will investigate the case for linking all benefits to wage levels, as is now the case with national superannuation, thus ensuring a fair relationship is maintained in the incomes received by those in receipt of benefits as compared to those earning wages.  Domestic Purposes Benefit  The domestic purposes benefit is a good benefit for those solo parents in genuine need who are bringing up children under difficult circumstances. National will, therefore, continue the benefit with regular reviews as to the adequacy of the benefit, ease of administration and the  encouragement of the dignity and independence of the recipient. National, concerned about the rapid growth in numbers receiving the domestic purposes benefit, and with the associated social trends, has introduced a number of positive social measures with the aim of fostering the well being of the family unit. As a result of the measures introduced, the rate of increase a the number of applicants for the benefit has steadily reduced. National believes that in the administration of a domestic purposes benefit the rights and interests of the child should be paramount. The Department of Social Welfare, in partnership with the New Zealand Marriage Guidance Council, is now providing considerably more positive help to those families where the marriage is at risk. National greatly appreciates the willing co-operation in counselling services which it has received from the N.Z. Marriage Guidance Council.  Incentives  National has introduced:  * A new abatement procedure to provide greater incentives for those in receipt of income tested benefits to accept part-time employment;  * An allowance of up to $20 per week for child care costs to be off-set against a solo parent's earnings for calculation of allowable income (with effect from January 1979). National will keep these incentives under review with the aim of providing positive encouragement for beneficiaries to become self-supporting as far as they are able.  Handicapped Childrens' Allowance  National has provided positive recognition of the emotional and financial strain on the family who care for a seriously handicapped child at home by introducing a non-taxable handicapped childrens' allowance of $8 per week paid without means or income test. This benefit will be reviewed from time to time.  Concessions  Telephone, television, rates and other concessions will continue for those categories of income tested beneficiaries currently eligible for these concessions. The source deduction budget service available to national superannuitants to assist them to budget for television licence and telephone rental fees will be continued.  Eligibility for Benefits  National fully recognises the responsibility of the State to pay adequate benefits to those in need. National also recognises the Government's responsibility to the taxpayer to ensure that only those who are entitled to benefits receive them. National will continue to ensure that benefits are not paid to persons who are not eligible to receive them.  Support Services  National believes that in the provision of social welfare services the relative social and economic costs of institutional care as compared with community based services must be taken into account.  Voluntary and Community Based Services National believes a caring community should be  encouraged wherever possible through the stimulation and support of voluntary and community based organisations and activities. National will continue to support voluntary agencies, in recognition of their invaluable contribution in both preventive and rehabilitative work and will encourage the development of additional voluntary agencies where appropriate.  Community Housing  National will continue the scheme whereby community housing is made available to local bodies and welfare organisations for special purpose use.  Voluntary Service Scheme  National will encourage further development of this scheme and others which provide complementary support services to the work of the Department of Social Welfare.  Social Workers  National sees the development of effective social work services as an important process in the reallocation of resources. Effective social work should lessen the need for long-term dependence on benefits and direct financial assistance from the taxpayer.  National will, therefore:  * Strive to encourage professionalism amongst those who undertake social work in the Public Service.  * Examine ways in which publicly employed social workers can enjoy professional growth and increased reward and seniority without leaving specific field or community positions if they do not wish to.  * Aim to achieve adequate levels of case-work supervision by trained case-work supervisors wherever possible.  Social Research  National will continue to stimulate research in the social sciences, will review the adequacy of research facilities in the Department of Social Welfare, and will encourage research by appropriate outside bodies.  The Child  National fully endorses the resolution of the United Nations, declaring 1979 the International Year of the Child. Children are our nation's greatest resource. The quality of tomorrow's world depends on today's children. National recognises the valuable contribution community child care plays. National acknowledges that support is necessary and will therefore, in areas of special need, provide assistance with the acquisition of buildings, initial equipment and administration. The initiative must, however, come from the community. National insists that the highest quality of child care is available. Therefore: * A standardised qualification for operating a day care centre will be introduced;  * The Child Care Regulations 1960, will be revised, to ensure the highest quality of supervision and environment is provided.  Children's Boards/Children's Courts  National will give careful consideration to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Courts as it relates to Children's and Family Courts.  Children in Care  National recognises that a failure in childhood can result in continuing problems for several generations. While broad policy is to prevent family breakdowns before they occur, it is a matter of practical fact that the rapid rise in solo parent families is likely to produce a substantial increase in problem children over the next few years. National will, therefore, review the adequacy of existing services with a view to anticipating these future demands.  Institutional Care of Children  Accepting that institutions often cater for more difficult cases for whom specialised programmes may be necessary, National will encourage innovative moves in the institutional care of children by both State and voluntary agencies. The success of each institution in relation to its objectives should be constantly monitored. National has introduced the concept of independent visiting committees to ensure public involvement with State run institutions and will continue to encourage them in their work.  