1965 Election Labour Party (The Irish Times, March 24 196)  Labour Election Manifesto Party's plan for next five years announced  Next Five Years  In its election programme Labour sets out the ideas which it thinks should govern national policy over the next five years and the measures which should be adapted to achieve full employment with rising living standards and an equitable sharing of the nation's wealth.  The basic principles of Labour policy do not change from one election to another. Nor is the Labour forty content with simply adopting as its own, programmes drawn up by public servants. Our programme for the 1965 General Election is a logical development of the proposals outlined at previous elections. In the past, Labour's ideas about, for example, economic planning and the Welfare Society, have been attacked by the other parties, yet today these parties now compete with each other in advocating halfbaked versions of these ideas.  Tinkering about with conservative policies that have proved to be failures, halfhearted acceptance of progressive ideas they would like to reject if they could - such has been the attitude of Fianna Fail. Smug and complacent about the undoubted improvement in economic conditions in the lest few years, Fianna Fail has shown a frightening .indifference to the ample evidence that the country is nest moving ahead as rapidly as it should.  Our unemployment rate is still the highest in Europe.  * Emigration i5 running at a rate of over, 26,000 a year.  * There are fewer at work today than there were in 1958.  * Our economic growth rate in 1964 was the second lowest in Europe.  Fianna Fails complacency is further evident in its attitude to the social services which are among the worst in Europe and to the staggering increase in the cast of living aver the last iG months. Mr. Lemass seems content with saying in effect "you've never had it so good".  Economic planning would mobilise our resources of brainy and capital to create new jabs and wealth and provide better opportunities for our people and a racial plan that would ensure the equitable distribution of the wealth produced these are Labour's objectives for the next Dail.  Al1 citizens have an obligation to help in shaping the society in which we live and in deciding how the community should be organised and its wealth shared. This election gives an opportunity of expressing views an the social and economic issues facing our country. The voters can determine how far the 18th bail will steer the nation to a mare secure future and a better life far all, by electing sufficient Labour deputies to compel the next Government to adapt progressive policies attuned to presentday needs. 1his is the step towards tie achievement of our goal a Labour Government for Ireland.  ECONOMIC POLICY  The aims of Labour's economic policy are the utilisation of all the resources of the nation, full employment and higher living standards far all. Our economy must be planned so that none of our resources physical or human are left idle or wasted. Economic planning can ensure that by a combination of public enterprise cooperative effort and private initiative, all our productive potentialities are fully realised.  Labour stands far public ownership and public control so far as it is necessary to safeguard or promote important community interests and will urge the establishment of new enterprises under public ownership or control. Labour recognises, however, that private enterprise should be assisted in thane fields in which it proves able to combine efficiency and the will to expand with responsibility towards the consumers the employees and the community.  Economies Planning  Whether economic activities are based upon private or public ownership, they must be coordinated in a planned economy in order to prevent any of our resources being wasted or lying idle. Caordination and planning must be under public direction, but the various economic groups and trade organisations such as the trade unions must be fully consulted where decisions concerning the broad lines of economic policy are involved.  To assist the Government and the Oireachtas in carrying out their functions of directing the economy and planning the full utilisation of all our resources, the National Industrial Economic Council should be transformed into a true National Economic Council covering agriculture as well as industry and the other sectors of the economy. The council„ which should have its own expert secretariat, would assist in working out a flexible, national economic plan and an annual economic budget in the implementation of which the Government would play a fey part through its investment, credit and taxation policies and though public enterprises.  Expansion plans for each industry would be worked out after consultation with both sides of industry through development councils. Within the national plan each industry would not only know what was expected of it, but what assistance it could expect in carrying out the plan and the measures that would be taken in the event of the industry failing to meet the expansion targets.  The 1961 Election Programme of the Labour Party proposed the appointment of a Minister of Economic Affairs, who would be responsible for economic affairs generally and the coordination of the policies and activities of the various Departments, such as Finance, Industry and Commerce, Agriculture and Transport tend Power.  Public Enterprise  Public enterprise has played a decisive role in our economy and in general has been remarkably successful~ Such organisations as the Irish Sugar Company„ E;ord na Mona, Aer Ling!