POLICY STATEMENT  Announced September 16th, 1974  by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  PREAMBLE.  A confident and expanding farming industry is an essential pre-requisite to the economic development and social advancement of the nation.  A National Government will ensure that the farming industry is able to play an expanded role in providing overseas earnings and regional development.  A National Government will also ensure that the social needs of the rural communities and rural service towns are adequately provided for.  PROGRAMME.  1. Farmer Confidence.  National will ensure that farmers have sufficient confidence in the future of their industry to continue to invest in farm development, in the knowledge that they will not be subject to the arbitrary interference of the Government.  (a) Incentives will be provided to encourage increased production and productivity.  - Grants and loans.  - Taxation allowances and concessions.  - Disaster Relief and Insurance.  (b) A reasonable balance between farm costs and product prices will be maintained by the judicious use of product support measures in times of undue disadvantages.  - Control of farm costs by controlling inflation.  - Fertiliser subsidies.  - Pesticides and weedicide subsidies.  - Income equalisation schemes.  2. Recruitment.  National will encourage young people to take up farming as a career.  (a) Financial assistances will be provided to help those of proven ability into farms of their own.  - Land settlement programme.  (b) Incentives will be provided to encourage career farm workers to remain in the industry.  - Schemes to enable farm workers to own their own home or to purchase a home on retirement.  3. Research, Development and Diversification.  National will give greater priority to research into and the development of farming practices that will give increased production and profitability per acre.  Irrigation.  Improved breeds of animals.  Improved strains of pasture species.  Developments in grain, seeds, horticulture.  Fertiliser research.  Diversification of crops and products.  4. Social Aspects.  National will give greater emphasis to the maintenance and enhancement of the desirable social and environmental qualities of rural life. More attention will be given to.  - Rural education, particularly secondary and continuing education, boarding allowances, bus services.  - Rural medical services doctors district health nurses.  - Farm worker housing encourage to own own home.  Community Life.  development based on smaller service centres.  employment opportunity for women.  family farm concepts.  Communications roading mail delivery telephone services.  5. Social Research.  National will give greater priority to rural social research, with particular reference to.  (a) Work force (family and non-family labour).  (b) Ownership patterns.  (c) Age structure.  (d) Needs of rural women.  (e) Rural social services.  (f) Housing and standards of living.  (g) Community life.  6. Producer Control and Marketing.  National will continue to safeguard the rights of the farming industry to retain effective producer control of the marketing of primary products. National will co-operate closely with farmer organisations and statutory bodies in promoting overseas markets and marketing arrangements.  7. Agricultural Production Council.  National will restore the Agricultural Production Council to its former role and will broaden the scope of the Agricultural Advisory Committees to provide a co-operative community based voice in the development of rural policies and farming.  8. Farming, the Nation of the World.  National will develop an improved public relations programme to explain the importance of agriculture to New Zealand and of New Zealand agriculture to a hungry world.  MANUFACTURING.  Announced 3rd February, 1975, by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon, following a meeting of the Dominion Policy Committee.  SUMMARY.  SPOKESMAN.  lion. L.R. Adams-Schneider, MP.  A strategy for Industrial Growth.  The new policy for manufacturing industries says a National Government believes this will require a strategy for growth based on a flourishing industrial sector as an essential element of the New Zealand economy alongside the important agriculture and forestry sectors. the use of New Zealand resources and skills to broaden New Zealand's industrial base and economic independence. the development of protective policies and export incentive schemes. and the maintenance of an independent enterprise system as the driving force for a broadly based modern economy.  Greater Self-Reliance.  A National Government will pursue a policy of industrial development based on the need for greater self-reliance in a world of change and uncertainty, the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon, announced today after a meeting of the Party's Policy Committee.  Consultative Council.  The new policy says a National Government will establish a Consultative Council - based on the Cabinet Economic Committee, the Manufacturers' Federation, and the Manufacturing Council of the National Development Conference - to establish the basic growth strategy for New Zealand industry and deep it under constant review.  Small Business Agency.  A National Government will assist and strengthen small business as an essential element in a strong competitive New Zealand economy. A Small Business Agency, with regional offices, will be established to work in close co-operation with Regional Councils and independent enterprise to stimulate small business.  Resources commission.  A National Government will establish a resources Commission to make a more rapid economic assessment of New Zealand resources on a regional basis. Research and development will be expanded to provide the critical support needed for New Zealand industry in the scientific and technological age.  Full Employment and Regional Development.  A National Government will promote a flourishing industrial, processing and manufacturing sector as the basis for full employment and wide-ranging regional development.  VI. INVESTMENT.  The National Party believes New Zealand's industrial development will require a combination of private, State and overseas capital. In order to control our own destiny a National Government will favour industrial development on the basis of New Zealand ownership and majority control.  VII. EXPORT PROMOTION.  A National Government will encourage and assist New Zealand industry to build up overseas markets and to increase the volume of manufactured exports.  VIII. SMALL BUSINESS.  A National Government, recognising the increasing importance of small business in the New Zealand industrial sector and in the maintenance of an effective modern democracy, will develop as a major part of its industrial development policy a comprehensive small business programme to assist in the diversification and development of New Zealand industry.  IX. FEWER RESTRICTIONS AND RESTRAINTS.  A National Government will ensure that State-imposed restrictions and restraints are kept to a minimum.  X. INCENTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENT.  A National Government will provide the industrial sector with a wide range of incentives and every measure of encouragement to pursue and to achieve national and regional development objectives.  SMALL BUSINESS.  I. PHILOSOPHY.  A National Government will assist and strengthen small business as an essential element in a strong competitive New Zealand economy. We believe comprehensive measures are necessary to support.  * an independent enterprise system which will help maintain democracy by balancing the competing interests of government, big business and trade unionism.  * a vigorous diverse private sector as the driving force of a modern economy.  II. SMALL BUSINESS AGENCY.  A National Government will establish a Small Business Agency with regional offices to help people help themselves. It will work in close co-operation with Regional Councils, and independent enterprise, to stimulate small business. The Agency will develop, in conjunction with other institutions.  * investment, credit and guarantee schemes.  * export and trade assistance programmes.  * Government order and supply assistance programmes.  The Agency will co-operate with Government, educational institutions and independent agencies in maintaining and developing programmes for.  * management assistance.  * work training.  * technological assistance.  III. DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION.  A National Government will utilise the Development Finance Corporation to initiate and expand investment and credit assistance for small business.  IV. INVENTIONS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.  A National Government will expand the work of the Inventions Development Authority. We will encourage it, in conjunction with the Small Business Agency, to provide for the commercial development of inventions. It will work with Government, educational institutions and independent agencies for the more rapid and effective development of New Zealand inventions.  V. DESIGN COUNCIL.  A National Government will expand the work of the National Design Council and encourage it to give special emphasis to the needs of small business.  VI. RESOURCES COMMISSION.  The Resources Commission to be established by a National Government will co-operate closely with the Small Business Agency to provide resource evaluation for small business enterprises.  VII. MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMISSION.  A National Government will expand the present industrial training service and establish a Management Training and Technological Commission (attached to the Department of Labour) to work with the Small Business Agency.  * in upgrading management and training skills in small business.  * in arranging for the more rapid transmission of technological knowledge.  * in developing the link between the technologist and the technician by improved communication between the University, Polytechnics and industry.  PROTECTION FOR NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY.  I. PHILOSOPHY.  In a changing and uncertain world, the National Party believes special protective measures are required to maintain industry in New Zealand's small and diverse economy.  A National Government will provide strong and effective protective measures for New Zealand industries as a basis for a strategy for industrial growth related to New Zealand's long term interests as an independent nation.  II. CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL.  Because of the importance of developing firm protective policies in co-operation with industry, a National Government will establish a Consultative Council based on the Cabinet Economic Committee, the Manufacturers' Federation and the Manufacturing Council of the National Development Conference to establish the basic growth strategy for New Zealand industry and keep under constant review protective measures required for New Zealand industries.  III. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.  A National Government will establish an Industrial Development Commission replacing the Tariff and Development Board to administer the basic growth strategy for New Zealand industry and the protective system required.  IV. IMPORT LICENSING.  A National Government will use import licensing as a flexible means of protection for products manufactured in New Zealand.  V. TARIFFS.  A National Government will review the nation's tariff requirements in this time of uncertainty in world trade and finance to ensure a desirable rate of growth for each industry.  VI. EMERGENCY PROTECTION AUTHORITY.  A National Government will incorporate the Emergency Protection Authority as an independent section of the Industrial Development Commission to provide for urgent action where immediate protective measures are required.  VII. SPECIAL LICENCES.  A National Government will use token licences for comparative and competitive purposes in a selected range of goods. It will establish criteria for New Importers Licences in selected goods for qualifying firms without an existing entitlement. This will include those falling within the area of the Small Business Policy.  HUMAN RIGHTS.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. R. D. Muldoon.  Announced February 3rd, 1975 by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon, following a meeting of the Dominion Policy Committee.  POLICY FOR A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.  SUMMARY.  The National Party is concerned with the expansion of governmental and administrative power in today's society, and believes it is essential that a continuous effort is made to protect the rights of the individual, the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon, said today, following a meeting of the Party's Policy Committee.  "Consequently, the National Party, which places priority on the rights of the individual, intends to establish a Human Rights Commission - extending the office of the Ombudsman originally introduced by a National Government to investigate complaints of inefficiency, maladministration and discrimination, and ensure that the exercise of power remains under continuous scrutiny.  "The Human Rights Commission will be a body of Ombudsmen and will have the overall authority to investigate complaints laid against government departments and organisations, local organisations, industrial associations and unions, and complaints of discrimination on the grounds of race, sex  or religion. It is proposed that offices will be established in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.  "The Human Rights Commission will include the present Ombudsman's jurisdiction and the currently proposed extensions to cover local government.  Further, it will include investigations of malpractices in the management and conduct of industrial unions and associations.  HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.  I. PHILOSOPHY.  The National Party's philosophy emphasises the primary importance of the individual. Each individual person possesses basic rights balanced by duties owed to his community and his country.  As government and administrative powers expand to meet the needs of a complex modern society, the National Party believes the Government has a special duty to check continuously that its power, and that of all associations and bodies exercising administrative power over the individual, is open to complaint and scrutiny.  The success of the Ombudsman, a creation of the second National Government, in making individuals aware of their rights, in providing a channel of complaint and in checking inefficiency, maladministration and discrimination is widely accepted.  Its extension to Local Government continues this success, and fully justified the expansion of the system to ensure for the future that the rights of the individual continue to be as fully protected by the rule of law and the principles of equity as possible.  The third National Government will accordingly establish a Human Rights Commission based on the institution of the Ombudsman to consider complaints and bring the exercise of power under scrutiny.  II. CONSTITUTION.  The Human Rights Commission will consist of a group of Ombudsmen with separate but equal jurisdiction, the most senior of whom shall be the Chief Ombudsman and shall have the overall supervision to determine to which Ombudsman any complaint may be laid.  In general terms, their task will include investigating complaints against inefficiency, maladministration, inequity, and discrimination in the fields of.  Government Departments.  Government Organisations.  Local Organisations.  Industrial Associations and Unions.  Race.  Sex.  Religion.  III. STRUCTURE.  The appointment of each Ombudsman will be on the recommendation of the House of Representatives, after consultation with appropriate ministers. The terms of each appointment will be the same as the present Ombudsman.  Special regard will be had to the oaths of secrecy, and preventing an appointee from holding any other office which may lead to a conflict of interests.  IV. OFFICES.  The Ombudsmen will have offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The Head Office will be in Wellington, and all complaints will be made through it.  V. FUNCTIONS.  The functions of the Ombudsmen will extend beyond those of the present Ombudsman. They will include.  The power as at present to investigate and report on written complaints made to them, and matters referred to them by the House of Representatives, or to make investigations on their own initiative.  The extended jurisdiction will initially require Ombudsmen to investigate unlawful discrimination and breaches of human rights, by reason of race, colour, sex, religious beliefs or ethnic or national origins, in.  (a) public access to places, vehicles and facilities.  (b) provision of goods and services.  (c) land, housing, accommodation and financing same.  (d) advertisements.  (e) employment.  (f) equal pay.  (g) membership of an industrial union or association, or holding office in the same.  (h) inciting disharmony.  The extended jurisdiction will also require Ombudsmen to investigate inefficient administration and maladministration in the management and conduct of industrial unions and associations.  Discretion. The Ombudsmen may refuse to investigate a complaint where, in their opinion, it is stale, not in good faith, made with insufficient personal interest, not worthy of investigation, or where the complainant has not exhausted available remedies or the aggrieved person does not want an investigation.  Confidentiality. When making an investigation, the same standards of informing concerned parties, privacy and secrecy as are maintained by the present Ombudsman, will be preserved.  LAND ACQUISITION.  A POLICY STATEMENT.  Announced 7th May, 1975, by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  A National Government will adhere to the following procedures where the Government purchases land for specific development projects.  1. Land will be purchased by negotiation with existing owners and the issuing of proclamations under the Public Works' Act for the taking of land will be limited to areas required for such public utilities as electricity generation, hospitals, schools or motorways.  2. Compensation will be generous and will take account of special circumstances when land is taken in the public interest. Compensation will be based on the principle of a home (or a farm) for a home (or a farm) of equal standard.  3. Land owners will, in all cases, have the right of appeal to the Land Valuation Court where compensation cannot be agreed to.  TERTIARY EDUCATION BURSARIES  SPOKESMAN. Hon. L.W. Gandar.  Announced May 30th, 1975, by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  A National Government will.  * retain the present level of allowances paid to student teachers.  * place technical institute students on the same relative basis as university students.  * increase the value of bursaries to take into account increased costs since the last adjustment and thereafter increase them annually.  * consult with student bodies and professional organisations on other aspects of reform of the bursary system.  SUPERANNUATION.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  Air Commodore T.F. Gill (Social Welfare Aspects)  EMBARGO. This statement must not be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or its content paraphrased in any publication or broadcast before 1 p.m. on TUESDAY, JUNE 24th, 1975.  THE NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.  The next National Government will abolish the present New Zealand Superannuation Scheme and replace it with a pay-as-you-go, flat-rate superannuation financed out of ordinary government revenue.  The National Superannuation Scheme will pay retirement pensions to all New Zealand residents of ten years standing who are aged 60 years or more. The scheme will replace the present age benefit and universal superannuation.  Benefits under the new scheme will be available as of right and will not be subject to any means test or income test and will provide substantially higher cash-in-hand payments to those over 60 who are presently receiving State benefits.  National Superannuation will be phased in over a period of three years. Benefits will be taxed at source and will be regarded as taxable income.  National Superannuation benefits will be paid at one of two rates - married and single. The rate for a married couple will be 80% of the statistically determined average ordinary time weekly wage and the single rate will be 60% of the married rate.  The National Superannuation benefits will be recalculated every six months according to movements taking place in the level of the average weekly wage.  The National Superannuation Scheme will be cheaper, both to the individual and the country, than the present New Zealand Superannuation Scheme, yet will provide bigger cash-in-hand benefits than superannuitants could have expected had the New Zealand scheme been fully functional.  Under the National Superannuation scheme retired persons will receive a benefit which is determined by the level of contemporary wage rates and which is related in spending power to contemporary prices and costs. Such a pension cannot be eroded by inflation.  Every New Zealander of 60 years of age or more who has lived in New Zealand for at least ten years will receive National Superannuation regardless of whether they have been in paid employment and regardless of how much tax they have paid during their working lives. It will therefore include present age beneficiaries and housewives, all of whom are excluded from the present government scheme.  If the National Superannuation scheme was fully in operation at November 1, 1975, which regrettably it cannot be, the gross weekly benefit to a married couple would be $79.20, that being 80% of the (estimated) average weekly (ordinary time) wage. The rate for a single person would be $47.52.  The benefit for a married couple will be paid in equal amounts to each partner and each would therefore receive, on this example, and at current rates of tax, a net $34.68 per week, making a net, cash-in-hand combined benefit of $69.36. The single person would receive a net $40.92 per week.  Payments will be made according to the wishes of the superannuitant - by payment voucher books, cheques, or by direct credit to a bank account.  The net $69.36 per week payable to a married couple and the net $40.92 payable to a single superannuitant under the National Scheme compares with the present age benefit of $17.90 for a married couple and $28.75 for a single beneficiary.  PHASING IN.  The National Superannuation Scheme will be phased in over three years and in a manner that will disadvantage no-one. Step 1, in 1976, will involve the removal of the income test, the merging of the age benefit and universal superannuation to form the National Superannuation, a rise in the net benefit and the introduction of tax deductions. Step 2 in 1977 and Step 3 in 1978 will provide increases in the level of superannuation payments to their full level under the determining formula.  THE COST.  Under the present government scheme at least 8% of salaries and wages, other than those of the self-employed and persons now over the age of 55 will be taken into the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, and the first full benefit will not be paid to anyone until the year 2028.  The National Superannuation Scheme will require the equivalent of no more than 5% of salaries and wages to pay benefits as good as those envisaged by the present scheme, plus the age benefit, but will pay them to the present generation of retired people and will not be financed by deductions from salaries and wages, but from general taxation.  The National Superannuation Scheme will be in full operation in three years, not in 53 years.  The cost of the National scheme will vary, of course, according to movements in the level of the average weekly wage, but if the scheme was fully in operation at November 1 1975, and on the basis of estimated wage levels at that time, the annual cost of the scheme would be a net $275 million.  