Fostering  National believes that foster parents represent a valuable social resource and need adequate compensation and backup. National is committed to the belief that fostering should remain basically a non-professional, non-profit,  caring role.  National will continue to support and encourage foster parents and will investigate new programmes aimed at raising the status of fostering in the eyes of the community.  Disabled  National, having already implemented a range of policy measures to assist the disabled, will continue to give close and sympathetic consideration to further desirable measures for the advancement of the disabled. In particular, legislation will be introduced defining the legal rights of the disabled. National recognises that at present there are no comprehensive statistics on the range and needs of the disabled persons living in New Zealand and will ask the Department of Statistics to gather this information as part of the 1981 Census, or earlier if possible. The establishment and development of a national co-ordinating body for the disabled will be encouraged. National believes that those who are disabled should be assisted and encouraged to become self-supporting as far as they are able. National will encourage employers to take a positive approach in providing employment for those who are disabled. National will require the Housing Corporation to take account of disability as one of the criteria of the pointing system for State house eligibility.  SOUTH PACIFIC AFFAIRS  Philosophy  National recognises New Zealand as a Pacific nation with unique relationships and responsibilities in the region. National will therefore:  * Continue to promote the closest co-operation with the independent and self-governing states in the region;  * Further develop New Zealand support for the South Pacific Forum, the South Pacific Commission (S.P.C.) and the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation (S.P.E.C.)  Economic Affairs  National, recognising the importance of economic development to the social progress of the Pacific region will, in consultation with each Island State:  * Assist the Island Governments in the establishment, where feasible, of price stabilisation schemes which assist agricultural producers to maintain a stable income.  * Fully support the concept of a South Pacific Regional Fisheries Organisation as a means of co-ordinating the policies of South Pacific countries.  * Continue to assist Island States to develop their tourist potential where that is seen as a worthwhile objective.  * In view of the impo rtance of communications to small and remote Island States, continue to encourage the development of communications. National will assist the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand in the establishment of an upgraded external radio service serving, in particular, Tonga, Western Samoa, Fiji, Niue and the Cook Islands.  * Continue to fully support the Pacific Forum Shipping Line as a means of facilitating easier movement of exports from the Island States.  * Continue to encourage the setting up of manufacturing, agricultural and horticultural industries in the Islands in accordance with the National Government's Pacific Islands Industrial Development Scheme introduced in 1976. National will consider expanding the scheme to include the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, the New Hebrides, and other South Pacific Forum countries.  * Continue to fully support the activities of the Pacific Affairs Co-ordinating Committee established by the National Government in 1976 to co-ordinate and stimulate the work of all Government Departments which deal with the South Pacific and Pacific Islanders in New Zealand.  Development Assistance  National recognises the South Pacific area as a region  with unique developmental problems and sees New Zealand uniquely placed as a more developed nation that can understand those problems.  National will accordingly:  * Work in world forums, with nations of the Pacific area, to attract and co-ordinate relevant development assistance into the region.  * Ensure that New Zealand continues to allocate a major part of the bilateral component of its aid programme to the South Pacific.  * Keep under review the percentage of total development assistance spent on programme aid as opposed to project aid.  * Wherever possible encourage programmes that are relevant to community life at a village level and make use of New Zealand people and skills.  * Encourage the involvement of New Zealand private and voluntary agencies and of New Zealand service organisations in the Pacific, particularly groups such as V.S.A. on the one hand and local service groups such as Rotary, Lions or Jaycee on the other.  * Continue to assist the developing countries of the region in their plans for social progress through the establishment and extension of health services, water and electricity supplies, and communication facilities.  * Continue to assist in the development of the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors in particular, with the aim of increasing overall economic activity and of reducing the dependence of Pacific Island communities of the importing of basic foodstuffs.  * Consider sponsoring further special programmes which will make worthwhile progress with the unique South Pacific development problems created by the critical relationship between land and population in Island communities of limited size and resources.  Migration  National will continue to provide assistance to South Pacific nations through the provision of work permit schemes for unskilled workers, and permanent migration schemes as agreed on from time to time and will fully recognise the need to provide a home for those persons who may qualify for settlement in New Zealand on humanitarian grounds.  Education  National will:  * Continue to assist the Island Governments in establishing and operating a South Pacific Examination Board.  * Continue to provide scholarships and trade training facilities for students from the South Pack region appropriate to the developmental needs of the home country.  Arts and Culture  National, recognising the close links within the South Pacific region, will encourage participation in the preservation of the region's antiquities and the development of its arts and cultures. To this end National will continue to fully support the South Pacific Festival of Arts as well as other opportunities for cultural interchange.  Polynesian Affairs in New Zealand  National believes New Zealand's special relationship with the South Pacific region is reflected in the growth of a significant Polynesian community in New Zealand.  