_!s, Erin Foods not only provide considerable employment, but are also efficient and wellrun, reflecting credit on the abilities and brains of our people when their energies are properly harnessed in progressive public concerns. The public sector can play a far bigger part in the national expansion plan. Not only mast the existing public enterprises be encouraged to raise their productive efficiency and improve their service to the public, they must also extend their fields of operation. In addition, Labour believes that there is great scope for new State sponsored bodies in developing new industrial enterprises.  Labour considers it important, however, that greater opportunities be afforded for Dail Eireann to maintain contact with and to review the policies and activities of State bodies where necessary.  Industry  The development and expansion of existing industries and the establishment of new industries must be pressed forward with greater vigour. Existing State bodies such as the Industrial Development Authority, Industrial Credit Go. and Carts Trachtala must be allocated whatever resources are necessary to enable them to intensify their efforts directed towards the expansion of oar industrial arm and increasing the volume of industrial exports.  Wherever possible new industrial enterprises should be set up under State auspices.  Where substantial grants or subsidies are made to industrial firms from public fends there should be provision for public participation in some farm or other in the firm.  The flourmilling industry should be taken into public ownership.  Agriculture  Labour's farm policy is based on the interests of the small and mediumsized farms and not one which favours the minority of big farmers. It aims at higher production from the land as well «s more efficient production. Assistance to agriculture should be primarily directed towards providing improved marketing arrangements, the increased use of fertilisers, cheap credit facilities and a comprehensive technical advisory service.  A primary aim should be the encouragement of cooperation among farmers, and to this end the State should lend generous support to all efforts to extend the application of genuine cooperative principles in rural areas and, where possible, should channel State assistance to an increasing extent through cooperative organisations. Labour will urge the fixing of prices for farm products at a level which will guarantee efficient farmers « fair return for their labour.  In view of its key position in the agricultural economy. Labour believes that there is need for special assistance for the dairying industry. This assistance should be directed towards improving the qualify of stock and raising milk yields and facilitating the marketing abroad of dairy produce. Pilot and demonstration farms should be established in each county.  A special State agency should make available farms purchased on the open market for renting to farmers' sons and farm workers. There should be rigidly enforced restrictions on the purchase of farm land by foreigners.  Action should be taken to ensure that large holdings are worked efficiently and that our most important natural resource is not wasted.  Financial Policy  Financial policy should be directed towards raising national production and living standards and facilitating necessary economic and social reforms. Its aims should be to provide the financial means necessary to fulfil the tasks of economic policy set by the government and to exert a stabilising influence an economic activity.  Money and credit must be subordinated to the public interest and in particular credit policy must be so directed as to provide the capital needed far the development of the economy and the rate of interest kept as law as possible. National savings must be invested in our own country tend the capital resources available from such savings augmented by the repatriation fur productive development purposes of some of the hundreds of millions of pounds worth of assets held abroad.  The funds at the disposal of the Central Banff: including thane of the Legal Tender Mote Fund must be made available to whatever extent is necessary for national development purposes.  Taxation  The basis of taxation policy must be to secure a fair distribution of the burden of taxation according to the ability of the citizen to bear it. The trend under Fianna Fail. has been far the rich to pay relatively less while the lesswell off pay mare. This shift in the tax burden deliberately brought about by the present Government must be reversed.  The present system of taxation is neither fair nor just. Chile wage and salary earners must pay to the last shilling, income tax on their earnings, others by various devices of evasion and avoidance can dodge paying their share. This injustice mars( be ended. All who earn incomes above the exemption limit (which should be raised to help the very lowlypaid) should contribute their proper share to the tax pool.  The wage and salary earner is carrying too great a share of the tax burden. This burden could be eased without affecting the public and social services provided out of taxation if steps were taken to have income tax levied equitably and the avoidance and evasion of businessmen and others ended.  The Labour Party strongly opposed the introduction of the Turnover Tax. It considered and still considers that it is wrong in principle to impose a tax on foodstuffs and other essential commodities. Labour wilt strive to have the tai:; modified so as to exclude essential items of food and other commodities from the tax.  