If the Labour Government scheme was fully operating at the same date it would require $250 million a year to benefit a very much smaller number of people - only that half of the work force which, it is estimated, will be contributors to the New Zealand scheme.  In the introductory years the sum required by the National Superannuation Scheme will, of course, be much smaller. The National Party is satisfied that the money required can be found from the increased volume of taxation which naturally accrues year by year with the growth of incomes.  The National Scheme will be administered by the Department of Social Welfare with consequent savings in administrative costs stemming from the abolition of income testing of Age Beneficiaries.  CONTRIBUTIONS REFUNDED.  The next National Government will abolish the Labour Government's superannuation scheme and all balances in that scheme will be refunded, including the employers' contributions, to employee account holders. No interest will be paid but the amounts will be treated as tax free.  PRIVATE SCHEMES.  As the New Zealand scheme is dismantled, a National Government will consult with private scheme operators to ensure that any adverse side effects are minimised.  Private schemes will be treated as second tier, or supplementary schemes, and this field of activity will return to the situation existing before April 1, 1975.  The National Party, as the Government, will continue to give generous taxation concessions to the contributors to second tier schemes, which will be able to develop as before.  EFFECTS ON OTHER BENEFITS.  Special provision will be made for the under-60-year-old wife of a husband drawing on the superannuation benefit, for single women over 55 years and for other benefits paid to those over 60 years of age. These benefits along with Supplementary Benefits, will continue as before, subject to correspondingly upgraded income tests. Concessionary benefits, such as reduced rates, telephone rentals, etc., will continue, subject to income tests.  The monetary advantages over other beneficiaries enjoyed by War Pensioners will be maintained.  Those single women aged between 55 and 60 who at present receive the age benefit will receive the domestic purposes benefit.  Women under 60 who are married to over 60 husbands will receive the married individual rate of National Superannuation, subject to an income test on both. The over 60 husband will receive National Superannuation regardless of whether his wife is eligible.  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.  Following the announcement by the Government of a beneficiaries cost index, and corresponding increases in the various benefits, the National Party will release its policy for all other Social Security benefits such as widows, invalids, domestic purposes, sickness, miners and unemployment. These will be increased but the traditional relationship between the monetary value of these and the rate of the age benefit will be broken as a consequence of the merger of the age benefit into the new National Superannuation Scheme.  CONCLUSION.  The National Party believes that a superannuation which ensures a comfortable standard of living for all New Zealanders over 60 years of age, and not just salary and wage earners, should be available as of right. It believes that such a scheme should not discriminate against any group in the community, as the Labour Government's scheme discriminates, for example, against housewives.  The National Party also believes that a National Superannuation Scheme should provide a retirement income that is realistic in its relationship to contemporary wage rates and cost of living. It believes that the formula embodied in the proposals for a National Superannuation Scheme will make this possible.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. J.B. Gordon.  INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  NATIONAL'S LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS POLICY.  SUMMARY.  Believing democratically-run industrial unions to be good for workers, their industries, production and the country, a National Government will provide for secret ballots giving workers in every industry the choice of voluntary or compulsory unionism. The Department of Labour will conduct these ballots. The conditions for granting appeals for exemption from compulsory unionism will be reviewed.  A National Government will insist on respect for properly constituted industrial courts, tribunals and like authorities, convinced that these are as vital to the health of a democratic society as the other forms of judicial process which protect both the rights of the individual and the community.  National will continue its support for that provision of the United Nations Charter on Human Rights which gives the worker the right of freedom of association and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 which gives the worker the right to strike in certain circumstances. The Human Rights Commission it will set up will, among other things, cover complaints of victimisation or intimidation in industrial unions.  Safe and suitable working conditions will be insisted on and, if necessary, enforced. An employer's right to take on and put off staff is upheld, subject to legal redress where such right is improperly or unfairly exercised. National accepts the concept of redundancy payments for long-service workers and a community responsibility to assist those affected in redundancy situations brought about in the national interest.  Believing in the right of remedy by civil action of those, including third parties, affected by unlawful strike action or lockouts, a National Government will reintroduce penalties for illegal industrial actions against the public interest and for breaches of the Industrial Relations Act.  National introduced and will continue to support equal pay for women giving equal work. It will fulfil its previous undertakings by ensuring there is no sex discrimination in job opportunity or promotion.  Worker involvement by share-bonus issues and/or a say in technical management will be supported.  A National Government will review the status of the Department of Labour by creating separate divisions. A safety in industry division will be given high priority in this rearrangement, with a direct line of communication to the Minister.  This labour and industrial relations policy which the next National Government will implement is based on its conviction that good industrial relations are the key to real social and economic progress. To bring these about it will take every reasonable step to further promote among workers - including management - at all levels an increasing sense of their responsibility to their country and everyone in it. Clear lines of communication between all parties will be established to achieve this and improved ways found to promote a better understanding of the viewpoints and problems of opposing parties.  THE POLICY IN DETAIL.  1. INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  A. Rights.  The industrial rights of people include.  The choice of employment.  A safe and congenial working environment.  A fair reward related to skills, responsibilities, a share in increased productivity and conditions of work that will provide a basis for a satisfactory individual and family life.  Education and training to increase skills and improve promotion prospects.  Protection against avoidable unemployment.  A remedy for unjust dismissal, exploitation, intimidation or inducement of breach of contract.  Reasonable hours, adequate leisure and paid holidays.  B. Responsibilities.  With these rights, go responsibilities. These include.  Working within the law and honouring agreements, thus ensuring recognition and respect for the rights of fellow workers, employers and the community.  A fair effort for a fair reward.  The maintenance of essential public services.  2. INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY.  Industrial democracy being as important as political democracy, workers should have the right to administer their own affairs by a majority vote.  A National Government will work for effective industrial democracy by providing for.  A. Secret and, where necessary, postal ballots supervised by the Department of Labour on a choice of compulsory or voluntary unionism.  B. Regular and secret elections by the full membership of a union for the management of that union.  C. Secret ballots, where required, on strike action.  D. Requiring unions to inform all members of decisions affecting their work and interests.  E. Encouraging worker participation in decision making affecting their interests at both the managerial and board level.  F. Encouraging workers to organise internal works councils or societies for effective broad spectrum consultation with management on a regular basis.  3. INDUSTRIAL HARMONY.  Arbitration and Conciliation.  A National Government will strengthen the system of arbitration and conciliation by.  * Retaining the three industrial institutions introduced by a National Government. These are the Industrial Relations Council, to advise the Government on industrial policy. The Industrial Commission to arbitrate on disputes of interest (a dispute created to settle terms and conditions of employment of employees in any industry in a collective agreement or award). the Industrial Court, to determine and settle disputes of right, (the interpretation, application or operation of a collective agreement or award, or an enactment or contract of employment related to such agreement or award).  The work of these three institutions will be reviewed and expanded as required. Industrial relations will have an Advocacy Service under independent supervision, and the Industrial Court will, in addition, have' extended powers, and also hear appeals.  * The Labour Department will be strengthened by creating separate divisions of safety. education, apprenticeship and welfare. employment. Industrial Court and Council. the Registrar of Unions, and administrative divisions. The Registrar will be given additional powers covering the rules and administration of union affairs.  * Increase the number of Industrial Mediators.  Widen the use of compulsory conference process.  Worker Involvement.  The National Party believes that improved understanding of industrial problems would be assisted by greater worker involvement in industry. The National Government will establish in the Department of Labour a section to assist and advise industry on schemes of worker involvement. This section will publicise and make employers further aware of the various types of worker involvement schemes available, encourage both employers and staff to adopt schemes best suited to individual enterprises and to assist, if required, with their introduction.  Worker involvement schemes are intended to supplement, not usurp, the role of trade unions and to create closer relations and a better understanding between the individual employer and his employees. Job satisfaction can be encouraged through worker involvement in technical decision-making within plants, and in shareholding in industry.  Accordingly, a National Government will.  * Encourage employers and employees to develop methods to buy shares in the companies they work for.  * Make every worker increasingly effective through speedier introduction of in-service training, better technology, management techniques and control methods.  * Encourage profit sharing by workers and groups within industries.  Industrial Rights.  The National Party believes industrial harmony depends on accepting basic rights, including in particular balancing freedom o association and the right not to be compelled to belong to an association. Towards this end, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the National Party believes workers should themselves have the right to decide whether the unqualified preference clause (which makes membership of a union compulsory) should apply to their unions. A National Government will change the law to give workers an effective means to decide whether their unions should be compulsory or voluntary. Such legislation will provide that.  * Secret Ballot - All workers who would be bound by the provisions of any award covering their work will be able to vote in a secret ballot carried out by the Labour Department to determine by majority vote whether membership of their union shall be compulsory or voluntary.  * Declaration - On the outcome of each ballot the Registrar of the Labour Department shall declare the membership of the union covering that trade, occupation or industry to be either compulsory or voluntary.  * Compulsory Unionism - Will require all members of the same or similar occupation declared a compulsory union to be members of the appropriate union. Provision will be made for the member of that industry to be exempt if he fulfils certain conditions. The union shall negotiate awards and agreements.  * Voluntary Unionism - It will open to the members of a declared voluntary trade, occupation or industry to associate in, or organise, a society which can be registered as a union but it shall be unlawful to require union membership in an agreement or award. Award of agreement negotiations shall be made with the employer by representatives of any voluntary union or unions within the industry and/or by representatives of the industrial relations Advocacy Service who shall represent those workers who are not union members.  (Note. Appendix A covers details).  4. EXEMPTION FROM COMPULSORY MEMBERSHIP.  A National Government will review the terms and conditions on which application can be made for exemption from compulsory membership of a registered union.  Trust Fund.  A National Government will establish a Trust Fund to be administered by the Industrial Relations Council for the purposes of encouraging the education, understanding and advocacy of industrial negotiations.  For those who are allowed to opt out of compulsory unions, the appropriate fees will in future be paid into such a fund.  5. REDUNDANCY.  National accepts the concept of redundancy payments for long-service workers forced to leave permanent employment through factors beyond the control of the employer and for whom no suitable permanent work is available. Where changes which cause redundancy situations are in the national interest, the community has a role to assist those disadvantaged.  6. THE RULE OF LAW.  A National Government will ensure.  * The right by.  (a) any person directly affected by a strike, or.  (b) a Minister of the Crown where the public interest is threatened to seek an order from the Industrial Court for the resumption of work.  * The opportunity for civil action for damages arising from non-industrial action of trade unions.  * The control of union affairs and finances by rules and methods agreed by the membership and subject to regular audit by the Industrial Commission.  * The right to lawful protection against arbitrary interference with the privacy of an individual, or his family, or property, and attacks upon his honour and reputation.  * Aggrieved individuals, whether employers, employees or innocent third parties, will be able to approach the Human Rights Commission (which the National Government proposes to set up) for advice on the best course of action open to them and where to go to seek help in remedying their industrial problems.  * National will reinstate those clauses from the 1972 Act defining illegal strikes which were deleted by the Labour Government.  7. AMALGAMATION OF UNIONS.  National will, with the co-operation of the F.O.L., encourage union amalgamation at plant level, regionally and nationally, where feasible.  8. FREEZING WORKS - AN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY.  National will legislate to make Freezing Works an essential industry under the First Schedule of the Industrial Relations Act and will include a penalty to be imposed on the union for failure to kill all stock on hand before taking strike action. Likewise, the employers will be liable for a penalty for an unjustified lockout.  9. FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION.  The National Party on becoming Government will take steps to accord the Farm Workers Association of New Zealand full rights of representation for its workers even if this means by legislation.  APPENDIX A.  BALLOT FOR VOLUNTARY UNIONISM (Methods Recommended).  COMPULSORY BALLOT.  Amending legislation shall provide that within three years of its commencement, a compulsory secret ballot conducted by the Department of Labour shall be held among the workers of each trade, occupation or industry, either nationally, within a defined geographical region or within a plant, in an order determined by the Minister in consultation with the Industrial Relations Council, to determine whether membership of the union covering that trade, occupation or industry shall be compulsory or voluntary.  Declaration.  The Registrar of Industrial Unions shall declare the membership of the union covering that trade, occupation or industry to be either compulsory or voluntary depending on whether the majority of those voting favoured compulsory or voluntary union membership.  The declaration that membership of a union covering a trade, occupation or industry, is either compulsory or voluntary shall stand until it is lifted by the Registrar following a majority vote in a secret ballot conducted by the Department of Labour not less than three years after the last ballot on the subject, which favours of change in union status. The result of a ballot shall stand for three years. After the expiry of three years a further ballot can be petitioned for by 10 per cent of those covered by an award, or of all workers employed within that trade or industry.  COMPULSORY UNIONISM.  This will require all workers of the same or similar occupation covered by a ballot to be members of the appropriate union. In awards and agreements, compulsory membership may be written in. Where a member of a union that has voted to be compulsory finds either as a matter of conscience or as a matter of principle he wishes to be exempt from membership he shall apply by statutory declaration to a Committee which shall determine his application, if necessary, after hearing the applicant in person. If his application is successful then he shall not participate in any union activities, but he shall be obliged to pay the equivalent of the basic union fee to a trust fund to be operated by the Industrial Relations Council for educational or other approved purposes.  A member granted such exemption will.  * be protected by law from victimisation by union members.  * lose all voting privileges in the union.  * play no role in the union administration.  * not be required to pay welfare, fighting fund, research or political levies.  * be debarred from forming any counter association to the union.  The union shall negotiate all awards and agreements the provisions of which relating to wages and conditions shall apply to successful applicants objecting to compulsory membership.  VOLUNTARY UNIONISM.  It shall be unlawful to write into any award or agreement a requirement for membership of an industrial union of workers where that trade, occupation or industry has been declared voluntary, but it shall be lawful for the workers in a voluntary trade, occupation or industry to form or join a society that may apply for registration as a union, or join an existing union, or to organise such associations of a voluntary character as they may wish to provide for social, welfare or similar services in any industry or plant.  Registration by the Registrar of a Voluntary Union.  The Registrar shall register a voluntary society as an industrial union of workers for any trade, occupation or industry when the society can show that it has a membership of 25% of the potential workforce for that trade, occupation or industry, and that registered union shall then be entitled to proportional representation at the conciliation table with the industrial relations Advocacy Service. Where there is more than one society which could qualify as the registered union then the Registrar shall register that society as a union which has numerically the greatest number of members among the workforce of that trade, occupation or industry.  Negotiations.  Award or agreement negotiations shall be made with the employer by the representatives of any registered voluntary union or unions within the industry and/or by representatives of the industrial relations Advocacy Service, who shall represent those workers who are not members of a registered union.  Advocacy Service.  Appropraite (Appropriate?) legislation will include the formation of the Advocacy Service. This shall be a division of the Labour Department and shall be run in conjunction with, but independently of, the Conciliation Service. It shall be answerable to the Industrial Relations Council. Its appointees will represent those employees who are not members of a union.  The Industrial Relations Council Advocacy Service will be financed in this function by the State paying an annual per capita amount to cover its costs of providing appropriate assessors and advocates to adjust by agreement and conciliation wages and conditions for all voluntary workers.  Recognising the part unions play in wage and condition negotiations, the State would also pay an equivalent amount on a per capita basis to all unions involved in negotiations. By this method, protection is given in wage negotiations to those who choose not to join a union, while the union or unions are given an incentive by the receipt of a cash payment in recognition of their role in wage negotiations.  IMMIGRATION.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. J. B. Gordon.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  Embargoed. This policy statement is not to be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or to be paraphrased in any manner before 0030 hours on Tuesday July 22nd, 1975.  PHILOSOPHY.  National believes in controlled immigration.  National is concerned by the undue pressure created by excess immigration in the last three years and will act to protect the quality of life and living standards of all New Zealanders, by strictly controlling immigration from all sources, but with humanitarian factors paramount.  NUMBERS.  The 1971 National Development Council's Targets Advisory Group on Population and Migration set tentative limits of 10,000 immigrants per year. In prevailing economic conditions this number would be excessive.  A National Government will establish revised immigration criteria on the basis of economic needs and skills, selection from traditional sources and, where desirable, reciprocal arrangements with other countries.  National will, as soon as possible, undertake negotiations with other governments affected by such a policy, especially those of Australia, Fiji, the Netherlands, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Western Samoa. It will also initiate discussions with the Governments of the Cook and Niue Islands, and the administration of the Tokelau Islands, who have a special relationship with New Zealand.  CONDITIONS.  Immigration will be permitted on the basis of defined conditions. Particular attention will be given to.  (a) family links with New Zealanders, where priority will be given to.  - dependent relatives of New Zealand citizens (e.g. spouse, children and parents).  - dependent relatives of New Zealand residents.  - non dependent relatives of New Zealand citizens (e.g. brothers/sisters, adult children, self supporting parents).  - non-dependent relatives of New Zealand residents.  (b) the problem of refugees and war orphans.  PERMITS.  A National Government will continue to control immigration through the use of permits, except where there is a bilateral Government agreement granting exemptions.  Permits will not normally be granted to applicants who have been convicted of drug offences.  Visitors Permits.  These permits will normally be issued for periods not exceeding twelve months, and may be renewable at the discretion of the Minister. They will not carry the right of permanent residence and will not normally be convertible into residential permits.  National believes that visitors permits should be granted for a set period on proof of adequate funds and accommodation to maintain the visitor throughout his stay. Where sporting teams have received an invitation to play in New Zealand, appropriate visas will be granted. Visitors permits for tourists will normally be granted automatically.  