The National Government has been fully aware of the need to help migrants to adapt and settle into the New Zealand way of life. National will therefore put a greater emphasis on activities which help newly arrived Pacific Islands immigrants to more easily overcome their initial settlement difficulties. Church and community service groups will be encouraged to participate in settlement activities.  National will continue to provide assistance for housing loans in line with Maori housing policy.  National fully recognises the cultural difficulties and educational problems that arise for Polynesian migrants and their children as a result of their value system and general cultural background. National will continue its development of special educational programmes to involve Pacific Islanders more heavily in New Zealand's educational system.  National will:  * Expand Government support for both the Pacific Islanders Educational Resource Centre and the Advisory and Community Centre;  * Continue to support the Polynesian Education Foundation expanded by the National Government since 1975;  * Encourage Polynesian parents to become involved in setting up educational priorities for their children, with special emphasis on the pre-school and technical training areas;  * Through second language teaching techniques, give specialised programmes that will result in a fuller understanding of the English language.  STATE SERVICES  Efficiency  National places great value on the efficiency of the State Services and recognises the dedication of Government employees. National will accordingly continue to ensure that New Zealanders are served by the best possible State administration. It will ensure that the' Service establishments are maintained at an adequate level, commensurate with the work involved.  Merit and Experience  National firmly believes that merit must continue to be encouraged. Seniority and experience are important factors to be taken into account in the making of appointments.  Career Flexibility  National will further encourage voluntary exchanges between the public and private sectors. Job security and rights in the public sector will be protected.  Maintenance of Essential Services  The National Government has strengthened the law on illegal strikes and lockouts involving essential services in both the public and private sector. National will continue to ensure that these essential services are maintained.  Remuneration  National believes that the State Service employee should be paid on a fair and equitable basis in comparison with those doing similar and equivalent work in the private sector. National endorses the new concept by way of outside review of pay scales in private industries. The arithmetic formula whereby the dates of application apply retrospectively will be reviewed if necessary. National believes that the review date of April is in the interests of both the State Servant and the Government and will retain this unless there is significant change on negotiations of the major awards in the private sector. As a fair employer, a National Government will advance the use of mediation when difficulties arise in negotiation of wage claims or conditions of employment. National will give consideration to allowing any of the Arbitration Court judges to chair the Public Sector Tribunal. Any such moves will be made only after consultation with the Combined State Services Organisation.  Conditions of Work  The State Services will continue to be encouraged to give a lead to the private sector in the development and introduction of patterns of work to enable those with family responsibilities to remain in or re-enter the work force.  TOURISM  General  The attractions of New Zealand to both the overseas visitor and New Zealanders themselves have long been recognised as being unsurpassed. Not only are the scenic attractions both magnificent and varied, but New Zealand hospitality makes the tourist industry a natural area for further vigorous development.  It is an industry with immense potential. Throughout the world last year tourism generated over $50 billion, a total which ranks tourism second only to the oil business as an item of world trade.  The National Government has promoted tourism as a first-tier industry, thereby establishing it in an increasingly significant role in the economic development of New Zealand, while promoting an important cultural link with many parts of the world.  National reinforces its pledge to promote tourism and will give all possible support to the future growth of the industry.  Tourism Advisory Council  The recommendations of the Tourism Advisory Council, 52  established by the National Government last year, have set guidelines which National regards as vital to this future growth. The continued contribution of the Tourism Advisory Council to New Zealand tourism now and in the future is regarded as essential by National.  New Zealand National Travel Association  National recognises and supports the role of the National Travel Association as the unifying agency within the New Zealand tourist industry. The National Government recognises the Association as an adviser to the Government and places a high value on this advice. Accordingly, a minimum subsidy of $50,000 annually will be granted to the Association to enable it to continue its promotional activities.  Tourist and Publicity Department  The place of the Tourist and Publicity Department is well recognised by the tourist industry. National believes the continuation of its present role is vital to a successful tourist industry for New Zealand.  Promotion  The Tourism Advisory Council has predicted a growth in visitor numbers of 8% per year over the next three years. To realise this prediction and in the expectation it will be exceeded, the National Government will provide a larger allocation of funds to promote New Zealand as a tourist  destination, for all types of conventions as well as for  individual and group travel. The amount of this funding will be carefully reviewed from time to time in line with the recommendations of the Tourism Advisory Council. National recognises that it is essential for Government's participation with private entrepreneurs to be continued, particularly with such important bodies as the South  Island Promotion Association, both in foreign and  domestic market research and the promotional activities resulting from the analysis of that research.  Such promotion is bidding for high stakes. Last year domestic tourism earned an estimated $250 million, in addition to overseas visitors bringing $161 million into New Zealand in overseas funds in the past financial year.  Overseas Promotion  National will ensure that the public sector continues to  Qomplement the efforts of the private sector through its overseas posts, and through joint promotional campaigns such as the 1978 New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department North American promotion campaign with the Australian Travel Commission.  