Labour believes that it is morally indefensible that the old age pensioner's daily bread should be,taxed and that the earnings of lowpaid workers should bear income tax, whale a t the same time the huge profits made by speculators in stocks and shares and in real estate, should be completely exempt from tar;. Enormous fortunes have been made through taxfree capital gains. Labour proposes the introduction of a tax on certain capital receipts such as in operation in many countries including Britain, the United States, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark. The tax could be extended to cover legacies and gifts above a certain figure so as to close the legal loopholes by which death duties an large estates are avoided.  WELFARE SOCIETY  The racial policy of the Labour Forty aims at giving protection against poverty and economic insecurity by means that respect the personality and dignity of the individual. Everyone who is not in a position to earn his living mast be assured an existence worthy of a human being.  Radical reforms are needed in the racial services. These reforms will be very costly. If we are to uphold our claims to being a Christian community wed meet the casts involved in transforming the racial services from their present subsistence standards„ The dire poverty endured by pensioners must be ended and thane who have well served the community enabled to live out their last days in dignity and in modest comfort. To do less or to say that less is all we can afford is an insult to every citizen.  Social Security  Among the reforms that Labour proposes in the field of racial security are:  (a) The basic standards of oldage pensions and widows' pensions mast be substantially increased and the qualifying age far oldage pension gradually reduced to 65 far men and 60 for women.  (b) Sickness benefit and unemployment benefit should be related to earnings.  (c) Employers should be responsible for meeting the full cast of sickness benefit far the first seven day= of a worker's illness tend benefit payment made from first day of sickness.  id) Social insurance contributions from employers and workers should be graded according to wage or salary.  (e) All social security benefits and contributions should by increased as wages tend salaries rise.  (f) Redundancy compensation payments should be made to workers made redundant, from a national fund subscribed by X1.1 employers.  (g) Steps should be taken to induce and encourage employers to introduce industrial pension schemes for X11 their employees.  phi Workmen's compensation should he replaced by an industrial injuries scheme.  (h) Children's allowances should he increased substantially for the third child and subsequent children where the father is not paying income tax. (This would alleviate the poverty found in large families where the father hues a low income).  (i) The present income limit of £8OO far social insurance for nonmanual workers should be raised immediately to E1,5C}t}:  These reforms gyre intended to alleviate the poverty of those who are aged, widowed, sick: or unemployed as well as those with law wages who have large families tend to ensure that social security benefits are raised as ages increase.  Proper social services cannot be had on the cheap. Improved benefits must be paid fork in pert by higher contributions by employers and employees. Labour believes however, that employers must pay a far higher proportion of the costs of uncial security than in the past. This would bring the method of financing these costs mare into line with practice on the Continent.  Health  The operation of the Health Act with its means test and other limitations hate provided abundant evidence that there ,is no satisfactory alternative to a comprehensive National Health Service such as is enjoyed by our fellowcountrymen in Northern Irelands Labour has proposed that our aim should be the establishment of such a service covering the whale population as soon as possible. Fending the netting up of such a National Health Service, Labour will urge the immediate introduction of a scheme which would provide a general practitioner service with choice of doctor and hospital and specialist services, all without any direct charge, with substantial assistance towards meeting the cost of medicines and drugs.  The additional coot of the proposed change over and above what is at present spent on the health services should be met from contributions from employed persons and their employers and the selfemployed.  The mental health service must be reorganised in conformity with the best modern practice, additional measures should be taken for the rehabilitation of disabled persons, the mentallyhandicapped and the blind and special educational and training facilities made available for mentally and physically handicapped children.  Education  A firstrate education should be the birthright of every child. This is also essential if the nation is to take its place in the modern world far we cannot afford to let talent go to waste. Our educational system must provide the fullest opportunities to every child to develop his capabilities. From primary school to university, the chars of opportunity must be opened wide to X11 children and the best possible education that the nation can afford made available to them.  A great expansion of educational facilities is needed. Hundreds of new school buildings gyre urgently required to replace dilapidated tend unsuitable schools tend to provide far :smaller classes. Overcrowded classes mgr the work of the most devoted teachers tend a first priority must be the reduction in the sire of classes in all schools to a maximum of .30 pupils.  