Work Permits.  Because New Zealand will continue to need an inflow of skills of various kinds, a National Government will review the system of work permits and ensure that it will be related to economic requirements. Work permits will normally be issued to persons who intend to work in New Zealand for a limited period and do not seek the right of permanent residence. The National Government will preserve the opportunity, in certain circumstances, for work permit holders to apply for permanent residence.  Work permits will require.  (1) that the applicants for work permits must either have a guarantee of employment, or satisfy the Immigration Authorities that they are capable of supporting themselves and families for the duration of their stay.  (2) that applicants have the assurance of or the means for acquiring accommodation.  (3) that each permit is issued for a specific term related to the nature of the work being undertaken. In certain circumstances such as where costly training is involved, the term of a work permit may be extended.  Residential Permits.  A National Government recognises the importance of careful assessment of immigrants at the time of application and selection, and will accordingly review and update present policy and administration.  Procedures will include examination of the capacity of the individual immigrant and family to adapt to New Zealand society. An immigrant requesting permanent residence in New Zealand will normally be required to apply for residential status at the time of application to come to New Zealand.  CITIZENSHIP.  In order to place the qualification for citizenship on an equal footing for all prospective New Zealanders, a National Government will legislate to reduce the residential requirement for the grant of citizenship from five years residence (as is the present requirement for non-British subjects) to three years (the present requirement for British subjects).  DEPORTATION.  Immigrants who commit serious breaches of the law can be deported. The Courts will be encouraged to make appropriate use of the present provisions relating to deportation, which will be reviewed and strengthened if necessary.  For many years under various statutes, illegal immigrants have been automatically subject to deportation. Under the Aliens Act 1948 and the Immigration Act 1964 powers exist for deportation within five years of arrival. In addition, National will give the Minister of Immigration the discretion to deport any person who, within two years of his arrival, is convicted of an offence punishable with a term of imprisonment.  DISCRETION.  The Minister shall continue to have a discretion regarding any application concerning immigration, not only regarding applicants within the Policy defined, but for exceptions covering such cases as world refugee and orphan problems.  SCIENCE POLICY.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  The National Party believes the needs of society should be the prime objective of a Science Policy and that the continuous use of science and technology is essential for the well-being of the people and the sustained development of New Zealand.  The efficiency of farming, manufacturing and servicing industries, the wise husbandry of natural resources and the improvement of the quality of life all depend on the application of high quality science.  New Zealand is well placed to develop its own science-based industries and to take advantage of overseas developments applicable to New Zealand conditions. The National Party will encourage industrial development on this basis.  Because of the part science will play in every phase of future development, a National Government will.  1. Organisation.  Expand the role of the Minister of Science and broaden the Cabinet Science Committee to develop and utilise New Zealand's scientific and technological capacity to the full.  Establish a Ministry of Science and Technology.  to manage the nation's scientific effort.  to co-ordinate the Science Budget and provide advisory services to the Government.  And.  to appoint scientific advisers to key ministries.  Establish a Select Committee of the House for Education, Science and Technology to promote a greater awareness of New Zealand's scientific and technological opportunities and needs.  2. Science Future.  Encourage all endeavours by scientists and technologists to co-operate with the Commission for the Future set up in the National Development Policy.  3. Social Research.  Attach great importance to the social implication of economic and technological growth, especially in the fields of law and order, social welfare, industrial relations, town planning and the environment, and lay great stress on the financing of social science research.  4. Research Facilities.  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, especially in new areas likely to be significant to the future development of New Zealand, for example energy and processing industries associated with our natural resources.  5. Research Co-operation.  Seek to make the greatest 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 be given to joint ventures in scientific research and education by Government agencies, universities and industry.  6. Science Training.  Ensure that well-trained science teachers are provided to enable young New Zealanders to train for careers in science so that they may enthusiastically grasp their opportunities for shaping New Zealand's future.  It is essential that New Zealand should have a scientific work-force trained to its full capacity, to international standards and motivated so that its work, whether fundamental or applied, shall improve the welfare of New Zealand.  7. Project Grants.  Increase grants to universities and to industry for research projects of national importance and encourage further research in order that understanding of possible new scientific innovation may be well ahead of immediate needs.  8. Extension.  Expand extension services in both agriculture and manufacturing in order to ensure more rapid adoption of scientific advances and to encourage scientific thinking to permeate industry. Special assistance will be given to manufacturers who are prepared to apply new scientific findings.  9. Science Councils.  Support the activities of the science-based councils, the existing research associations and encourage the formation of new ones in order that the standard of scientific research may be continually raised.  10. International Science.  Encourage New Zealand's participation in international science, and make 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.  11. Aid.  Continue to make provision for New Zealand scientists to play a full part in our programme of assistance to developing countries, especially in fields where they have special expertise.  MAORI AFFAIRS POLICY.  SPOKESMAN. V. S. Young.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  THE NATIONAL PARTY BELIEVES THAT GOOD RACE RELATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND RESTS ON EVERY RACE HAVING A SELF RELIANCE AND A VIGOROUS CULTURE - ALL CITIZENS SHARING SIMILAR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES - ALL CITIZENS HAVING TOLERANCE TOWARDS OTHERS AND A COMMON UNDERSTANDING AND A SENSE OF NATIONAL PURPOSE.  THE NATIONAL PARTY BELIEVES THAT A MAORI AFFAIRS POLICY SHOULD PROMOTE MAORI CULTURE IN ITS WIDEST SENSE AND SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITY OF NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY.  1. THE TREATY OF WAITANGI.  (a) A National Government will provide that New Zealand laws are regularly examined to ensure they embody the spirit and the obligations contained in the Treaty of Waitangi.  (b) February the 6th will be renamed Waitangi Day as a lasting commemoration of the Treaty on which New Zealand's multi-cultural society is founded.  2. LAND.  National recognises the traditional ties Maori people have with their land and will encourage both its retention and use.  (a) Rural Development and Reconstruction.  With its economic as well as cultural significance, Maori land will be developed for farming and forestry. Furthermore, small rural labour-intensive industries, horticulture and craft occupations to retain and attract Maori labour to rural areas will be encouraged. The Maori people's special knowledge of fishing will be used to establish fishing industries where practical.  (b) Finance.  The Rural Bank will be required to join with the Maori Trustee and the Maori Affairs Department.  (i) to assist Maori owners to keep land in Maori ownership.  (ii) to help in Maori land development for farming, forestry, industrial or commercial purposes.  (iii) to make finance available to purchase land for encouraging economic farming proposals for Maori farmers.  (iv) to assist any owner who wishes to retain a share in ancestral land.  The Maori Affairs Department will be instructed to explore the changes needed to encourage traditional finance lenders to lend on economic ventures on Maori land.  3. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT.  National will review the Town and Country Planning Act as it affects Maori land, particularly historic sites and will amend the Act so that the legislation takes account of Maori cultural and historic values.  4. ADMINISTRATION.  (a) There will be regular examinations of all aspects of the administration of the Maori Affairs Department and the Maori Trustee's Office and the Maori Land Court with the major objective of giving Maori land owners greater opportunity to manage their own land.  (b) National will recruit, train and ensure employment for Maori men and women for a wide range of occupations and interests that will lead to roles of leadership within New Zealand.  5. 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 provide assistance for Maori people to establish. their own enterprises on individual or co-operative bases.  6. MUTUAL RESPECT  To encourage mutual respect and standing for Maori and European cultures in New Zealand, National will extend opportunities for the understanding and acceptance of different cultural values and.  (a) assist with seminars and public discussions aimed at improving mutual understanding.  (b) urge the use of Maori maraes wherever possible to extend a wider knowledge of Maori tradition.  (c) develop a greater appreciation of the Maori language and traditions in schools.  (d) promote the use of Maori art motiffs on public buildings, New Zealand publicity, stamps, etc..  (e) provide grants, loans and subsidies for the establishment of urban maraes and the preservation and upgrading of traditional rural maraes.  7. MAORI ARTS COUNCIL.  National will establish a Maori Arts Council to encourage Maori writers, artists and composers. The Council will promote the objectives of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Rotorua and the Polynesian Festival.  The National Party believes that it is through education that the Maori people can best attain self-reliance in both the rural and the urban environments, and will support the objectives of the Maori Education Foundation, with emphasis on assistance for the under-privileged Maori child. Maori trade training, adult apprenticeship and pre-employment schemes will be extended.  National will.  (a) involve Maori parents in setting education priorities and will emphasise this in pre-school education.  (b) increase the numbers and ranges of trade training schemes, and avoid unnecessary centralisation by establishing special courses (particularly those of use to rural industries) in regional centres.  (c) establish special study facilities and five day hostels, for, rural Maori students where necessary.  (d) give special assistance for the full understanding of the English language by all ethnic groups.  (e) encourage and facilitate the re-entry of teenagers and adults into the education system.  (f) support the special role in New Zealand society that is provided by Maori Church Schools.  (g) ensure that schools have Maori language, history and contemporary life taught as part of New Zealand's national heritage.  (h) expand the present one year Maori language/ Maori studies course that provides specialist teachers in secondary schools to enable similar requirements in intermediate and primary schools to be met.  (i) ensure that the preparation of teachers includes counselling for Maori and Pacific Island children in need.  (j) have pre-school and kindergarten recruitment provide for more Maori teachers in this important role.  (k) provide workshop centres on campus which will cater adequately for each basic Maori arts and craft activities as carving, weaving, tukutuku, taniko, and kowhaiwhai work at training colleges.  9. URBAN CHALLENGE.  (a) National attaches special importance to helping Maori citizens face the challenge of adjustment to urban life and will give financial support for the development of urban maraes and community centres.  (b) National will support Maori elders, wardens, social workers and community leaders to ensure that young Maoris assume their full roles of citizenship and appreciate their rights and responsibilities under the law.  (c) National will recruit and train additional community officers and encourage voluntary groups to assist Maori offenders faced with a judicial system they cannot understand.  (d) National will ensure that duty solicitors are available at courts to advise offenders where required.  10. HOUSING.  (a) National believes the most important advances have been in the construction of Maori housing and will continue to give special emphasis to this.  (b) National will encourage county councils to permit the establishment of Maori homes in country areas with particular emphasis on the building of retirement homes on or near rural maraes. Local authorities will receive the usual subsidy rates for building Maori pensioner flats on or adjacent to urban and rural maraes.  (c) Finance will be provided for the additional accommodation required where elderly parents live with their families.  11. PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION.  (a) National affirms that the four present Maori seats in Parliament provide an essential Maori presence in Parliament.  (b) National affirms that when the Maori people signify they no longer desire separate representation there should be a single electoral roll.  (c) National will continue to encourage Maori men and women to seek selection as Parliamentary candidates in any seat of their choosing.  POST OFFICE POLICY.  SPOKESMAN.. H. R. Lapwood.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  The Post Office in New Zealand is a highly efficient servicing Department providing communication, postal and banking facilities for every New Zealand citizen at its 1200 offices. A National Government will, therefore, upgrade and expand these services wherever possible.  1. POSTAL.  The National Government will promote an efficient and quick mail service within New Zealand and overseas.  The efficiency of any economy is dependent on effective postal services.  2. TELECOMMUNICATIONS.  The telecommunications system is of vital importance. The National Government introduced cross bar equipment to New Zealand thereby enabling the introduction of subscriber toll dialling. The Post Office, through the Communications Commission, will remain responsible for technical control of all telecommunications in New Zealand.  The Post Office will also be responsible for the Cablevision System as outlined in the National Party communications Policy.  The National Government will speed up the cabling programme and reduce waiting lists for automatic telephone connections.  3. SAVINGS BANK.  A National Government will continue to promote savings with the Post Office Savings Bank and will maintain and improve the attractiveness of its services. To this extent the Government will continue close consultation with the appropriate authorities.  4. GENERAL SERVICES - for other Departments and Local Bodies.  (i) Local Body Accounts.  The services to the public from the Post office are extremely efficient and it is therefore a National Government's intention to extend these.  The Post Office will provide facilities for the payment of Local Body accounts where it is desired. This will include payment of rates and power bills through the Post Office to the appropriate Local Authority.  (ii) Motor Relicensing and Registration.  A National Government will investigate the possibility of placing the registration and annual licensing of motor vehicles on computer so that accounts can be issued (as for T.V. licenses) 12 months from the date of original registration. This will do away with the necessity for car owners to queue up each June to relicense vehicles and will spread the work over the 12 months period.  (iii) National Superannuation and Social Security Payments.  A National Government will arrange for those who so select for the payment into POSB Accounts of National Superannuation and all types of Social Security benefits and at the same time introduce an easy method of personal identification. This will eliminate the costly system - such disliked by most of those receiving benefits - of delivery by post to a fixed address. It will enable National Superannuation and social security payments to be readily available at any of the 1200 Post Offices throughout New Zealand. People away from home - such as those on holiday or living temporarily with relatives, will thus be able to draw National Superannuation and Social Security benefits at the nearest Post Office. It will eliminate the chance of vouchers being lost or misplaced and could be credited to accounts fortnightly if desired.  4. COMPUTER DIVISION.  A comprehensive programme will be followed for extending the application of computers to a wide range of Post Office operations where economies and improved efficiency and service will result.  SPOKESMAN. H. R. Lapwood.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon., R.D. Muldoon.  TOURISM POLICY.  New Zealand is a world in miniature.  Tourism in New Zealand provides something for everyone. Our scenic variety in a relatively small space. our merciful lack of pollution. our freedom from health hazards. New Zealanders are friendly people and we are privileged to have good food, clean water and to speak a common language. All these contribute to an ideal country for tourism.  National is aware that long term planning is increasingly important in the tourist industry. We will need careful planning to meet our tourist accommodation commitments within the next five years.  The previous National Government laid the real foundations for the recent expansive growth in tourism. (Earnings from the industry today are no greater than the non-inflated value predicted by the National Government in 1972).  Tourism in New Zealand will be promoted as a first tier industry. It is National's intention to go ahead and assist the industry of private owners and their employees to help New Zealand provide an expanding tourist industry within the bounds of environmental and conservation control. A National Government will not expand State activities in competition with private enterprise where they are in position to cope.  1. PROMOTION.  Due to the valuable contribution of tourism to the country's overseas earnings, New Zealand will be promoted more vigorously overseas. A National Government will provide larger allocation of funds for promotional purposes via the Tourist and Publicity Department, the New Zealand National Travel Association and the South Island Promotion Association. Consideration will also be given to subsidies for other organised groups in promotional activities.  2. NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION.  National recognises and supports the New Zealand National Travel Association as unifying the whole industry. This follows the acceptance of the Association as an adviser to Government during the National Government's administration. A subsidy of up to $50,000 will be granted to the Association under a National Government on a dollar for dollar basis. The Association will thus be encouraged to engage in greater promotional activities.  3. MOTELS.  It is in the interests of tourism that motels which are performing an important role be recognised as a defined unit with certain minimum qualifications. This will be done in consultation with the moteliers, and will categorise this section of the industry and therefore help private owners and employers to compete more effectively. They will also then be able to represent themselves as an entity on all issues of concern. In this connection a National Government will limit further expansion of local bodies in provision of motel facilities and tourist accommodation where a satisfactory service is given by private enterprise.  4. TOURIST ACCOMMODATION DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.  T.A.D.C.O. will be revitalised with representation from the private sector to perform the very necessary and extremely useful function of financial assistance for the expansion of tourist accommodation. This was part of the foundation of present tourism expansion and will continue to be an essential part of future growth.  Special consideration will be given to proposals linked with regional development. Depreciating allowances on new tourist accommodation will be reviewed with the intention of providing greater incentives in this area.  5. TOURIST FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.  The Tourist Facilities Development Scheme will be continued to encourage the further development of resort areas and to ensure the provision of adequate facilities at tourist centres.  6. FAMILY AND YOUTH ACCOMMODATION.  National recognises the demands and needs of family groups on holiday and accommodation for youth travelling within New Zealand. We will ensure that finance is available for such accommodation, and will continue to support the Youth Hostels of New Zealand Association.  The role of camp and cabin accommodation within New Zealand is becoming increasingly important. A National Government will, therefore, assist this section where indication can be given that a sound development plan is involved.  7. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.  The Tourist Development Council will need to be fully aware of the shortages and other associated problems from within the industry. It is National's intention to ensure that the private sector, which is the backbone of the Tourist Industry, will be fully represented on the Tourist Development Council.  8. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT.  It is National's intention to increase planning, forethought and imagination to achieve and maintain harmony between the Tourist industry and the environment.  (a) National recognises the role of tourism in regional development within New Zealand, and therefore tourism will receive special assistance via the Development Finance Corporation, where it will help with sound regional development. National is aware of the need for improved roading to give better access to various scenic attractions.  (b) New Zealand's Tourist Industry is its easiest, quickest and cleanest earner of foreign exchange. The tourist industry must maintain the environment for its own welfare and therefore a National Government will support it wholly in this objective.  9. TOURIST HOTEL CORPORATION.  It is not to the benefit of the country that in the field of tourism there should be a conflict of interest between private enterprise and State controlled corporations.  A National Government will accordingly amend the present Act in order to restore the Tourist Hotel Corporation to the role for which it ways initially enacted. Although Ministerial responsibility will continue, Ministerial interference of day to day business in the Tourist Hotel Corporation will be stopped.  A National Government will protect the rights of private enterprise when concessions are being offered within National Parks.  10. RESEARCH AND TRAINING.  National is aware of the benefits to be derived from Research and Training into all facets of Tourism.  Accordingly, a National Government will provide the funds for a research orientated Chair of Tourist Management at an appropriate New Zealand university. An adequate grant for this purpose will be made until the Chair can be incorporated into the university programme.  