Domestic Promotion  Again, National emphasises that the private and public sectors must complement each other in the selling of New Zealand to New Zealanders.  Accommodation  Given current projections of the growth in overseas visitors in the next five years it is clear that further accommodation must be built, especially in key areas, to allow these visitors to be adequately catered for. National will continue its Tourist Accommodation Development Scheme which provides loans and guarantees for larger accommodation investments through the Development Finance Corporation. In addition to the extension of the scheme announced in Ohe 1978 Budget, National will adopt a flexible approach m the operation of this scheme to ensure that necessary development takes place. National recognises the importance of motels to New Zealand's tourist industry, especially domestic tourism. National considers it is necessary for the motel industry to become fully integrated into national and international promotional activities. Other accommodation, as provided by caravan parks, camping grounds and youth hostels, is also an important component of our tourist industry, especially for New Zealanders. National considers it is necessary to establish the place of this type of accommodation within the New Zealand tourist industry.  Research  The successful development of the New Zealand tourist industry is dependent on the thorough investigation into the motivation and reactions of overseas and domestic tourists within New Zealand so as to enable future tourist planning to take such views into consideration. To achieve this, National believes that market research must be further developed and co-ordinated.. Accordingly National, in line with the recommendations  of the Tourism Advisory Council, will consider the upgrading of the Tourist and Publicity Department's research facilities to enable it to support an on-going research exercise in conjunction with major tourist operators and Air New Zealand, and to collate, analyse and disseminate information for the benefit of the tourist industry as a whole.  Training  Efficient, well-trained personnel providing high quality service are essential to any successful tourist industry.  National will continue to support the development of training facilities to meet this need, especially at tertiary  level, and for management training.  Tourism and Regional Development  Certain regions of New Zealand are dependent on tourism for their existence. National considers the protection of that dependence is important both for the region and the tourist facility provided. Similarly, some regions suffer a severe strain on essential services such as water supply, sewerage and roading, with a seasonal influx of tourists. In such regions National will consider the provision of financial assistance to upgrade facilities to meet these seasonal demands. For this to occur National believes the tourist industry must become more closely linked with such planning agencies as the local authorities and the National Roads Board. National believes the Tourist Advisory Council should have a central role in this function. In addition, the further development of resort areas of New Zealand will continue through the Tourist Facilities Development Scheme.  Tourism and the Environment  The National Government will continue to uphold the principle that it is in the interests of tourism to minimise the impact of tourism on the environment and to provide the necessary support to maintain the environment in its most natural and appealing state. Accordingly, National will ensure that environmental factors are carefully assessed in the future development of tourist facilities and in the use of those facilities. A significant factor in ensuring this occurs, is the close liaison between relevant tourist interests and National Park authorities.  Tourist Hotel Corporation  The National Government has restored the Corporation to its original role with Ministerial responsibility but without any Ministerial interference in the daily operation of the Corporation.  National will continue to endorse the present role of the  Corporation in complementing private sector tourist interest in New Zealand.  Transport  National recognises that transport is an essential element in the tourist industry. Accordingly, National will ensure that decisions taken in the transport field must take into account the needs of the New Zealand tourist industry.  New Zealand Culture  National will fully support moves which will provide positive identification of Maori arts and crafts, thereby ensuring their authenticity and continued production.  TRANSPORT  Statement of Principle  Aircraft and Airport Security  The National Government is rationalising New Zealahd's The present liaison between Customs, Police and transport system and believes the next step is to establish overseas authorities will be continued to ensure that all the machinery to plan and co-ordinate transport in New air travellers can travel in safety.  Zealand.  National, mindful of the cost of our present transport system, especially in energy terms, and mindful that both our energy and transport resources are limited and increasingly expensive to the consumer, considers it essential to co-ordinate all modes of transport to ensure maximum efficiency of operation and service.  New Zealand's transport system comprises three basic groups:  1 International modes to and from New Zealand;  2. Modes using trunk routes servicing and being served  by the international system;  3. Regional routes servicing, and being served by the main trunk routes.  National considers that the co-ordination of Groups 1 and 2 must be the ultimate responsibility of central government.  Therefore, National will review the existing transport administration to enable the Minister of Transport to co-ordinate more effectively the four transport modes of Air, Sea, Rail and Road.  To ensure the maximum utilisation and co-ordination of regional transport resources (i.e. Group 3), Regional Transport Advisory Committees will continue to be established. This would involve each Committee in both regional transport policy planning and the day-to-day co-ordination of the transport systems in their region. In the long-term it is envisaged that such Transport Committees will co-ordinate their activities with local government. These proposals represent a major innovation for New Zealand's transport system. National considers them vital to ensure the best use of our transport and energy resources. Not to so plan would endanger New Zealand's economic base.  The Air Mode  Air New Zealand  The amalgamation of N.A.C. and Air New Zealand will achieve the maximum efficiency of New Zealand's aviation resources at a national and international level. This will ensure the place of aviation in New Zealand's transport system. The amalgamated airline will continue to provide its traditionally high level of efficiency and safety, both in its domestic and international services, and will continue to use Safe Air Limited in a co-ordinated freight movement operation.  