Fianna Fail hues expressed the hope that the school-leaving age will be raised by 1970 with an guarantee that this will. be done. This is not good enough. Action must be taken now to ensure that the school leaving age is raised before then and the necessary arrangements made to provide the accommodation tend teachers required by this step and by the need to reduce the sire of classes.  Much else needs to be done as a matter of urgency:  (a) Fees in secondary tend vocational schools should be abolished;  (b) A nationwide service for vocational and career guidance should be introduced;  (c) entry to higher education in the universities end in technological institutions should be open to all students who may have the capacity to benefit from such education and the financial barriers removed by the extension of grants, scholarships end loans to students;  (d) There must be a rapid extension of technical education facilities.  The implementation of Labour's plan for education will mean much mare opportunity end a better start in life far the greet majority of our children. Education is investment is people and is the most valuable investment the nation can make.  Adequate resources of money and teachers must be made available if justice is to be done to the nation's children and if our community is to be enabled to keep abreast of developments in a rapidly changing world.  Housing  A Government White leper has admitted at least 50,000 houses ere urgently required. Labour's housing policy is designed to meet this need quickly by helping both house purchasers end tenants.  Labour will press far the speeding.up of the housing programme so that all families will be properly housed, end slums, overcrowding and bed hog?sing conditions in urban and in rural areas eliminated. Good homes must be provided, however, at resents that people can afford. The biggest element in local authority rents end in repayments of house purchase loans is the interest charged. Because proper housing is basic to family life. Labour considers that interest an housing lawns should be lower than the normal commercial rate and will, therefore, urge that finance far housing be provided at a special rate of interest.  To facilitate persons wishing to buy their own hawses Labour will urge that:  (a) 100% loans be made available;  (b)The legal casts of hawse purchase be reduced  © Land by made available at reasonable prices;  (d) Ground rents be purchasable by householders an an equitable basis;  (e) Cooperative groups wishing to build their own houses be given special assistance.  The present trends in land prices and building casts are pushing the price of housing beyond the reach of many people. Steps mist be taken to counteract these trends.  Hanna Fail have already removed many houses and from rent control and have stated their intention of proceeding with further decontrol and the abolition of rent restrictions. Labour will oppose any such measures and call furnished flats and the setting up of a Fair Rent Tribunal.  Miscellaneous Labour Code  Labour Party proposes that the existing code legislation be extended and improved and that particular, the following steps be taken:  (a) The extension of joint consultation in industry. The Abolition of Agricultural Wages ward and the setting up of a Joint Industrial Council under the Labour Court far farm workers.  (b) Compensation far lass of jab through redundancy.  (d) Equal pay far equal wart for men and women.  (e) Employers to be compelled to give extended native of dismissal to employees according to length of service.  (f) The establishment as urged by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions of a Manpower Authority which would have responsibility for the employment services, industrial training, retraining of adult workers, resettlements etc.  Local Authorities  Labour proposes that the County Management Act be amended so «s to restore to local authorities their democratic rights in?^ local administration.  Prices  The soaring cast of living must be brought under control. Pensioners and housewives suffer mast when prices race. Much of the rise in prices over the past 18 months has been caused by deliberate Government action such as the introduction of the Turnover Tai. Part of the rise h«s been wholly unjustifiable and stems from the failure of the Government to take steps to limit price increases. Fianna Fail proclaims the .impossibility of doing anything effective about rising prices. Labour rejects this defeatist approach.  Labour calls far the introduction of machinery for the public investigation of prices and the control of prices where necessary. The Government policy of « "freefarall" in privets must end. Manufacturers and others must be forced to state their case publically as trade unions are erected to do. In this way some price control will be exercised.  CONCLUSION  A strong Labour party in fail Eireann is a guarantee that the mast essential needs of the people for adequate incomes for livings for good homes, education, health services and security in old age will not be forgotten.  Labour also will ensure that as its plans for the more effective organisation of resources are advanced, the vulgar affluence of the few will not prevail over the equitable sharing of the nation's wealth, so that all will have security and all citizens have the opportunity to develop their talents and personalities for the welfare of their families and the nation.