The establishment of this Chair will provide facilities to give professional training in Tourist Management.  HOUSING.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. G.F. Gair.  EMBARGO. This policy statement is not to be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or to be paraphrased in any manner before 1300 hours on TUESDAY 21st OCTOBER 1975.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  HOUSING POLICY.  PRINCIPLES.  NATIONAL believes that housing the people must have a high priority claim on the attention of Government and the resources of the community.  NATIONAL believes that adequate housing, in both number and standard, is an essential base for the quality of family life and for the future health of the nation.  NATIONAL believes that housing the people is best achieved by encouraging individual home ownership and the widest possible private sector participation in building and financing those homes.  NATIONAL believes that it is a Government's job to work with the building industry to see that the investment in housing and the employment of the industry's resources, is made to best advantage.  NATIONAL will pursue its housing policy placing emphasis on the need to produce well planned, socially desirable, architecturally pleasing homes for a quality environment.  NATIONAL has no wish to see Government become the biggest client of the home building industry, or extend its role unnecessarily as landlord, subdivider, builder or mortgagee. The Government should, where possible, guide and encourage others to fill these roles effectively. National does not propose to retain any direct Government shareholding in any building company.  NATIONAL recognises that for some, home ownership is inappropriate, impractical or undesired, but that for many, home ownership has become a vanishing prospect in the face of rapidly inflating prices. National is, therefore, determined to guide the country's home building efforts to conform more with the needs of the people and develop the resources to meet those needs. To this end, National will encourage in a variety of ways the provision of a wide range of housing so that the requirements of as many people as possible can be met.  NATIONAL will ensure that the demands placed on housing avoid, where possible, excessive peaks and hollows. To this end the flow of immigration will be carefully monitored to avoid excessive demand from this source.  HOME GUIDANCE BUREAU.  At present many people seeking homes do not have easy access to all the information they need to make an informed decision. National will provide, through a Home Owners Information and Counselling Service, a standard regularly updated guide to procedures in relationships with architects, builders, estate agents, solicitors, tradespeople, finance and insurance institutions. This Home Guidance Bureau will maintain full liaison with local law societies, local lending ,institutions and real estate agents to ensure that people seeking homes are fully and fairly advised at all stages, including initial budgeting.  BUILDING PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE SCHEME.  A Building Performance Guarantee Scheme will be introduced to protect the home buyer from false claims or unsatisfactory workmanship, and to help promote and maintain the ethical and professional standards of the building industry.  To encourage participation in the scheme the Government would not normally lend money or issue mortgage guarantees on any property commenced after the introduction of the Guarantee Scheme, which has not been built under the terms of the Scheme.  HOME OWNERSHIP.  The first objective of a National Government will be to make Home Ownership possible for all of those willing to earn and save for it. This will be facilitated by the following policies.  Public Sector Security Ratios.  A National Government will undertake regular reviews of the public sector security ratios observable by lending institutions to ensure that such ratios relate realistically to the needs of the market and so that the institutions concerned can make an appropriate contribution to the private sector support of housing finance.  Mortgage Guarantee Scheme.  To encourage the investment of mortgage finance in housing at acceptable interest rates and to facilitate the sale of existing homes by an increased supply of loan finance, the Government will extend the present mortgage guarantee schemes to provide security by way of Government guarantee to any mortgagee who agrees to lend for house purchase up to 90% of the approved value of the property.  The guarantee will be automatic when the mortgage money is advanced from approved lending institutions, organisations or private individuals and will be at no cost to the home owner.  Mortgage finance for solo mothers and single women, who have hitherto been ineligible for certain types of mortgage finance, will be greatly assisted by the mortgage guarantee scheme.  The Government guarantee will apply only to mortgages under which the mortgagor has the right to repay the mortgage upon 6 months notice or less to the mortgagee without penalty.  Mortgage guarantees will normally be available for flat or table mortgages on terms of not less than five years.  Government Second Mortgages.  National will introduce a second mortgage support scheme intended to meet those cases where the mortgagor with a 20% deposit may raise up to 65% from a first lender. Government would supply the shortfall 15% upon variable terms as to interest rate and repayment in accordance with the borrower's ability to pay. Initially there will be a maximum $5000 which will be made available under the short-fall for owner occupied homes.  Priority will be given in those cases where the first mortgagee offers his mortgage on the basis that interest only will be payable for the first five years and that thereafter the mortgage will be on a table basis over a period of not less than 10 years.  Low Interest Mortgages.  National will, through the Housing Corporation, develop one mortgage loans for lower income applicants at interest rates from 3% upwards.  For new lending National will lift the loan limits to 85% of the purchase price as quickly as economic circumstances will permit. Where there is a material improvement in the financial circumstances of the borrower the interest rate will be adjusted after reasonable notice.  Flexible Lending Policies.  National will add a number of new mortgage proposals to the existing range of mortgage formula to meet the varying circumstances of the borrowers. These will include.  (1) Mortgage with an initial flat term period during which a second mortgage might be discharged to be followed by table-repayment of the principal mortgage.  (2) A flexible principal repayment plan to meet those cases where the wife works, then leaves the work force to raise a family, and then returns to work.  (3) National will offer a deferred repayment table designed to adjust with the rising level of wages during the term of the loan so that the repayment rate in the early stages of the loan is reduced to the minimum.  In the event of the sale of a property financed by the above mortgage formula before the expiry of the mortgage, then at the discretion of the Housing Corporation, interest for the term of the mortgage actually used would be recoverable at the normal Corporation rates.  Mortgage Banking and Mortgage Certificates.  National will investigate ways to increase the level of private sector support for home finance by introducing the concept of mortgage banking under Housing Corporation rules and guarantees, and a mortgage certificate market through approved trusts and banking institutions.  Availability of Loans.  A National Government will abolish the totally unreasonable upper limits on the age of houses that qualify for Housing Corporation loans. Loans would be available on those houses which on inspection are found to be sound and assured of a reasonably long life.  National will also introduce suitable flexibility to better relate loan limits to property values. Loans will not be available on unrealistically priced properties, even though the price is otherwise within the limits from time to time fixed for low cost housing.  No Discrimination on Grounds of Sex.  Under a National Government the Housing Corporation will not discriminate between men and women borrowers on grounds of sex.  TAX CONCESSIONS.  Interest Concessions.  (a) The first $300 interest per annum received by a private individual mortgagee pursuant to a guaranteed mortgage under the proposed extension to the guarantee scheme will qualify as deductible for income tax purposes.  (b) Older couples or individuals vacating a family home, for approved alternative smaller accommodation, who leave not less than 65% of the Government valuation in the property sold to an approved buyer on a guaranteed first mortgage for a minimum of seven years at maximum Government interest rates will have 50% of the interest so earned free from tax, during the lifetime of the mortgage, but with a maximum tax saving of $500 per annum.  Home Ownership Savings.  Contributions to Home Ownership Savings Account will be deductible from tax assessable income, up to a maximum of $2000 per annum where the money is applied for the purpose of an owner-occupied first home. This will be an optional alternative to the present system of grants, and mortgage repayment subsidies. The total qualifying deposits under this scheme will be initially $10,000 per account. These limits will be subject to periodic review and no more than $10,000 may apply in respect of any owner-occupied first home for any family.  Stamp Duty.  The purchase of first homes or of sections for the erection of a first home will be exempt from stamp duty taxes.  Building Societies.  The role of the building societies in home finance will reviewed by a National Government with a view to their making a more effective contribution to home building.  The additional $200 tax exemption on interest earned on deposits in the Post Office and Savings Banks will be extended to building societies deposits.  The taxes on profits distributed on the termination of contractual savings plans will be reviewed with a view to treating this investment similarly to bonuses on endowment insurance policies.  Rates Tax Deductible.  National accepts the principle of tax deductibility of Local Authority rates paid on non-commercial owner-occupied dwellings. National will help ease the burden of rates by making rates tax deductible in stages, as economic circumstances allow.  Rates concessions will continue for the same categories of beneficiaries, using the same means test and at the same rates as are applicable when National assumes office  STATE HOUSING.  A National Government will provide rental housing for those people who, because of various difficulties, are unable to house themselves by any other means.  Existing tenancies will be secured, but income related rent reviews will be made annually.  Existing tenants will be given the opportunity to effect a new tenancy agreement and join the Tenancy Savings Scheme for Home Ownership outlined below.  New Tenancy Arrangements.  Future allocations of State houses will be for fixed terms of six years.  National will introduce a new form of tenancy savings scheme for Housing Corporation rental homes. Those whose sole source of income is social security benefits, or whose income falls within such limits, will pay a basic rent reviewed from time to time and related to current welfare payments benefit levels. This shall be known as the basic rent.  All other future tenancies will involve a rental related to the ability of the tenant to pay up to a maximum of the ruling market rental.  If the tenant leaves to build or buy a house of his own or desires to buy the State house in which he is living, the amount between the basic rental and the total rental paid will be available under the Tenancy Savings Scheme for use towards his equity in the home of his purchase. This scheme will be an alternative to the Home Ownership Scheme.  If no such option to purchase is taken at the end of six years, the tenancy of the State house will be placed on a normal market rental basis according to the ability of the tenant to pay, the opportunities under the Tenancy Savings Scheme will be deemed to be forfeit and the State will reserve the right to recover the tenancy of the premises on 12 months' notice.  Sale of State Houses.  National will reactivate the policy of selling appropriate State houses to those tenants who wish to purchase them.  Those in service and tied accommodation.  State servants on transfer and State servants in service accommodation will be encouraged to join the Home Ownership Savings Scheme or if their incomes come within State House Rental Criteria, the Tenancy Savings Scheme. When they wish to purchase their first house the Housing Corporation may extend to State servants in service accommodation, e.g. Police, Electricity, Defence, Education, Forestry, and career farm workers a 65% loan at normal market rates. This will be available even if the house is not initially owner-occupied, provided the home is let at rentals approved by the Housing Corporation.  The loan scheme will apply to those who have lived 10 years or more in tied accommodation and preference will be given to those approaching retirement.  Solo Parent Housing Pilot Scheme.  For special categories of housing need such as solo parents, National will introduce a pilot scheme to test the feasibility of housing co-operatives as an alternative to State Housing.  URBAN RENEWAL.  A feature of National's long term housing policy will be a vigorous programme to return life to the inner city areas. National will review the terms and scope of the Urban Renewal and House Improvement Amendment Act.  The National Party believes that ribbon development encroachment on highly productive farm land must be stopped by effective district scheme planning. Any future expansion of urban boundaries must be preceded by adequate research designed to ensure that as far as possible urban encroachment onto Class 1 farm-lands is avoided and to ensure that full regard is had to the cost of providing essential services for the general environment and other relevant factors. Where necessary the Town and Country Planning Act will be amended to achieve this objective.  House transfer incentives.  To encourage the most effective use of the nation's houses National will provide incentives to encourage older persons and solo occupants to sell large family homes and resettle in suitable home ownership flats or units.  The National Government will institute a pilot scheme in which the Government or local Government would seek to buy or encourage others to buy houses which have reached the end of their useful life and replace them with quality built units. These will be offered for sale in the first instance to older people in the area who would vacate larger family homes which could then be sold to growing families. These transactions will be exempt from stamp duty and removal expenses of the older persons will be met by the Government.  HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS.  In an effort to maintain and upgrade existing houses for family occupation, particularly housing closer to the centre of the city, a National Government will offer loans at market rates for ten years for family occupied dwellings which require the upgrading of such facilities as kitchens and bathrooms to permit continued family usage. The Housing Corporation must be satisfied that the building has not less than 15 years of further useful life and that the work involved is carried out under the Buildings Performance Guarantee Scheme.  Each application will be treated on its merits.  Conversion Loans.  A special loan, through the Housing Corporation, will be available for the conversion of appropriate existing dwellings into two or more flats. The extent in terms of loan assistance will relate to the number of additional dwelling units to be made available at rentals approved by the Housing Corporation.  National will introduce loan and taxation policies to encourage private building for rental purposes in approved areas.  It is the intention that this programme be developed in conjunction with urban renewal projects.  The loans would be made on certain conditions including acceptance of an approved scale rent which would be subject to review from time to time by the Housing Corporation.  LOCAL AUTHORITY CO-OPERATION.  Through close liaison with local authorities National will encourage own-your-own units built by local authorities to be made available to the occupants of under-utilised homes.  Realistic loans to local bodies will be made available for their housing projects.  Building Code Review.  Local bodies will be encouraged through building ordinances and by-laws to build more desirable forms of high density and cluster housing development.  Common by-laws relative to building in local body areas will be reviewed and amended based on the collective experience of local bodies in New Zealand. The Government will encourage the streamlining of these by-laws to produce a national consistency.  Standard Code for Subdivisions.  National will provide through the Housing Commission a standard code of practice for urban subdivisions as a guide to local authorities.  THE BUILDING INDUSTRY.  Apprenticeship.  In consultation with the building industry a National Government will develop a new approach to apprenticeship training, concentrating on developing adaptability to acquire additional skills rather than providing a set range of skills which are likely to be outdated by technological change, and thereby achieve a reduction in the apprenticeship term and a shorter more effective training programme.  Adult Training Employment Subsidy.  For those on adult training courses, a National Government would make available a 50% subsidy to employers during the three weeks of training school periods.  Help for Small Builders.  A National Government would encourage small builders to co-operate so that the financing and buying of materials, the provision of credit, management and labour, accounting and other advice might be more economically and more effectively obtained as a group for mutual benefit.  Training and advice to this end will be made available in conjunction with the Small Business Agency programme.  RESEARCH.  National is aware that the home building industry can only remain economically sound and serve the community in the best way possible if it is run effectively. This requires continuing access by builders to the best and latest technical, market and financial information. Government will co-operate to this end.  Statistics.  A National Government would review the provisions of the Statistics Act 1953 so that information most relevant to effective monitoring of short and medium term trends is available for all of those involved-in the building industry.  Co-operation with Authorities.  A National Government will implement co-ordinated long-term planning of the housing industry by the Building Industry Advisory Council in consultation with the Housing Corporation, the Housing Commission, the building industry associations, the housing finance industry, educational institutions, the labour leaders and the material manufacturers. Long-term forecasts of requirements for labour, materials, land, man-power, retraining, education and immigration policies will be carried out.  A National Government would undertake as a matter of urgency, a comprehensive review of mortgage statistics, functions and policies - terms, rates, etc. and provisions of all mortgage lending institutions - under the over-sight of the Reserve Bank.  Rents.  While the present extreme shortage of rental accommodation continues, National will retain the system of rent appeal boards. Their work will be reviewed with particular regard for the need to achieve uniformity of approach and responsibility for the boards will be removed from the Labour Department to the Housing Corporation.  Pensioner Housing.  Pensioner housing will remain the responsibility of the Local Authorities in conjunction with the Housing Corporation. Allocations of tenancies will be the responsibility of the local authorities in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare.  LAND HOLDINGS.  No decision on the disposal of the considerable land holdings acquired in the past two years will be made until after the next National Government has had the opportunity to review the state of the low-cost housing programme it will inherit from the Labour Government. Any disposal of developed sections or raw land would be done in such manner as to produce the least possible upset to the market and to prices. Further land purchases by a National Government for housing will be done only by negotiation with vendors and the Public Works Act will not be used for this purpose.  LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.  A National Government would.  * Review the Wages Protection and Contractors Liens Act.  * Reconsider the Unit Titles • Act with a view to simplification.  * Review Property Speculation Tax Act.  * Extend Joint Family Homes legislation to make it easier to settle farm houses as joint family homes.  HEALTH POLICY.  SPOKESMAN. Air Commodore T.F. Gill.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  "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."  A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGREES WITH THE FOREGOING WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION DECLARATION AND WILL PROMOTE AND SUSTAIN THE INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH.  THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE MAINTENANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICE DESIGNED TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL NEEDS WITH INCREASED EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.  THE COST OF THE HEALTH SERVICE WILL REST PRIMARILY WITH THE GOVERNMENT. PRIVATE SERVICES WILL RECEIVE FURTHER NECESSARY GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.  FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  1. Bring Health Services as much as possible, out into the community, through.  (i) the marshalling of all public, private and voluntary agencies in the fight to prevent sickness, accidents and ill health.  (ii) the provision of Community Hospitals and Community Health Centres, utilising both private and public facilities, in areas where these hospitals and centres are needed.  (iii) the encouragement of the rural doctor scheme.  (iv) subsidies and grants designed to attract G.Ps and other Health Service agencies to specific areas where additional resources are needed.  (v) the extension of Rural Practice Nurses Scheme to urban areas.  (vi) provision of improved child health care.  (vii) strongly encouraging individual General Practitioners, Group Practices and Group Medical Centres to help ensure primary medical aid is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  2. Consult regularly with professional bodies to enable doctors charges to remain low and within the individual's ability to pay, with Government assistance. This will be done through the regular review of the G.M.S. and specialists' benefits and other payments.  3. Continue to support the Private Hospital system by way of building grants and tax incentives, encouragement of personal health insurance, bed subsidies and patients' medical, surgical and geriatric benefits.  A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC MONEY SPENT ON HEALTH WILL REACH THE INDIVIDUAL, ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S REQUIREMENTS.  FOR DOCTORS, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  1. Ensure that General Practice remains the principal element in our Primary Health Care, and to this end will give General Practitioners adequate support in their place of work.  2. Regularly consult with doctors, nurses, dentists, and other para-medical personnel in regard to matters affecting their ability to provide the services expected of them.  3. Introduce an Urban Practice Nurse Scheme paralleling the rural scheme for community care based on the General Practitioner service which will emphasise care for the elderly and the mother with a young family on a domiciliary basis.  