Third Level Operations  National will co-ordinate air services for both passengers and freight to the smaller centres. The Air Licensing Authority will continue to carefully assess the needs of each area and issue licences accordingly, with due regard to the maximum efficiency of aircraft, equipment, safety standards and services and to safeguard the private operators autonomy.  The Chatham Islands  National will ensure that communications with the Chatham Islands are further improved.  National will complete the construction of a sealed airstrip at Karewa Point.  The Sea Mode. Coastal Shipping National will promote the provision of shipping services where the economic need for such services has been established. National will ensure that a regular and frequent shipping service is provided to the Chatham Islands and that the Chatham Islands wharf is upgraded to meet the requirements of the vessel on the run.  Shipping Corporation  National recognises that the New Zealand Shipping Corporation gives New Zealand the right of access to valuable trading areas throughout the world as well as allowing this country to play an active part in the setting of the international shipping charges. National will review the operation of the corporation.  Ports  National reaffirms the role of the Ports Authority in national ports planning to ensure the progressive development of ports and harbours in order to foster an efficient and integrated ports system for New Zealand.  National will:  * Ensure that the Government's national and regional planning policies are injected at a formative stage into the port planning process;  * Foster the co-ordination of road and rail into all ports i order to achieve the integration of all transport modes at this crucial point in New Zealand's transport system; and  * Encourage the use of non-container ports where the availability of freight and ships is proven to the Ports Authority.  The Rail Mode  1. The third National Government has set about improving New Zealand's rail system and will continue to build on the very real achievements of the last three years. Major improvements have been made to the locomotive fleet and further new locomotives will be purchased as part of this programme. New suburban passenger units have been authorised and major additions have been made to the wagon fleet -especially to service the import-export container trade - and new wagons are being produced every week. Workshops, stations and staff housing are being upgraded as a top priority. Furthermore, a new accounting system is currently being introduced in line with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Public Expenditure Committee.  It is National's intention that measures will be taken,  and capital provided, for Railways to fulfil its vital role within New Zealand's transport system. National pledges that this upgrading of NZR will be continued, to ensure that New Zealanders will be proud to work in and travel on an efficient and reliable rail service. 2. Given the expected increase, in the price of imported liquid fuels and in the volume of freight in the next few decades, National will, as economic circumstances permit, move to the electrification of the railways, with the central section of the North Island Main Trunk Line being the first area for attention. 3. Inter-Island Transport: The Cook Strait rail ferry link between the North and South Islands is vital to all New Zealanders. Since 1975 the National Government has taken a number of significant steps to ensure the efficient operation of this essential link, with the conversion of the Aratika and the refitting of the Aramoana and the Aranui. To ensure that an efficient and regular service is maintained, National will: * Continue the freight differential for the South Island; and * Ensure that priority is given to the replacement of the Cook Strait vessels as soon as it is necessary. National considers that in the interests of industrial harmony, which is essential to an uninterrupted inter-island service, all employees in the inter-island rail ferry system should belong to an association of unions. National will encourage this move.  The Road Transport Mode General The National Government has introduced major innovations in order to rationalise road transport in New Zealand. The two most notable measures are the Road Users Charges Scheme whereby the "user pays" concept has been introduced to ensure a contribution to the maintenance and construction of New Zealand roads, and the relaxation of the forty-mile limit on road/rail competition. National will closely regulate the effect of these measures to ensure an equitable and efficient road transport system.  Road Safety  National considers that New Zealand's road safety record leaves much to be desired. Accordingly, it has recently implemented stricter legislation relating to traffic offences, particularly those involving alcohol and drug related offences. These measures cover the introduction of evidential breath tests, more severe penalties for those convicted of serious offences, and greater restrictions on the issuing of limited licences. National will carefully monitor the effect of these  measures and will complement them with a programme aimed at improving the attitudes of all road users.  The programme will be based on an intensive study into the following areas:  * The high accident rate amongst the younger and immature drivers in the 15 to 24 year old age group.  * Driving test procedures, with a view to improving the standards of skill and responsibility of new drivers.  * The introduction of a probationary licence system which can be extended for varying periods if driving offences are committed.  * More intensive road safety education, especially in both primary and secondary schools, through the media, and in the workplace.  The Road Safety Research Council and the Road Safety Select Committee have made recommendations regarding the use of seat belts. National will carefully review these findings with a view to their implementation.  National will review the functions of our traffic officers with a view to reducing their administrative duties in order that they can spend more time.on the road.  Taxis  National recognises the important part played by taxis in our transportation system and will keep the state of the industry under review.  Urban Transport  National believes that in all large urban areas an urban transport plan is essential to produce the most efficient and economic transport system. National believes this is best achieved through Urban Transport Councils, who will co-ordinate their planning with the Regional Transport Advisory Committees.  This planning must be directed at achieving a transport system which:  * Provides the most efficient and economical passenger transport;  * Provides for the efficient transportation of freight within urban areas;  * Is energy efficient;  * Is environmentally acceptable.  Energy and Transport  Not only is transport the largest single expenditure item in New Zealand's economy, it is the biggest single energy consumer. Therefore, the efficient use of energy in transport is an extremely important element in any transport policy.  This policy has been formulated taking careful account of energy factors. National pledges to pursue policies which maximise the efficient use of energy in transport.  WOMEN  National believes in full social, economic, cultural and political equality for all New Zealanders. National's aim is to foster the family, accepting its changing nature, and to promote the equal partnership between men and women with interchangeability of roles, rights and responsibilities.  Women and the Law  National has made the most significant legislative advances ever achieved in the interests of women with:  * The Equal Pay Act, which provides for equal pay for equivalent work.  * The Social Security Amendment Act, which introduced national superannuation without discrimination.  * The Matrimonial Property Act, which provides for a more just division of property on the dissolution of a marriage.  * The Human Rights Commission Act, which makes it an offence to discriminate in such areas as employment, housing and finance, on the grounds of sex. .  * The Juries Amendment Act, which integrates jury service rules for both men and women.  * The Evidence Amendment Act, which gives greater protection and more sensitive consideration to victims of rape.  * The Citizens and Aliens Act (1977) which gives all New Zealand citizens the same rights with respect to spouses and children.  * Legislation, currently before the House, regarding:.  - divorce, where fault will not enter into the proceedings and conciliation will be a mandatory  part of proceedings;  - maintenance, establishing the principle that the right of either spouse to receive maintenance flows from the need of that spouse for maintenance.  This legislation also provides for the removal of discrimination in custody proceedings.  During the next term, National will continue its course of law reform by:  * Implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Courts, and in particular those recommendations concerning the establishment of a Family Court system. The Family Court will have specialist Judges, and support services to provide help when needed, with the overall aim of being easily accessible and to function more simply and less expensively. The Family Courts will have jurisdiction over cases involving separation, divorce, maintenance, paternity, custody, access and adoption.  * Extending non-molestation orders within the domestic situation.  National recognises that the present law enforcement procedures deter complaints relating to rape and domestic violence. More sensitive procedures for dealing with the victims of rape and domestic violence will be developed, utilising women police officers. More women police officers will be recruited for this task.  The role which the Voluntary Rape Crisis and Women's Refuge Centres now play will be sympathetically studied, paying particular attention to the needs of such centres to ascertain where Government assistance is required. The police will be required to establish a record of all reported domestic violence in addition to current records already kept, so that the incidence of domestic violence can be determined in New Zealand.  Women and Employment  During the last three years the number and proportion of women engaged in full-time or part-time employment has continued to increase, with some 450,000 women now engaged in the workforce. National recognises the equal responsibilities and contributions of both men and women in the family and workforce. To maximise workforce potential and to minimise the difficulties which parents with family responsibilities face, National will:  * Provide special officers of the Employment Division of the Department of Labour, with responsibilities to encourage all employers, in both the public and private sector, to provide work patterns suitable for family needs such as: -flexible working hours -multiple shift work -part-time work - job sharing  * Give further attention to the problems of retraining and re-entry of women to the workforce, with special attention to on-the-job training;  * Give positive encouragement to employers who provide retraining facilities covering as wide a field of employment as is possible.  National will also continue to publicise the fact that any person may register with the Department of Labour, and receive assistance, if they are seeking work, regardless of whether or not they are entitled to an unemployment benefit.  Night Work ~~,,~  National will take positive steps, at the 1981 International Labour Organisation Annual Conference in Geneva, to revoke New Zealand's ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention 81, which restricts the right of choice of New Zealand women to work in industry at night. National firmly believes that in today's society, having regard to the Equal Pay Act and the conditions of work provided by employers, New Zealand can now revoke its ratification of this Convention and thus tap the potential of those women who are willing and able to use their skills and training in industries working night shifts.  Women and Education  National recognises the importance and value of continuing education for all people. Sometimes there are special problems for women. National will, therefore: * Encourage the establishment of child care and pre-school centres in institutions catering for continuing education. * Actively promote greater awareness of the availability of education for adults in secondary school. * Discuss with university authorities the possibility of enabling tertiary qualifications to be completed  extramurally.  * Encourage the involvement of Maori parents in all facets of their children's education.  * Encourage tertiary institutions to provide a number of short courses designed to cater for the special needs of rural people.  * Undertake a review of television programmes especially designed for children, and will evaluate their effect on children with a view to deciding what educational television might be provided. Experts in the field will be encouraged to talk to educationalists about possible innovations. We will also discuss with broadcasting officials the incidence of violence in programmes watched by children.  The Johnson report on health and social education is currently the subject of wide public consultation. If assessment of public opinion shows that legislation is desirable, such legislation will be referred to a Select Committee for thorough examination.  