4. Make hospital beds available to General Practitioners for the care of their own patients, where practicable, thereby allowing for more integration with hospital services, particularly in community hospitals in rural and semi-rural areas.  5. Make available suspensory loans for doctors wishing to commence practice with a view to encouraging doctors to spend as much of their medical career as possible in New Zealand.  6. Make available building finance to those wishing to build or re-build practice premises especially group practice premises or medical centres.  7. In areas of special need, provide additional financial and other incentives to encourage doctors to practice in these areas.  8. Provide in special areas, hospital out-patient rooms, to provide an immediate medical service, where sufficient local doctors are not yet present.  9. Offer travel subsidies to New Zealand doctors wishing to return to New Zealand, together with attractive salaries on a full or part time basis in hospital service or community care.  10. Encourage medical practitioners to constantly further their knowledge, and keep abreast of changing developments in medicine. with particular emphasis on assisting them to enhance their knowledge in those special areas where they have developed an interest.  FOR NURSES.  National recognises that as nursing services are crucial to the provision of effective health care, due regard must be given not only to initial training programmes and continued educational opportunities after Registration, but also to the elements of job satisfaction and sense of individual development and achievement within the profession.  1. A National Government will promote nursing as a career and a unified profession within New Zealand's health service by.  (a) Involving the nursing profession in planning for overall health care, as well as for nursing services. and those interested will be encouraged and prepared for their role as participators in health planning activities on a national, regional and local basis.  (b) Ensuring a more comprehensive nursing service in the community and more communication and a closer liaison between nurses working in hospitals and in the community will be encouraged.  2. National will discuss with the Nurses Association and with nurses, and request the Board of Health to review conditions of employment, remuneration and recent developments in nursing education.  Particular attention will be given to the results of Nursing Studies Courses presently under way in the Christchurch, Wellington, Nelson and Auckland Technical Institutes. and to the adequacy of bursaries available to full time students on those courses.  3. Additional emphasis on preventive health and care in the community is desirable and complementary to sickness and hospital care.  To extend the nursing component of community health services National will.  (a) Encourage management in large employing organisations to provide occupational health services, and consider payment of a subsidy to encourage the employment of nurses in these services.  (b) Through health agencies, provide community health nursing services where they are needed, to avoid unnecessary admission to hospitals of patients who could be nursed at home.  (c) Introduce an Urban Practice Nurse Scheme paralleling the rural scheme for Community Care, based on the General Practitioner Service, emphasising care for the elderly and the mother with a young family, on a domiciliary basis.  4. To facilitate re-recruitment of qualified nurses and their retention in the profession, due regard must be given to motivational factors which influence hospital nursing services. To achieve this National will.  (a) Concentrate on the positive elements in nursing which have influenced other nurses to return to practice, e.g. job satisfaction and the opportunity to accomplish something worthwhile.  (b) Establish positions of responsibility for suitably qualified nurses from which they can contribute to planning and policy formulation.  (c) Recognise the special motives of part-time nurses and the important role they have to play in the provision of health services.  (d) Examine ways of employing nurses who have attained their retirement in other health related services.  (e) Employ suitable persons to provide messenger, clerical and house-keeping duties so that nurses can concentrate on providing the services and exercising the skills they are trained for.  (f) Facilitate the registration of nurses trained overseas.  FOR HOSPITALS, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  1. Hospitals – Administration.  A National Government will set up a Board of Health Committee to consult Hospital Boards, the Medical Association and other interested parties in the development of the health system to meet modern needs. There will be full consultations on any recommendations made by this Committee. If changes in hospital board structures are recommended to increase their areas of responsibility, we shall emphasise the need for representation of all local and professional interests, so that Boards can promote co-operation and co-ordination of public and private hospitals in their areas. We shall ask the Board of Health Committee to include consideration of the concept of professional chief executives to undertake the administration, under elective boards, of any additional functions for which Boards may be made responsible, such as Community Health. The principles that a clear majority of Board members should be elected, and that the Board should elect its own Chairman, will be upheld.  As a guideline to the planning of boundaries it will be stated that community of interest, traditional ties, communication and geography should be given full emphasis.  2. Hospitals – Developments.  A National Government will continue the modernisation of the hospital system. Developments will include.  (i) Reduction of the waiting lists.  (ii) The training and retention of additional theatre staff and facilities, including positive steps to attract the return to nursing of nursing staff, as essential to the reduction of the hospital waiting lists.  (iii) Encourage the participation of general practitioners in public and private hospital-service, and as part of overall urban growth, encourage the development of the community hospital.  (iv) Develop geriatric services where necessary, in particular through community services, based on small geriatric units under the care of geriatricians and general practitioners.  (v) Encourage day-care and out-patient psychiatric care as part of community medicine, linked with psychiatric clinics in hospitals, health centres, and wherever else it may be practicable.  (vi) In order to facilitate the flow of information regarding all aspects of and improvements in health care, support to private and public hospitals and to an efficient community medical service will be co-ordinated.  3. Hospitals - Dual System.  A National Government will maintain and encourage the dual hospital system as a means of providing the best possible health care both for the individual who prefers a private hospital and who wishes to retain the doctor or surgeon of his choice, and for those who prefer the public system. A National Government will accordingly offer private hospitals subsidies to maintain and increase their facilities, both to ensure a choice for the patient and to help reduce the demands on public hospital services. We are conscious of the fact that each patient treated in a private hospital is one less on the public hospital waiting list. In line with the intention of minimising costs to patients, a National Government will review patient subsidies with the aim of increasing them to a more realistic level, thus providing for a real choice between private and public health care. Doctors will be able to divide their time between public and private hospitals as at present.  FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  1. Work to improve the quality of medical education and to improve the doctor/patient ratio as the most important basis for medical care.  2. Complete urgently the Wellington Clinical School.  3. Enlarge the facilities for postgraduate training in psychiatry.  4. Develop in consultation with the Royal Colleges, further postgraduate training for specialists as well as postgraduate training in general practice and family medicine.  5. Provide grants to assist medical practitioners to participate regularly in postgraduate education in New Zealand or overseas. These grants would cover all branches of medicine including general practitioners as well as providing for locums.  6. Maintain and expand links through exchange fellowships with countries with reciprocal medical standards as a means of ensuring up-to-date medical care.  FOR HEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONS, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  Expand health related professional services to keep pace with rising needs. Provide for additional training opportunities and advanced training for such personnel.  FOR THE AGED, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL.  Encourage Hospital Boards, in consultation with the Social Welfare Department, local authorities and the profession, to make greater provision for care of the aged, particularly in their own homes.  Provide Community Health nursing services where necessary to assist in the care of the aged at home, and avoid, where possible, unnecessary admission to hospitals.  National is conscious of the need for many more geriatric beds in nursing homes. To assist those who require hospitalisation and long-term care, a National Government would meet a proportion of the cost of such necessary medical attention.  THE AGED WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DISPOSE OF THEIR CAPITAL ASSETS, EITHER FINANCIAL OR PROPERTY, AS A PRE-REQUISITE TO CARE IN A GERIATRIC HOSPITAL.  CHILD HEALTH.  National is conscious of the importance of family health in our society, and of present deficiencies in the care of our children.  We believe General Practitioners should and will continue to be the mainstay of our children's health service.  To improve the extent of health services available to more vulnerable communities, or families in which children's health is in jeopardy, the following services will be further developed.  1. (a) pre-natal paediatrics.  (b) ante-natal care, including education for the mother.  (c) and subsequent particular emphasis on the comprehensive and regular assessment of infants to detect any physical and mental abnormalities as early as possible.  2. A more comprehensive system of school health, with emphasis on prevention through intensive education which will maintain and improve children's health, and the provision of trained and child orientated nurses.  3. Greater emphasis on the importance of family care with particular reference to the needs of mental health of children. Where possible development will include paediatrics and child and family psychiatry, as well as treatment.  4. A children's hospital, associated with a Public Hospital complex, will be established to meet these requirements.  To improve child health care in the home and in schools, contributions could come from one of tie following or a combination of all three.  * a Paediatric Hospital which would set standards, research paediatric problems, and be responsible for training doctors and nurses.  * Medical Inspection Centres at schools, staffed by Paediatric nurses under supervision of Paediatricians.  * or from Health Centres staffed as a Public Hospital outstation by a paediatric Registrar, in vulnerable communities.  The foregoing three proposals will be thoroughly investigated and discussed with all concerned.  COMMUNITY MEDICINE.  The present dual hospital system will be co-ordinated with a more efficient, community-based medical service, thus ensuring that improvements in our health services filter through to all levels of health care and to all members of the community.  This emphasis on community-orientated medical services should.  1. shorten hospital waiting lists through greater utilisation of public and private hospital facilities.  2. ensure that advice and treatment is available to patients needing care and attention at all times.  3. through the proposed increases in patient subsidies encourage patients to take advantage of presently underutilised private hospital facilities in many communities.  4. provide information concerning the local community and its environment.  5. also provide information about health and other essential and related services such as education and social welfare, and the work of voluntary organisations and professions.  Support and guidance for these Community Medical Services will be discussed with all Hospital Boards, some of whom already administer efficient Extra Mural Hospitals.  The need for any delegation of authority from Hospital Boards to local Community Health Councils, will be examined.  A POLICY FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCY TREATMENT SERVICES.  1. The National Party recognises the extent and seriousness of the problem of dependence on alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs.  2. National welcomes the recommendations of the Royal Commission on liquor relating to the social aspects of alcohol in the community, and specifically supports the early establishment of the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council recommended by the Royal Commission.  3. Prevention.  National will.  (a) introduce a co-ordinated nation-wide policy of awareness towards the rational use and the misuse of alcohol and drugs.  (b) support the use of criminal law to control the illegal distribution of drugs, and within this general context, will control more rigidly any irresponsible prescribing of dependency producing drugs by the professions concerned.  4. Treatment and Rehabilitation.  (a) National will support the recommendations on treatment services for alcohol dependent persons, made by the Royal Commission on the Sale of Liquor in New Zealand.  (b) National will encourage the establishment of alcohol and drug treatment centres based on general hospitals.  (c) National will support specialist departments at psychiatric hospitals for the treatment of both alcoholic and drug dependents.  (d) National recognises the urgent need for a long-term care and treatment institution for persons who find difficulty in responding to treatment for drug and alcohol dependency, and will take steps to establish such a long-term treatment facility.  (e) National will support all agencies and social and guidance workers seeking to rehabilitate dependency persons back into the community after treatment.  5. A National Government would give full support to voluntary groups working within the community to establish rational attitudes towards alcohol and drugs, and towards the socio-medical problem arising from misuse.  FOR OTHER NEEDS, A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WILL IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING.  1. Family Planning.  To improve the family life of the people of New Zealand, assistance will be offered to New Zealand Family Planning Associations, religious, and voluntary organisations, to maintain staff and establish family planning clinics.  2. Voluntary Services.  A National Government will continue to emphasise the work of voluntary organisations such as Plunket, working in the health related and social welfare fields, provide further assistance in accordance with developing needs, and institute a system of regular subsidy review to such voluntary organisations.  3. The Handicapped.  A National Government will improve services for the handicapped in consultation with the relevant organisations, boards and the profession.  Handicapped persons will be encouraged and assisted to enable them to take a more active part in society.  4. Artificial Aids and Appliances.  A National Government, recognising their medical and psychological importance, will continue the current provision of aids and appliances and will extend Social Security benefits to all those who, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner, require.  (a) Surgical prostheses, including breast prostheses initially, following mastectomy operations.  (b) Medically recommended hairpieces.  Special Services.  (a) Develop a chiropody benefit of special value to the elderly. And.  (b) Consider expansion of the physiotherapy subsidy.  Dental.  A National Government will review all dental benefits and discuss with the New Zealand Dental Association any suggested improvements and any recommended changes to the Dental Act.  6. Accident Compensation.  A National Government will review completely the working of the Accident Compensation system to provide for further improvement, particularly.  (i) in respect of the self employed.  (ii) in rehabilitation of accident victims in conjunction with established rehabilitation facilities and in consultation with employing and union organisations.  A National Government will in particular seek ways of eliminating anomalies created by the Act whereby those suffering from chronic or debilitating illness are placed at a major disadvantage in comparison with accident victims.  FORESTRY POLICY.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. A. McCready.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  New Zealand's forests are both a major economic resource and an amenity for people. The National Party believes that the basic principle of any forest policy must be that of multiple use.  1. EXOTIC PRODUCTION FORESTRY.  The National Party recognises the wide scope for long-term development of forest industries and their export potential. However, the wise use of our land resource is of prime importance and where afforestation proposals affect land that is considered suitable for farming purposes any large scale planting programme will be subject to the agreement of regional land use committees, made up of representatives of all types of land users in the region. These Committees will make recommendations to a reconstituted Land Use Advisory Council.  Forestry offers great scope for regional development both through planting programmes and the subsequent processing of forest products. National introduced and will continue to support farmer, commercial and local authority participation in forestry, along with the New Zealand Forest Service, in order to reach recommended national planting levels.  Financial incentives in the way of grants and taxation concessions for planting, development and maintenance will be available to landowners, lessees, co-operative forest ventures, voluntary organisations and local authorities undertaking approved forest programmes. For taxation purposes, individuals will be allowed to spread the income from the sale of trees over a period of five years.  A National Government will enter into long-term leases with private landowners for the purpose of afforestation on a share basis and will further promote this policy as regards Maori landowners.  A National Government will foster and encourage greater manufacturing of forest products in New Zealand in order to earn the maximum of overseas funds.  2. INDIGENOUS FOREST.  State indigenous forests will be managed and conserved under the supervision of the Forest Service. The object will be to perpetuate indigenous forests both as natural forests and as managed stands. Where necessary exotic forests will be established to supplement indigenous production.  Encouragement will be given and Forest Service advice will be available to private owners of indigenous forest to conserve and manage these resources in the same way.  3. SOUTH ISLAND BEECH FORESTS.  Any utilisation of the South Island Beech Forests will be based on the principle of the perpetuation of Beech both as natural forest and stands managed for production. In addition to the regeneration of Beech, further exotic forests will be planted.  National believes that in order to use our beech resources in socially and economically effective ways, industries using beech wood should be the most suitable for the region involved.  A National Government will investigate the establishment of several industries, geographically spread and providing employment and development over a wider area on the West Coast and in Southland.  4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  A National Government will give greater impetus to research into all aspects of indigenous and exotic forests, with special emphasis on our beech forests, the breeding of trees for specific purposes, forest farming, the development of monocultures and the effects of forests on ecosystems. The conservation of protection forests will be continued through noxious animal control, protection planting and related research.  National will give increasing assistance to industry through advice and research in all fields of silvi-culture and forest product development. Close co-operation between the Forest Research Institute and the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Canterbury will be encouraged for the benefit of forestry development.  A National Government will continue to use the Forestry Development Council as a major advisor on forestry expansion and the development of forest industries.  5. RECREATION AND AMENITY FORESTS.  The National Party believes that our forests provide ideal situations for outdoor recreation, and recognises that as our urban population grows, the demand for outdoor recreation opportunities will increase.  A National Government, following policy it initiated in the 1960s, will continue to establish more forest parks and recreation areas near centres of concentrated population. State forests will be further opened to public use and new walkways developed.  National will encourage private forest owners to provide opportunities for public recreation and enjoyment in their forests.  Belts of amenity forest will be planted along main highways and tourist routes which are adjoined by production forests. Where possible, existing indigenous forest belts will be left standing.  SPOKESMAN. J. F. Luxton.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  FISHING POLICY.  National believes that sound commercial development of our fishing resources is essential if we are to receive a continuing benefit from this naturally regenerating resource.  Fishing will continue to make a valuable contribution to the economic and social development of various regions within New Zealand and also to New Zealand's export.  INCENTIVES.  To enable the industry to expand and develop on a sound financial basis, a National Government will.  * Make available loans for the purchase of commercial fishing vessels and for the building of boats within New Zealand.  * Make a wide range of equipment tax deductible in the year of purchase.  * Review the present refunding procedure for sales tax.  National will also consider.  * Investment allowances for fishing vessel replacement.  * Special depreciation incentives on equipment.  * Export incentives for various species of fish.  Incentives will be discussed with the fishing industry.  RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT.  In anticipation of the establishment of a 200 mile exclusive economic management zone and a 12 mile territorial sea, a National Government will develop the local fishing industry while at the same time co-operating with other nations to utilise, by agreement, those resources not fully utilised locally.  * The introduction of a 200 mile zone will bring new and challenging prospects for the development of New Zealand's fishing industry. A National Government will encourage the development of both export orientated fish production, and export markets.  * A National Government will also provide overdraft facilities to support the storage of fish for out of season sale, thus assisting the full utilisation of New Zealand's fish resources.  * A National Government will co-ordinate the activities of the defence forces and the fisheries patrol fleet to protect our fish resources from foreign fishing fleets operating inside specified management or territorial zones.  LICENCES AND SURVEYS.  