Child Welfare and Education  National fully endorses the resolution of the United ations declaring 1979 the International Year of the Child. Children are our nation's greatest resource. The quality of tomorrow's world depends on today's children. Great progress has been made on our 1975 policy of ensuring, where feasible, that early childhood education is generally available as an integral part of the education system by 1980. We believe this objective can still be met. National believes that early childhood care and education services should continue to operate as a partnership between parents, trained staff, voluntary organisations and the State. National will:  * Continually review the teacher:child ratio in kindergartens, with special ne. A areas as a priority.  * Continue to support the play centre movement and, in particular, their work in rural areas.  * Increase the number of Community Pre-School Advisors and provide further training, support and supervision.  * Increase the number of mobile pre-school units.  * Extend the pre-school service established in the Correspondence School.  * Expand part-time special groups for handicapped children at kindergartens and play centres.  * Extend the 1977 Budget announcement of providing for vacant accommodation in primary schools to be made available for pre-school services. National recognises the valuable contribution community child care plays. National acknowledges that support is necessary and will, therefore, in areas of proven need, provide assistance with the acquisition of buildings, initial equipment and administration. The initiative must, however, come from the community.  National insists that the highest quality of child care is available. Therefore:  A standardised qualification for operating a day care centre will be introduced.  The Child Care Regulations 1960 will be revised, to ensure the highest quality of supervision and environment is provided.  Women in Public Life  National has substantially increased the number of women appointed to Boards, Commissions and Tribunals, with well over 200 being appointed to such bodies. National will further expand the appointment of women to such bodies.  * Women will continue to be actively involved in the judicial system.  * National will encourage Maori and Polynesian women to undertake courses of study to assist them to take their place as Justices of the Peace, social workers and in other fields of community endeavour.  Women in Commerce  With the operation of the Equal Pay Act, and the Matrimonial Property Act; with the growing number of women in paid employment and in the professions, as investors in and owners of businesses; fundamental changes are occurring in our society. National also recognises women's developing economic force in the community. Therefore, National will: * Ensure that the Human Rights Commission, set up by National, has sufficient resources and facilities to perform its function of combatting unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sex in the provision of goods, facilities and services.  Women and Housing  National is concerned about the social costs associated with the proliferation of suburbs on the outskirts of urban areas. National will, therefore, expand its urban renewal programme with the aim of developing the existing and often under-utilised resources in inner city areas. Assistance will be given to local authorities for urban renewal projects. These projects will be required to take account of the wishes of those already living in areas due for renewal, and such people will be fully consulted before commercial and residential renewal proceeds. National will encourage land to be set aside for community service centres in new housing development areas. Such centres will amalgamate the resources of many service groups catering for the various aspects of family and community life.  Women and Welfare  National has provided positive recognition of the emotional and financial strain on the family who care for a seriously handicapped child at home by introducing a non-taxable handicapped children's allowance of $8 per week paid without means or income test. This benefit will be reviewed from time to time. National has removed the discrimination which previously existed by providing that in cases of sickness marrried women with a dependant spouse are now able to draw a sickness benefit at the married rate. All existing social security benefits will be continued. These benefits are now being reviewed every six months. Telephone, television, rates and other concessions will continue for those categories of beneficiaries currently eligible for those concessions. National will continue to review social security benefits with the object of removing any elements of discrimination that still remain. National will continue the scheme whereby community housing is made available to local bodies and welfare organisations for special purpose use.  Research  National, having initiated the Report on Family Statistics in New Zealand, will continue to seek up-to-date statistics on the family and in particular will give priority to the provision of relevant statistics on the extended family and multiple family household, with attention  being given to the changing role of women. The initial effort will be to meet the information gaps highlighted by the Report on Family Statistics.  Continuing Commitment  National will actively encourage the Human Rights Commission to scrutinise all legislative proposals that have an impact on the position of women and the family.  WORKS & DEVELOPMENT  National recognises the importance of the involvement of the community in planning and development of the use of natural resources. In 1977 the Town and Country Planning Act, the basic legislation in this area, was revised and simplified and ensures public participation in the planning process. The "companion" legislation relating to water and soil and public works has been reviewed and in 1979 revised legislation.will be introduced. The rights of public participation, objection and appeal to the Planning Tribunal available under the new Town and Country Planning Act will be extended to the Public Works Act.  Water and Soil Legislation  National will continue to promote the importance of mufti purpose use of water in the development of our water and soil resources. Their good management and wise use are essential for our prosperity and must be continually fostered.  A revised Water and Soil Act will be introduced by National in 1979. Features of the legislation will be:  * The retention of the strong and effective system of local management of water and soil.  * The provision of opportunities for public participation in the processes leading to decision making.  * Emphasis of the importance of mufti-purpose use of water, a factor to be taken into account in the granting of a water right.  * The role of water and soil management in the development of regional plans.  Water and Soil Resources  In continuing its policy of mufti purpose development of water and soil, National will:  * Continue to provide funding for investigation and design of irrigation and rural water supply schemes to ensure multiple use of water in river development schemes and also to ensure that schemes acceptable to farmers are constructed concurrently with river development.  * Ensure close co-ordination between power boards and catchment authorities in the investigation and promotion of river development involving small hydro schemes.  * Promote a programme of construction of irrigation  58  schemes, particularly those involving water harvesting.  * Provide funding for frost fighting schemes on the same terms and conditions as funding for irrigation, in areas where the Government believes these are necessary  * Encourage and promote better floodway provisions and -erosion control in all areas including urban areas.  * Support new drainage schemes, together with river control schemes where these are economic and will result in increased production.  * Actively encourage catchment and other local authorities to utilise to the full and in an efficient manner the resources and expertise of private contractors in this field.  Public Works  National believes that the present legislation governing public works is outmoded. A revised Public Works Act will be introduced in 1979. The new Act, in addition to simplifying and integrating the present legislation, will reflect National's policy on public works. National believes that while the Act is necessary to secure public works for the community, the individual should be fully compensated for the loss of property rights. Features in the legislation will be: * All public works (other than those of national importance) will require public designation under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 prior to taking  procedures being invoked. This will provide better and simpler procedures for the public's right of objection and appeal to the Planning Tribunal constituted under the Town and Country Planning Act, which will be empowered to enquire into and consider possible alternatives. * All designations of land for a public work will be reviewed as part of the Town and Country Planning Act procedures every 5 years when those affected will have full right of objection and appeal. * Where rural land is designated for any public purpose and that designation unduly effects the further utilisation or development of that land for farming purposes, then the designating authority will be required either to acquire that land at current market value, or compensate for the loss of value, or uplift the designation.  A requirement that land for public works be purchased by negotiation with existing owners. Where these fail  Maritime Planning (a new concept in New Zealand, introduced by the National Government) will be promoted and encouraged.  Roading  National recognises the important part that roading plays in New Zealand's overall transport plan. Improving roading conserves oil fuel, assists regional development and benefits tourism. The National Government has restored the independence of the National Roads Board and provided a new means of funding. A level of income will continue to be available to the Board to maintain and improve the total roading system as part of a co-ordinated national transport plan. National will continue to strongly support the District Roads Council system, which provides for maximum involvement of local people in setting priorities for local works as part of a regional transport plan. National recognises the importance of roading in the rural sector and the need for further upgrading and improvement of country roads. It will ask the Board to review sector allocations to provide greater flexibility in the allocation of funds.  the issuing of proclamations under the Public Works Act for the compulsory taking of land will be limited to areas required for public utilities such as energy works, hospitals, schools and motorways.  * Land compulsorily acquired for a public work and no longer needed for that or similar work will, where practicable, be offered to those from whom the land was taken.  * Where land is acquired for public works, prompt and generous compensation will be paid. Provision will be made for:  -A more flexible system of assessment and payment of compensation to meet the circumstances of different cases;  -full compensation for each interest in the land or estate;  - alternative compensation by providing, where appropriate, a comparable property;  - retention of the farm for a farm, home for a home principle introduced by the National Government in 1976;  -extension of the principle establishment by the second National Government of solatium payments in recognition of the personal distress and inconvenience suffered by people who are displaced by public works;  - reasonable disturbance payments, including fair legal and valuation fees, and removal expenses as of right;  - bridging or long term loan finance availability to assist in the re-establishment of homes, farms or businesses.  * Land owners will in all cases have recourse to the Court where compensation cannot be agreed upon.  Planning  Resource and environmental planning is now a priority function for all regional and local authorities. The National Government in the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 gave special emphasis to co-ordination of local and regional planning but protecting the rights of local communities to decide matters of local interest. National will continue to support and promote this concept of community involvement in local and regional  Tanning. An integral part of national planning will be the co-ordination of plans formulated by regions, in a similar manner to the co-ordination of district schemes in regional planning.  Contracting Industry  An efficient contracting industry is vital to the future well being of New Zealand. National will continue to promote the role of the private contractor in construction and will encourage the utilisation of contractors' resources and expertise.  National recognising the potential to sell abroad the construction skills and expertise developed in New Zealand, will:  * Make available to private organisations information on opportunities for New Zealand involvement in overseas projects.  * Assist the private sector to negotiate with overseas government or organisations for the carrying out of overseas development projects.  * Assist the private sector to carry out overseas development projects by making available to them the special expertise available within the Government sector, including the secondment of personnel.  * Work with the private sector in the establishment of facilities overseas to support the New Zealand export drive as has been achieved in Bahrain.  Authorised by P .B. Leay, General Director, N.Z. National Party, P .O. Box 1155 Wellington.