National will examine the feasibility of a system of selective fishing licensing as a way of ensuring that fish resources in particular localities are not depleted by over-fishing. The process of surveying boats will be improved to reduce the inconvenience to fishermen.  RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATION.  * National will ensure that fisheries research is directed at not only biological research but also commercial development of fishing techniques and fish processing.  * A National Government will provide an annual grant to the Fishing Industry Board on a one for one basis on all levies received from fishermen. This grant to assist industry training, commercial application of research and general administration of the Board's activities.  In cases where a need has been established for the provision of wharves, berthage and slipway facilities for fishermen, financial assistance will be provided to local authorities for this purpose.  FISH HARVESTING.  Box nets are at present being studied on an experimental basis by the Industry. A National Government will closely evaluate this form of fish harvesting.  FISH FARMING.  In the interest of expanding food supplies, a National Government will.  * Encourage oyster, mussel and other molluscs and crustacea farming.  * Assist in the development of an aquacultural industry as it can be applied to New Zealand. This would indicate the consideration of warm water from thermal power stations, various species of fish and closed production systems.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. D.A. Highet.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY.  PHILOSOPHY.  National believes.  * In maintaining a democratic local government structure with clearly defined responsibilities, acting in co-operation with central government but with a minimum of central government interference.  * In the participation of people with first hand knowledge in local government in their own area.  * That in the restructuring of local government the views of the local community should prevail.  * In the co-ordination of local authorities on a regional basis for those specific functions which are appropriate for each region.  * In the basic right of every local body and individual to object to or appeal against schemes of reorganisation.  THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT.  The National Party fully recognises the need to improve the structure of local government in New Zealand to meet new and changing requirements. The Local Government Commission has a role to play in strengthening local government through the drawing up of regional schemes, the defining of the function of regional bodies and the recommending of territorial changes including amalgamation of territorial local authorities.  National also believes it is essential that the work of the Local Government Commission be complemented by a greater movement towards voluntary reform on the part of the local authorities themselves.  CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT.  While supporting the reform of Local Government, a National Government will make changes to the present Local Government Act regarding.  l. Rural Urban Independence.  National will maintain the independence of rural and urban interests by amending the appropriate sections of the Act, after consultation with the Municipalities and Counties Associations, to prevent regional bodies from becoming remote, insensitive and bureaucratic.  2. Polling Provisions.  National will make the polling provisions more democratic. We believe a poll should be able to be demanded by 15% of the voters in any individual area affected. The poll should be taken in each area affected by a scheme and should succeed if more than 50% of the total electors on the roll for that area oppose the scheme. An area which opposes amalgamation will continue to exist separately as a territorial body but will be obliged to contribute to the finance and functions of the region in which it is situated. The Local Government Commission will be required to prepare a report setting out the principal issues raised by the amalgamation proposals.  3. Ad hoc Bodies.  National will remove certain specialist and technical ad hoc bodies such as Harbour, Electricity, River, Catchment, Drainage and Pest Destruction Boards from the Local Government Act. National will take away from the Local Government Commission the right, at its own discretion, to incorporate these bodies.  This will not prevent the reorganisation of these bodies where necessary or where the authorities themselves or their electors decide that it is desirable.  4. Community Councils.  National will give the right to territorial authorities to decide whether they shall have community councils.  5. Local Government Commission.  National will ensure that the Local Government Commission comprises persons of high calibre and experience in local body affairs.  GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.  1. Rates Tax Deductible.  National accepts the principle of tax deductibility of Local Authority rates paid on non-commercial owner-occupied dwellings. National will help ease the burden of rates by making rates tax deductible in stages, as economic circumstances allow.  2. Regional Finance.  National will investigate the possibility of empowering regions to raise regional finance.  3. Assistance for sewerage, water supply and drainage Schemes.  Further, National will review existing special purpose subsidies on sewerage, water supply works, and drainage schemes.  Deferred interest loans shall be provided in certain circumstances through the Water Resources Council to aid sewerage treatment facilities so that waters of national importance are protected from environmental damage. The same type of assistance will be provided for communities with small permanent but high fluctuating populations to assist in the provision of adequate sewerage treatment and disposal facilities.  Extra assistance will be given to local authorities that introduce modern and efficient ways of dealing with sewerage and refuse disposal designed to re-use waste.  4. Support for Welfare Facilities and Programmes.  Recognising the role local bodies have in providing welfare facilities and programmes, a National Government would investigate the possibility of giving grants in aid to approved schemes.  5. Differential Rating.  National will review the Rating Act with a view to permitting greater use of differential rating. and allowing a more flexible and equitable basis for rating.  6. Government Grants in lieu of Rates.  As Government, National would investigate the present scheme of Government grants in lieu of rates on Government properties, to ensure that these grants are the equivalent of the fair rate liability for the properties in question.  7. Rate Remission or Postponement.  National will extend the power of the local authorities to remit or postpone rates on certain types of land so that it will include all land used for cultural or sporting purposes where the proceeds collected are not distributed as a profit among individual members of that cultural or sporting body.  8. Housing.  Through close liaison with local authorities National will encourage own-your-own units built by local authorities to be made available to the occupants of under-utilised homes. Realistic loans to local bodies will be made available for their housing projects.  Local authorities will be consulted on the letting of contracts, and supervision of building standards.  9. Recreation and Sport.  National will encourage local body co-operation with the Council for Recreation and Sport, and the regional recreational councils, especially concerning the allocation of finance.  10. Environment.  Incentives will be provided for local authorities to increase tree planting, especially in new urban areas.  National will assist local authorities with urban renewal programmes and with qualified planning advice.  11. Payment of Local Body Accounts through Post Office.  The Post Office will provide facilities for the collection of local bodies' accounts, where desirable, including rate and power bill payments, and will distribute such payments to the appropriate local authority.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION.  A NATIONAL Government will.  - consolidate the Counties and Municipal Corporation Act.  - review the Rating Act.  - review and revise the Town and Country Planning Act giving special emphasis to.  * regional planning co-ordination.  * protection of the individual's right of ownership.  * local body consultation and co-operation.  * simplifying planning procedures.  - review and revise other local body legislation after hearing submissions from interested bodies.  RECREATION AND SPORT.  SPOKESMAN. K.M. Comber.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  EMBARGO. This statement must not be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or its content paraphrased in any publication or broadcast before 1300 hours on THURSDAY 16th OCTOBER 1975.  RECREATION AND SPORT.  The National Party recognises that there is a need to encourage a variety of recreational activities from which people can choose ways in which to enjoy leisure hours. Sports and other leisure-time pursuits are essential elements of a full community life, and there must be opportunities for all New Zealanders to take part in recreational activities regardless of age. There is also an increasing need to encourage youth participation in these activities. Outdoor sporting and recreational activities play an important part in the lives of many New Zealanders. The National Party recognises this and, as Government, will ensure that reserves, forest parks and wilderness areas are set aside to provide opportunities for tramping, shooting and fishing.  POLICY.  1. SPORTING TOURS.  The National Party strongly believes in the responsibility and autonomy of sporting and recreational bodies. Under a National Government there will be no political interference in sport, in any form.  Sporting organisations will be free to associate with any sporting groups from other countries regardless of race, colour, creed or internal politics.  2. ADMINISTRATION.  * A National Government will appoint a minister of Recreation and Sport.  * A National Government will appoint an independent and representative Council for Recreation and Sport.  * The Council will have separate sections dealing with recreation and sport and employ people expert in these fields at both. national and regional levels.  3. FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL.  * The Council will investigate and support the provision of facilities for regional and community use.  * The Council will provide or support the training and employment of specialist personnel to implement local and national programmes for recreation and sport.  * The Council will establish a Research and Priorities section which will assist in determining the recreational and sporting needs of our people and of particular regions.  * The Council will sponsor a National Coaching School.  * The Council will encourage overseas tours of national representative teams taking into account an integrated national programme for overseas representation of sports, which can benefit from the stimulus of international competition.  * The Council will sponsor teachers, coaches and others actively involved in community recreation and sport.  * The Council will be asked to investigate the merit of "per capita" grants to individual recreational and sporting organisations.  * The Council will provide a Diploma in Recreation and Sport.  4. REGIONAL COUNCILS.  * recreational councils will be encouraged throughout the country. They will be responsible to territorial regional authorities where one exists. or will work through existing local authorities. Local consultative committees will continue to operate during any phase-in period.  * These councils will consist of people involved in recreation, sport and youth throughout the region.  * They will include representatives of sporting bodies, voluntary recreational organisations and youth groups. indeed be community-oriented.  * The Council for Recreation and Sport will be represented in each region by an officer of the Council who will liaise with the Regional Councils, Local Authorities and community organisations to ascertain the needs and priorities of each region.  * Local Authorities will be encouraged to appoint Community Recreation and Sport Officers.  5. FINANCE.  * A yearly allocation will be made for Recreation and Sport.  * The allocation of finance through the Regional Councils would be available for distribution for regional and local projects )n the following forms.  (a) Grants for multi- or dual-purpose facilities that can be used constantly by the whole community .  (b) Assistance to individual organisations for specific purposes and facilities.  (c) Medium term interest bearing loans for capital projects.  (d) Assistance for a wide range of projects, especially recreational facilities in community institutions.  EDUCATION.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. L.W. Gandar.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  EMBARGO. This statement must not be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or its content paraphrased in any publication or broadcast before 0030 hours on THURSDAY 16th OCTOBER, 1975.  EDUCATION POLICY.  1. Philosophy.  The National Party believes that Education is a precious and vital area of political responsibility. The individual's educational opportunity, the moral, social and cultural quality of the community and the economic resourcefulness of our society largely depend on the well-being of the education system. We believe that it should aim to produce responsible and effective citizens for the future society. We shall seek to ensure that life-long opportunities are provided for each person to develop his talents and skills to the full. This policy, therefore, provides for the involvement of parents, educators and students in devising and implementing programmes that will promote sound family relationships, effective work, responsible citizenship, cultural enjoyment and adaptability to change. It will ensure the full and continuing use of democratic consultation at all levels in order to maintain the quality and efficiency of opportunity undiminished by reason of sex, race or background.  2. LIFE-LONG EDUCATION.  The National Party believes that life long education is the keystone of all educational policies. It is the integration of learning into our work and leisure. It is not just a part of education, but a whole in itself. It will be the basis of policy which will offer greater freedom to the individual to choose what to study and when to study. It will include full- and part-time study, correspondence and co-operative education, many forms of self education and will be interchangeable between school and community. A National Government will develop in consultation with all interested groups a continuing education bursary to extend these options as widely as possible. Such an educational entitlement would be the right of all New Zealanders at least once in their lifetime. Because of the financial cost, its development would have to be introduced in stages with the ultimate goal of permitting everybody the opportunity to a "second chance" education.  3. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  Education is also a business. It is our business. There is a constant need for re-appraisal of the systems of management, the best use of finance and other resources and the involvement of people. Some measures to make more effective use of resources are long-term. others can be implemented immediately. To obtain the best from our educational system, a National Government will.  ...Review the organisation of the Department to take into account the greater involvement of a much wider cross-section of the community.  ...Examine the need for a wider devolution of administration and decision-making.  ...Expand the process of democratic consultation at all levels by re-defining the roles of teachers, parents, students and the community in policy and decision-making.  …Encourage greater flexibility in educational institutions and extend the range of activities of schools and colleges, community colleges and other tertiary institutions.  ...Develop a limited number of existing institutions as Community Learning Centres to use and evaluate the resources available for greater community involvement in continuing education.  4. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.  The National Party accepts the primary importance of early childhood education. All parents should have the opportunities of early childhood education available for their children. We will, therefore.  ...Continue the voluntary involvement of parents and community in early childhood activities.  ...Provide support and administrative backing to ensure early childhood education is generally available where feasible as an integral part of the education system by 1980. We shall concentrate first on the special areas such as new housing suburbs and regenerated inner-city areas.  ...Extend the opportunities for children in remote districts to participate through radio and television.  ...Work for a unified teaching service which includes kindergarten teacher training and pay scales linked with primary teachers.  …Investigate ways of increasing aid in the purchase of high-cost land in older developed areas for early childhood facilities, while at the same time expanding the use of existing educational land for these purposes.  …Provide greater emphasis on educational rather than custodial care for older children in day-care centres in consultation with the Social Welfare Department which licenses these facilities.  5. Continuing Learning.  The National Party believes that professional training in almost all disciplines is vital in society. We shall accordingly continue the planned and business-like development of university, technical institutes and community colleges. A National Government will.  ...Undertake continuing studies of tertiary education and its expanding role in society.  ...Encourage the tertiary institutions to provide more varied entry, wider exchange of credits and greater co-operation.  …Encourage greater co-operation by tertiary institutions with the Vocational Training Council and bodies such as the N.Z. Council of Education Research and the DSIR.  ...Encourage tertiary institutions to develop advanced professional studies.  ...Support the principle of an autonomous university system with funds channelled through an independent University Grants Committee.  …Support the imaginative development of courses in technical institutes to meet not only the specific needs of the farming, manufacturing and servicing industries, but many other aspects of vocational training.  Because we believe that entry into tertiary institutions should be open to all qualified for entry, and because the Standard Tertiary Bursary, to be introduced in 1976, will create more anomalies than it seeks to eliminate, we shall.  …Retain the present level of allowances paid to student teachers.  …Reinstate the A and B bursaries at the same values and on the same conditions as applied in 1975.  ...Place technical institute students on the same relative basis as university students.  …Replace the Standard Tertiary Bursary as soon as negotiations will permit with a new Reformed Bursary increased to take into account costs and thereafter to adjust it annually.  ...Consult with student bodies, professional organisations and affected institutions on all aspects needed to reform the bursary system. These consultations will also include an examination of possible ways of extending the bursary system to give support to extra-mural and some part-time students.  6. COMMUNITY LEARNING.  National believes that life long education is now a practical necessity and that the community must become more involved in developing a flexible, democratic and continuing education system. Recognising the need for adult retraining and special interest needs of adults, National will accordingly..  ...Develop new and more flexible curricula and course guidelines for students and the community  ...Expand research and development of courses and curricula.  ..Expand a more efficient educational, social and occupational guidance and counselling service for both students and adults.  ...Encourage greater community and parental involvement in as many aspects of education as possible.  ...Encourage curricula and courses to suit different individuals and different communities and to provide.  * social and civic education.  * education in creative and expressive arts.  * education in health, physical education and recreation.  * Work-oriented courses.  * Work ethics, race relations, and citizenship courses.  We believe that moral issues should be seriously considered at school, but we also believe that the family has the prime responsibility. Instruction should result from careful and deliberate consultation with parents and with the absolute right in individual cases for the parent to decide.  ...As an independent Pacific nation we must consider individual and national needs for  a wider range of languages. We will therefore.  - give special priority to developing a wider range of languages and more flexible courses.  - include language facilities in Regional Resources Centres.  ...Create in the post-secondary field a greater variety for opportunities for learning and at differing achievement levels.  7. MULTI-CULTURAL EDUCATION.  Maori Education.  The National Party believes in the importance of cultural interchange in a multi-cultural society and will seek to expand opportunities in the field of education for all New Zealanders. The aim of this special emphasis should be to achieve increasing resources for Maori pupils to permit them to respond successfully and creatively to all the additional opportunities available at all levels. The third National administration will, accordingly.  ...Increase the number of Maori teachers and the number of special teacher courses  ...Continue programmes for the teaching of the Maori language and culture on consultation with the Maori Council and professional organisations.  ...Continue expansion of vocational courses and widened tertiary and adult courses  ...Give emphasis to the expansion of early childhood education in districts where Maori children can benefit from it.  ...Appoint more guidance counsellors in schools with large numbers of Maori children.  ...Give every encouragement to Maori children to take greater advantage of continuing education, or technical training and tertiary study.  ...Give special assistance to the independent Maori schools.  Islands Education.  The National Party also recognises the special opportunity for cultural interchange with the Pacific Islands and will, in consultation, develop special educational programmes to involve Pacific Islanders more heavily in New Zealand's educational system. In particular we will provide for the special needs of Pacific Islanders resident in New Zealand.  ... by the establishment of a Pacific Island Research and Advisory Section in Auckland linked with the Regional Resource Centre in Auckland.  ... by encouraging Teacher Colleges to develop special training programmes to assists in the teaching of English to Pacific Islanders.  ...by expanding the work of the Polynesian Education Foundation.  8. SPECIAL EDUCATION.  There are strong economic, social and humanitarian reasons for special education. Wherever possible, normal facilities will be used, but every child, no matter what his handicap, will be given full opportunities to an education suited to his potential.  Special training courses will be expanded to provide more remedial specialists, particularly in reading, child psychology and guidance.  Special efforts will be made to assist deaf, blind or crippled children, while preserving the greatest possible degree of normal school life.  9. RURAL EDUCATION.  National believes in equality of educational opportunities for all. We believe that the country school can serve as a model of community education and as a focus for the rural community. We will, therefore.  ...Develop a more flexible system of rural education. Where consolidation is thought desirable, the community and parents will be consulted at a much earlier stage.  ...Give greater priority to the building of good teacher accommodation to encourage staff into rural education.  ...Establish boarding bursaries at a more realistic level and review them annually.  ...Develop more five-day hostels.  ...Review the present levels of assistance to parents for transport.  ...Recognise the part played by the parents of correspondence school children by giving assistance to take their children to group courses.  ...Recognising the comparative professional isolation of country services, give greater opportunities to country teachers for in-service training.  The National Party believes in choices for children, parents and teachers. The National Party believes that, the State should not have the right to monopolise education. We believe that independent schools are entitled to receive from the State some contribution, for the part they play in the educational system. We accept that they, for their part, should broadly conform to the patterns of the State system, but should be encouraged to provide alternative educational opportunity, methods and content. For these reasons, the National Party will.  Review the Integration Act to ensure integration is entirely voluntary and in a form which will recognise, preserve, and protect the special character of integrating schools.  ...Provide a level of aid (as from 1976) equivalent to 50% of salaries on the basis of the 1970 formula.  ...Immediately restore the position of the abated schools within the existing formula.  ...Urgently review the abatement procedures to remove existing anomalies while retaining the principle of parity with State salary scales and staffing ratios.  ...Remove the barriers which prevent the free flow of teachers with similar qualifications and experience within a total system of State, integrated and independent schools.  The National Party recognises that only the very highest standard of professionalism can achieve the goals of education.  Teachers are to be regarded as educators rather than specialists in the transmission of knowledge. To this end, a National Government will, in consultation with professional groups.  ...Work for a unified teaching service  ... In the belief that it is important for teachers themselves to participate in continuing education and refresher programmes, give careful consideration to a scheme of refresher leave. This will be costly and difficult to implement but a National Government, believing in the principle, will gradually introduce such a policy initially by extending opportunities which currently exist over a much wider field.  ...Restore the right to deduct expenses incurred by teachers in their professional capacity.  ...Give women the same basis for transfer expenses.  ...Give support to the further training of young teachers in their first three years of teaching.  ...Move towards an integrated process of continuing education for teachers throughout their careers including exchanges of experienced teachers where possible within the branches of the service and the teacher colleges.  ...Establish more flexible staff ratios (particularly in difficult areas). School sizes, where these contribute to difficulties, will be limited.  ...Increase the number of teachers aides to relieve teachers of non-teaching duties.  12. TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES.  A National Government, recognising the increasing importance of resource material in modern education, will in conjunction with the professional groups.  ...Establish a National Education Resources.  …Unit based on existing publications, visual aids and film units within the Department to work in close conjunction with the Curriculum Development Unit.  Establish Regional Resources Centres which might initially be based on teacher colleges to work closely with the National Resources Unit.  ...Encourage the joint planning of new school and community facilities to give greater community use of school buildings and greater school use of community facilities.  ...Establish widely based media-oriented libraries in primary schools as rapidly as financial resources will permit.  …Expand as rapidly as resources permit, secondary school libraries.  ...Extend the training of librarians to ensure courses are open to teachers and librarians to qualify as school librarians.  ...Encourage the expansion of young adult sections in public libraries.  …Initiate as a matter or urgency in consultation with widely representative groups of educators, broadcasters and the community, pilot schemes in educational broadcasting, both television and radio, in schools.  ...In co-operation with television networks, expand the commissioning of films in the fields of our own natural history, literature, science and technology.  13. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH.  The complexity of any educational system and the new and ever-widening demands of parents, students and community makes it clear the need for greater knowledge, both of the present system and the need for change in the future. For these reasons, a National Government will.  ...Markedly expand development and research especially in the needs of life-long education.  ...Strengthen the Research and Planning Unit in the Department of Education.  ...Utilise the great wealth of research capacity available in many institutions outside the Department of Education, including teacher colleges, university Departments of Education, the Council for Educational Research and the Educational Development Council (formerly A.C.E.P.).  SPOKESMAN. Hon. R. D. Muldoon.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  ECONOMIC POLICY.  In 1972 New Zealand, for the first time in its history, had a higher level of overseas reserves than its total overseas debt. Inflation was at about 5%, the second lowest of the O.E.C.D. nations and economic activity was moving up towards full capacity under careful management and reasonable restraint. Three years of mismanagement, now admitted by the Labour Prime Minister, have destroyed that prosperity, dissipated our reserves, trebled the rate of inflation to 15%, well above the O.E.C.D. average, and turned New Zealand into an inter-national mendicant with an external deficit per head of population second only to Iceland.  We have borrowed some $2 billion in every market around the world that has been open to us and incurred annual interest charges of some $150 million, equal to our total receipts from butter and cheese.  SHORT-TERM STRATEGY.  The three years of the next Parliament will see economic policy very largely devoted to restoring New Zealand's shattered economy.  * Immigration which, in the last two years, has required resources of the order of $660 million, will be cut to the bone.  * Confidence will be restored to our export industries, particularly farming.  * Price and income control measures will be used as necessary counterparts the one of the other.  * The New Zealand content of the goods we require assumes an increased value and local production will be encouraged accordingly.  * Profitability will be restored to private industry so that jobs will remain available to the New Zealand work force.  * The taxation system will be used to give incentives for desirable economic activity.  * Trade negotiations will be conducted on the principle that we will not import the unemployment of other countries.  * We do not accept unemployment as a balancing factor in economic management.  * Continuous attention to economic trends and problems will replace stop-go and panic measures.  * The trend towards State ownership and control will be reversed and the vast superannuation fund which is designed to provide State ownership of industry will be abolished.  * A more flexible interest rate policy will be adopted and the controlled and uncontrolled markets will be brought closer together.  * Savings will be stimulated and thrift will be rewarded.  * A Committee of Enquiry will be set up to examine work done on inflation accounting in New Zealand and overseas and report on its application to the New Zealand taxation system.  * Savings accounts limited as to amount will be established in which deposits of individuals will receive an interest rate at least equal to the annual rate of inflation, thus preserving the purchasing power of a basic savings nest egg.  * The growth of Government spending will be curbed, thus enabling income tax increases to be, less than the 87% increase of the last three years.  * Small and contractual savings institutions such as building societies, credit unions, savings banks and life offices will be encouraged by appropriate incentives.  * Death duties which have escalated rapidly with increased property values will be reviewed at an early date.  National believes that a vital New Zealand economy depends on the harnessing of the creative resources and energy of every New Zealander and that individual effort should be adequately rewarded.  * National believes that the maximum possible amount of the earnings of the individual should be left for him to spend in the way that he chooses.  * National believes that the welfare state is an essential factor in the New Zealand way of life and that it can only be financed if a vital tax paying private sector is supported by an efficient public sector.  * National believes that the creation and issue of money should be kept in a balanced relationship with the production of goods and services so that the greatest degree of economic stability can be maintained and the value of all earnings, savings and other income safeguarded.  * National believes that a man who lacks a job represents a waste of effort that must be borne by the whole community. National supports a policy of full employment and recognised the dignity of labour.  * National believes that continued double figure inflation will destroy the basis of the New Zealand economy and cause untold misery to all New Zealanders. National regards the fight against increases in the cost of living as the most important single issue in economic management.  * National believes that in an increasingly inter-dependent world New Zealand must join and play a full part in international and regional economic organisation. We will make appropriate contributions and use the facilities that are available by way of borrowing and drawing rights to smooth out the cyclical fluctuations of an economy which remains dependent upon earnings from a small range of highly vulnerable export products.  * National will restore the co-operative, consultative mechanism of the National Development Council which was destroyed by the Labour Government and will resume consultation between the Government, the Departments of State, academic specialists, private industry including farming, and organised labour, so that the best interests of all of these interested groups and thus the best interests of New Zealand may be promoted.  National will recognise the vital' role played  by every section of productive industry, manufacturing, farming, building and construction, forestry, tourism, fishing, mining, as well as the transport and distribution sectors. National will provide the legislative climate and appropriate incentives to ensure the maximum possible productivity and output from each.  SPOKESMAN Hon. L.R. Adams-Schneider, M.P.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  PHILOSOPHY.  COMMERCE.  The National Party believes a dynamic system of commerce, broadly based in a free enterprise system, is essential to a modern economy. A National Government will accordingly work to assist.  * The free flow of commerce.  * The close co-operation of commercial and consumer interests.  * An ample supply of high quality goods.  * The highest possible standards for the consumer at home and for export.  II CONSUMER.  A National Government will provide a balanced legislative and administrative approach to the needs of both consumers and the Commercial Community.  1. Consumer Institute.  A National Government will expand and diversify the work of the Consumer Institute which will liaise with the Department of Trade and Industry in the area of consumer protection.  2. Joint Commercial-Consumer Working Party.  A National Government will set up a Joint Working Party consisting of officers of the Consumer Institute and Trade Associations to.  (a) Study consumer needs in the areas of information. wise buying techniques. product testing. misleading advertising. objectionable sales and service practices and the best methods of obtaining redress.  (b) Review existing commercial and consumer legislation including the Commerce Act.  (c) Recommend legislative and administrative procedures to provide better services for the consumer and fair and workable arrangements for the businessman.  III COMMERCE.  A National Government will work with Commercial bodies and Trade associations to develop competitive enterprise and maintain a vigorous diverse private sector as an essential part of New Zealand's mixed market economy.  1. Prices.  The National Party believes that a prices-incomes policy will be essential in the restoration of stability to the New Zealand economy. This will entail a continuation of price control. but a National Government will urgently review the existing regulations to establish a system which is fair to consumers, producers and distributors.  2. Services.  A National Government will develop and improve the services available to commerce through the following agencies.  * The Standards Association.  * The National Design Council.  * The Small Business Agency.  3. Small Claims Tribunal.  National believes there is a need for some institution to arbitrate speedily and at small cost where consumers and traders are at odds. A National Government will accordingly establish a Small Claims Tribunal with a referee to arbitrate on such cases.  4. Export Services.  New Zealand must continue to expand and diversify its exports and export markets. A National Government will accordingly undertake a major examination of the requirements of New Zealand manufacturers and traders to establish institutional requirements in the field of export assistance.  This review will include an examination of the ways in which the export services functions of the Export/ Import Corporation can be provided by the Department of Trade and Industry and the ways in which the trading functions of the Corporation can be provided by private enterprise.  Following this review, in consultation with interested parties, a National Government will establish export institutions to increase the effectiveness of the Department of Trade and Industry. and will actively promote the export trade through private enterprise.  5. Special Imports.  In order to continue the best possible selection of goods for consumers, a National Government will use token licences for comparative and competitive purposes in providing for the importing of a selected range of goods.  It will establish criteria for New Importers Licences in selected goods for qualifying firms without an existing entitlement. This will include qualifying firms falling within the area of the Small Business Policy.  SPOKESMAN. Air Commodore T.F. Gill, M.P.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  SOCIAL WELFARE.  The health, happiness and prosperity of our nation is dependent on the social well-being of our people.  National attributes the highest priority to this social well-being.  FAMILY LIFE.  National believes that 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.  To this end, under National, a Cabinet Committee will be set up to deal exclusively with matters affecting family life. They will be supported by an officials committee of representatives of all the ministries which normally have an impact on family affairs.  The Chairman of the Cabinet Family Affairs Committee will be the Minister of Social Welfare, and the secretariat will be provided by the Department of Social Welfare.  All new legislation will be examined to ensure that no measures are included which are inimical to family life and where possible to ensure that measures to strengthen family life are included. Existing legislation will be reviewed.  CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING FACILITIES.  There are many existing facilities such as schools, within our communities, which are provided by public funds and which are not fully utilised because of administrative difficulties.  At the same time the lack of facilities in many communities for cultural, recreational, hobby and sporting activities continues to adversely affect the social well-being of many, particularly young persons who have left school earlier than the average and find themselves lacking the companionship of their peers, and without the availability of facilities or of supporting organisations for social activities. The Ministers of Education, Social Welfare, Health, Police, Internal Affairs, Local Government and Recreation and Sport will enter into a partnership and will invite individual local authorities to join this partnership with a view to making greater use of public facilities.  CHILD CARE.  Children in day care, whether in day nurseries, day care centres, shoppers crèches or factory nurseries, will continue to be of particular concern. These will be licensed by the Social Welfare Department. (Free Kindergartens and Play Centres which are members of their associations do not need to be registered.) The emphasis for older children will move towards educational rather than custodial care.  Of even greater concern are those children who need day care but whose parents cannot afford to pay the full cost. Financial assistance will be provided through approved voluntary agencies to establish such centres.  SOCIAL WORKERS.  Training of social workers for work with voluntary agencies, local authorities or the Government will be expanded. When National set up the Department of Social Welfare in 1971 its intention was to increase social worker support to education, health and general community activities. This will be done.  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.  All the existing social security benefits will be continued, including the new Additional Benefits (except the Age Benefit which will be replaced by National Superannuation at age 60, at an increased amount and without means test).  The 1975 Christmas Bonus will be paid.  The provisions of the Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act will be implemented.  Social Security Benefits will remain at the level in force when National assumes office and will be reviewed at six-monthly intervals in accordance with movements in the Consumers Price Index, and will not be tied to the recently developed Beneficiaries Index. The use of the new Index so far this year has resulted in benefit rises which are less than the cost of living increases.  Allowable Income for Income-Tested Beneficiaries.  For all beneficiaries allowable income, without any reduction of benefit, will be the difference between the amount of benefit payable to a married couple, and 80% of the Average Ordinary-Time Wage. This amount would increase automatically with movements in ordinary wages.  Currently the married couple benefit is $51.26 and 80% of the Average Ordinary-Time Wage is expected to be $79.20 by November. Accordingly, the allowable income for beneficiaries without abatement would be $27.94.  Additional income to bring the total of abated benefit and income up to a level of 100% of the Average Ordinary-Time Wage would cause the benefit to be abated by $2 for every $3 earned.  Benefits will be abated by $1 for every $1 of earnings beyond this amount.  Concessions.  Telephone, television and rates concessions will continue for the same categories of beneficiaries, using the same means tests and at the same rates as are applicable when National assumes office.  Present benefits of $1.25 paid to beneficiaries for dependent children will be increased to $2. Those beneficiaries with two or more children are more severely restricted in their opportunities to earn additional income.  Eligibility.  More stringent checks will be made to confirm the continuing eligibility of beneficiaries.  Benefit reductions that discourage sensible sharing of accommodation by single beneficiaries will be reviewed.  THE NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.  A National Government will abolish the present New Zealand Superannuation Scheme and replace it with a pay-as-you-go, flat-rate superannuation, financed out of ordinary Government revenue.  The National Superannuation Scheme will pay retirement pensions to all New Zealand residents of ten years standing who are aged 60 years or more. The scheme will replace the present age benefit and universal superannuation.  Superannuation under the new scheme will be available as of right and will not be subject to any means test or income test and will provide substantially higher cash-in-hand payments to those over 60 who are presently receiving State benefits.  Superannuation will be taxed at source and will be regarded as taxable income.  National Superannuation benefits will be paid at one of two rates - married or single. The rate for a married couple will be 80% of the statistically determined Average Ordinary-Time Weekly Wage and the single rate will be 60% of the married rate.  The National Superannuation benefits will be recalculated every six months according to movements taking place in the level of the average weekly wage. Thus, retired persons will receive a benefit which is determined by the level of contemporary wage rates and which is related in spending power to contemporary prices and costs. Such a pension will not be eroded by inflation.  Every New Zealander of 60 years of age or more who has lived in New Zealand for at least ten years will receive National Superannuation regardless of how much tax they have paid during their working lives. It will, therefore, include present age beneficiaries and house-wives, all of whom are excluded from the present Labour Government scheme.  The requirement for ten years residence in New Zealand will normally be residence during the ten years immediately preceding the application. However, residence during the working life of the applicant will be taken into account and superannuation could be granted where all of the ten years does not immediately precede application. A usual requirement would be that at least some of this ten years be immediately preceding application.  If the National Superannuation scheme was fully an operation at November 1, 1975, the gross weekly benefit to a married couple would be $79.20, that being 80% of the (estimated) average weekly ordinary-time wage. The rite for a single person would be %47.52.  The benefit for a married couple will be paid an equal amounts go each partner and each would therefore receive, on this example, and at current rates of tax, a net $34.68 per week, making a net, cash-in-hand combined benefit of $69.36. The single person would receive a net $40.92 per week.  Payments will, is far as possible, be made according to the washes of the superannuating - by cheques or by direct credit to a Post Office Savings Bank, a Trustee Savings Bank, or a Trading Bank Account. Some better arrangement than the present cheque system will be sought for those who want a return to Order Book Payments.  The net $69.36 per week payable go a married couple and the net $40.92 payable to a single superannuating under the National Scheme compares with the present age benefit of $51.26 for a married couple and $30.75 for a single beneficiary.  On the death of a national superannuition, payments will continue for three months (13 weeks). This should take care of any minor bills or commitments that existed at the game of death.  PHASING-IN OF NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.  Phasing-in as necessary to enable the economy to be adjusted go the increased payments. Stage I in 1976 will commence it about mid-year, which will gave the game needed go pass the necessary legislation including the repeal of the present Superannuation Act, and to make the necessary extensive administrative arrangements.  Stage I in 1976.  * will remove the income test, merge the age benefit and universal superannuation to form the National Superannuation with payments commencing at age 60.  * will pay as National Superannuation to everyone 60 and over an amount.  - for married couples equal to 65% of the then current Average Ordinary-Time Wage.  - and to single superannuitants 60% of this married rate.  (The present rate of age benefit amounts to 51.8% of the current Average Ordinary-Time Wage.)  Stage 2, in mid-1977.  * will raise the National Superannuation payment to 70% of the then current Average Ordinary-Time Wage.  Stage 3, in mid-1978.  * will raise the National Superannuation to the full rate of 80% of the then current Average Ordinary-Time Wage.  REFUND OF LABOUR SUPERANNUATION SCHEME CONTRIBUTIONS.  When the National Government abolishes the Labour Government Superannuation Scheme, all balances in that scheme will be refunded, including the employers contributions, to employee account holders. No interest will be paid but the amounts will be treated as tax-free.  Private Schemes.  As the New Zealand scheme is dismantled, a National Government will consult with private scheme operators to ensure that any adverse side effects are minimised.  Private schemes will be treated as second tier, or supplementary schemes, and this field of activity will return to the situation existing before April 1, 1975.  The National Party, as the Government, will continue to give taxation concessions to the contributors to second tier schemes, which will be able to develop as before.  Effects on Other Benefits.  Special provision will be made for the under-60-year-old spouse of a superannuitant drawing the superannuation benefit, for single women over 55 years and for other benefits paid to those over 60 years of age. These benefits along with "Additional Benefit", will continue as before, subject to normal income testing. All TV, telephone and rate concessions which are currently payable to beneficiaries will continue under National at the same rates and to the same categories of persons and with the same income tests as apply under Labour when we take over.  The monetary advantages over other beneficiaries enjoyed by War Pensioners will be maintained.  Those single women aged between 55 and 60 years who at present receive the age benefit and further applicants who are eligible, will receive the domestic purposes benefit.  When one person who is married qualifies at 60, the rate of National Superannuation they will receive will be the single rate. When the other married person reaches 60 then each will receive half the married rate. It will be remembered that a single person alone receives 60% of the married rate and that a married couple, whether the marriage be a legal or a de facto relationship, will each as individuals receive half of the married rate.  In the event that a wife under 60 and her spouse over 60 were granted National Superannuation at the married rate both being subject to an income test, should the husband die the widow would normally revert to a widow's pension. However, the particular circumstances in each case would be examined and an application would be considered to bring the widow's pension up to the previous level of National Superannuation which the wife was drawing in her own right with a view to increasing the widow's pension to that amount with supplementary benefits, if this were necessary.  The bilateral arrangements which now exist as reciprocal arrangements between Great Britain and New Zealand and between Australia and New Zealand will continue, and will be reviewed where necessary as a result of our improvements.  The possibility of National superannuitants receiving their superannuation overseas will be examined, and this will certainly be permitted when our balance of payments and overseas reserves are in a healthy state.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. H.J. Walker.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  BROADCASTING AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY.  A National Government will actively foster the growth and development of an exciting and vigorous communications environment for the benefit of all New Zealanders in their social, cultural and economic pursuits.  National recognises that communications are a key both to national identity and to the nation's economic and social progress. Since technical developments in communications offer so much and are developing at a revolutionary pace a National Government will establish a Communications Commission under the control of the Postmaster-General, which will be responsible for the technical aspects of Broadcasting, telecommunications, and related services.  BROADCASTING.  There will be a Minister of Broadcasting, who will accept Parliamentary responsibility for the Broadcasting service, in New Zealand.  A Broadcasting Board of Directors will be responsible for administration of Broadcasting in New Zealand.  The two television channels and all publicly owned radio services will operate with maximum possible independence but within one State owned administrative organisation.  All broadcasting facilities and equipment will be available for optimum utilisation by each service.  The Communications Commission will be empowered to consider and adjudicate upon applications for warrants to establish and operate Radio, T.V. and F.M. stations.  (A) TELEVISION.  The Broadcasting Board will ensure that the two television channels provide.  1. Complementary programmes of the highest standard.  2. Creative competition in production of New Zealand programmes of all kinds, without undesirable duplication.  3. The priority required for the completion of the conversion to colour, and the second channel as quickly as possible.  4. Pre-school and other educational programmes in co-operation with the Education Department for transmission on weekdays during morning viewing time.  5. Provision for the inclusion of special "deaf readers" in appropriate programmes.  (b) Radio.  The Broadcasting Board of Directors will ensure that all areas of New Zealand having a reasonable population are covered by a nation-wide public service in addition to a commercial station, either public or private. The central and east coast areas of the North Island, and the West Coast and Central Otago in the South Island where reception is difficult, will be upgraded as expeditiously as is technically possible.  In addition to short-term warrants to cover trade fairs, etc. a short-term, and long-term special purpose broadcasting authorisation will, from time to time be issued for the broadcasting of non-commercial, educational, cultural and religious programmes.  STANDARDS.  The Broadcasting Board will be responsible for maintaining standards and will not permit programmes which are contrary to good taste and decency.  FM RADIO.  The Communications Commission will be empowered to issue warrants for the introduction of frequency modulation radio.  NEW ZEALAND FILM INDUSTRY.  To encourage the New Zealand film-making industry and the provision of more New Zealand material for television, a National Government will assist with the expansion of the National Film Unit so as to enable its facilities to be used more extensively by private film makers.  POST OFFICE.  The Post Office will retain its present character with independent management and control and will continue to be under the direct responsibility of the Postmaster-General.  TELECOMMUNICATIONS.  The Post Office will remain responsible for technical control of all telecommunications in New Zealand, including cable television.  CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM.  The Post Office will be required to explore and report on the technical aspects of a community based cable television system and its potential for New Zealand.  SPOKESMAN Rt. Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake, GCMG, CH, MP.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN POLICY.  I PHILOSOPHY.  The National Party sees New Zealand as an independent Pacific nation in an increasingly interdependent and co-operative world. A National Government will.  * Protect New Zealand's national interests in a world where there is a continuing struggle for recognition and existence.  * Extend international co-operation as the basis for a secure and progressive inter-national community.  * Follow effective foreign policies related to New Zealand's needs and to our international responsibilities.  II SOUTH PACIFIC.  The Anzac Partnership.  The National Party believes the Anzac relationship is vital to New Zealand and will, with Australia, work for.  * The restoration of confidence in Nafta and a more balanced partnership.  * The evolution of the Anzac pact as a basis for political as well as economic co-operation.  * The development of further Anzac institutions on a basis of equality including trade, foreign affairs and defence.  South Pacific Regionalism.  The National Party has always regarded the South Pacific as a region of immediate New Zealand interest and will accordingly.  * Promote the closest co-operation with the independent and self-governing states in the region.  * Develop New Zealand support for the South Pacific Commission (SPC), the South Pacific Bureau, and the South Pacific Forum as a basis for a secure, prosperous and interdependent South Pacific region.  III PACIFIC.  The National Party believes New Zealand must 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.  A National Government will strengthen New Zealand's relations with our traditional friends in North America - the United States, Canada and the Caribbean - and widen our links with the rapidly developing states of Latin America.  Anzus.  The National Party sees the Anzus alliance as a central element in developing New Zealand's vital political, economic, and technological, as well as our security interests. A National Government 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.  The National Party 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 links with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).  * Develop New Zealand's links with the great powers of Asia, particularly Japan, as a world centre for trade, industry and technology, and with China as one of the keys to the balance of power in Asia and the Pacific.  * Work with care to develop New Zealand's interests in Southern Asia, West Asia, and the Middle East as areas of primary importance to the world economy and security.  V EUROPE.  The National Party recognises the great value of New Zealand's traditional ties and the continuing importance of Britain and Western Europe to New Zealand. A National Government will accordingly work for.  * The extension of our political links with Western Europe and the maintenance of our special relationship with Britain.  * The expansion of our trading opportunities in the greatest market in the world and the development of a more permanent arrangement with the EEC on the basis of our specialised interests in grassland farming exports.  * The retention of Western Europe interest in the security of the Pacific.  Eastern Europe.  The National Party recognises the growing interest of Eastern Europe to New Zealand because of the importance of the region and of the Soviet Union and will maintain and expand relations.  VI AFRICA.  The National Party recognises the influence of African states in world affairs, and will work for improved relations with African States, particularly in the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international organisations.  VII INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND PROGRAMMES.  The National Party believes New Zealand has interests and responsibilities as an independent, outward-looking member of the world community and will promote.  * The United Nations call for international co-operation and development.  * The evolution of the Commonwealth as a family of nations with unique opportunities for co-operation.  * The elimination of Nuclear testing and Nuclear weapons proliferation.  * The strengthening of international law and order and New Zealand's United Nations peace-keeping capacity.  * New Zealand's role, following major international Conferences in the Law of the Sea, Population and Food fields.  * International co-operation in trade, finance and aid including acceptance of the target of 1% aid.  * Greater public and Parliamentary involvement in New Zealand's aid programmes.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. A. McCready.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  DEFENCE POLICY.  PHILOSOPHY.  A National Government will.  * Provide for the security of the people of New Zealand including the Island Territories, and coastal waters to territorial limits.  * Work with New Zealand's allies to provide for the defence of its essential trade routes and vital maritime communications.  * 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 a National Government will.  (a) Support the ANZUS Pact as the keystone of our collective defence policy.  (b) Work for a closer defence relationship with Australia.  DEFENCE POSTURE.  A National Government will develop a flexible defence posture, because of the uncertain strategic and defence environment. Such flexibility requires mobile units capable as task forces of.  (a) Ready deployment throughout the Pacific region.  (b) Co-operation with Allies at staff, planning and equipment levels.  (c) Integration with the forces of our principal allies.  (d) Support for United Nations Peace Keeping, emergency, civil or disaster action.  SIZE AND SHAPE OF OUR DEFENCE FORCES.  A National Government will ensure the availability of ready-to-go professional forces capable of sustained operations. New Zealand will maintain Navy, Army and Air Forces capable of integration with Allies in the Pacific region.  Adequate finance will be made available for the development and maintenance of.  (a) Adequately trained professional manpower.  (b) Better accommodation and equipment.  (c) Improved resources for training.  (d) Co-operation with Australia in a wider defence science and industrial base for long-term support purposes.  (e) The cadet force.  (f) Aid to the civilian sector in times of emergency.  PLANNING.  The Navy, Army and Air Force will continue to be maintained as separate services and to be planned and co-ordinated through the Ministry of Defence.  National will undertake forward planning of expenditure and re-equipment programmes on a 5 yearly basis to ensure that each service will be maintained as an up to date force.  A National Government will conduct a major review of Defence Policy to determine the nature and capabilities of the Armed Forces in the 1980s.  So long as our forces are welcome we will retain a presence in Singapore and Malaysia.  TERRITORIAL FORCE.  In light of changed conditions, responsibilities and commitments, a National Government will provide incentives to encourage recruitment on a voluntary basis and for young men to offer themselves for basic and unit training as well as extended service in the Territorial Forces.  Those who complete their 12 weeks basic training will receive the present $120 tax free gratuity, and those who complete the unit training requirements will be entitled to a $1000 interest free furniture or other loan on completion of such training.  REGULAR RECRUITMENT.  To give incentives to young men to volunteer for full time service to the armed services a National Government will after 12 years service make the normal two thirds of the housing loans available at an interest rate of 5% rebated to 3% for the first 5 years, the balance of any loan in excess of this amount to be at normal Housing Corporation rates of interest.  Furniture or other loans of $1000 will be available free of interest for servicemen after 12 years service.  There will be no time limit on eligibility for rehabilitation assistance.  EQUIPMENT AND ACCOMMODATION.  A National Government will maintain adequate equipment for the services and will focus more emphasis and resources on domestic service problems especially the improvement of living and working accommodation in all defence establishments.  DISABLEMENT AND WAR PENSION’S  A National Government introduced the annual review of the rates of disablement and war widows pensions. We will extend this review to cover all aspects of benefits for servicemen.  ASSISTANCE IN THE NON MILITARY FIELD.  A National Government will ensure that the Armed Forces provide constructive assistance in community affairs and will make their services available in all appropriate non-military fields such as Fisheries Patrol, Civil Defence and Search and Rescue.  V.I.P. FLYING.  As the personnel of the R.N.Z.A.F. are fully trained to perform V.I.P. flying, this work will be assigned to the Air Force.  SPOKESMAN. C.C.A. McLachlan.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION.  The prime aim of a National Government in the transport field would be to co-ordinate all transport services and equipment to obtain full utilisation so that the best result for the consumer could be obtained. Transport, as a service industry, is the largest single expenditure element in our economy. As such it is vital to the nation's well-being.  1. Transport Advisory Council (with Regional Councils).  A National Government will re-establish the Transport Advisory Council as the principal advisor to Government on transport matters. The reconstituted Council will be responsible for advising on transport co-ordination and will be given a limited decision-making role.  2. Road Transport.  National believes the transport user must be given a choice of mode in order to use that which proves most economical and efficient. Accordingly, the road transport industry will be given relief from legislative restrictions in line with recommendations made by the Wilbur Smith Report and in progressive stages with the environmental impact being assessed at each stage.  Heavy road transport will have the option of taking out either a national or a regional licence by application to the Licensing Authority who will assess the environmental and engineering factors.  In consultation with the industry, National will work towards transferring road taxes of heavy vehicles from Gross Vehicle Weight or Axle Weight to tyre weight, bearing in mind the gross weight restrictions necessary for bridging.  3. Urban Transport.  A National Government will give increased support, financial and otherwise, to the Urban Passenger Transport Council and begin implementing the main principles of the Carter Report on Urban Transport. Assistance will be made available to local authorities for capital expenditure.  4. Taxis.  A National Government will ensure that there are adequate licences available for taxis to meet public demand and it will be incumbent on the industry to have a full taxi service on the road at peak times. The Government will also ensure that the operators in the industry get a reasonable return for capital invested and hours worked.  National is very concerned for the safety of taxi drivers operating an essential service. Taxi regulations will be reviewed to eliminate those requirements which have the effect of placing drivers in potentially dangerous situations. Where drivers decide to fit protective shields these shields will be exempt from sales tax and the cost of fitting will be tax exempt.  5. Road Safety.  National will continue the efforts undertaken by previous administrations to reduce road accidents and death and injury resulting from them.  The permanent Parliamentary Select Committee on Road Safety will be continued and full support will be given to the Accident Research Unit.  National considers that the standard of driving must be the highest possible. In order to improve driver ability we will take steps to make driving tests more applicable to driving conditions.  Over a period of the next six years a photograph of the licence holder will be required to be inserted in every driver's licence as it comes up for renewal.  MARINE AND SHIPPING.  National's prime concern will continue to be the safety of those involved in marine transport.  1. New Zealand Shipping Corporation.  A National Government will review from time to time the operations of the New Zealand Shipping Line and its relevance to the needs of the day.  2. Coastal Shipping.  A National Government will set out to revive and resuscitate coastal shipping.  The use of tug and barge and motorised services on the New Zealand coast will be investigated and encouraged.  3. Ports.  National believes that an effective National Ports Authority is necessary for harbour planning and development and accordingly will review the Act and amend it where necessary. National will continue to support local harbour boards and acknowledges the essential services they provide in the transport field.  National will not in any way interfere with the work of the Harbour Boards.  Containerisation will be fostered as an essential development for efficient and hygienic export, as well as safe importation.  CIVIL AVIATION  In the interest of public safety a National Government will ensure that New Zealand Airports are adequately manned with technical staff.  1. Air New Zealand.  A National Government will continue to give full support to our international flag carrier - Air New Zealand - by purchasing and introducing modern equipment and techniques and by protecting its international routes through bilateral agreements or other acceptable means. Government to Government negotiations will be initiated for new air rights as desired.  2. Internal Airlines.  The National Airways Corporation will be given every encouragement, as will other carriers, to adequately serve domestic and tourist needs.  National will support the extension of tourist air services to the more remote and isolated tourist resorts not at present receiving such services.  3. Airports.  In order to provide improved air services, National will continue planning and construction of permanent, high standard terminal buildings at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, international airports.  4. Agricultural Aviation.  National fully recognises the importance of the agricultural aviation industry as a significant contributor to New Zealand's primary production and will accordingly encourage and support its development.  5. Meteorological Services.  Efficient and accurate meteorological services are essential. A National Government will provide the resources to ensure that such services are of the highest possible standards. It is proposed to upgrade the present services.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. J. B. Gordon.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  STATE SERVICES POLICY.  EFFICIENCY.  A National Government will ensure that New Zealanders are served by the best possible State administration. National places great value on an efficient Public Service and dedication of Government employees. Consequently it will ensure that the Service establishments are maintained at an acceptable level commensurate with the work involved.  MERIT AND EXPERIENCE.  National firmly believes that merit must be encouraged to enable a better administration to serve the people of New Zealand. It recognises that seniority and experience are important factors to be taken into account in making an appointment.  CAREER FLEXIBILITY.  National will undertake to study ways and means by which the public and private sectors can develop a measure of career reciprocity which will strengthen both sectors.  MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SERVICES.  A National Government will legislate to provide that any statutory restraints on unnecessary stoppages involving essential public services will apply across both public and private sectors.  No dispute of interest will be permitted by a National Government to be longer than three months without being referred by the service organisations to the State Services Tribunal for determination.  We will ensure that the State Services employee is paid on a fair and equitable basis in comparison with those doing similar and equivalent work in the private sector. To achieve this goal a National Government will.  * Negotiate on outstanding pay claims with due regard to employee rights and privileges and the public interest.  * Review the 1969 Act in the light of today's circumstances having regard to the economy and the need for co-ordination of tribunals covering state employees and their decisions.  * Develop an effective Pay Research Unit and ensure that participating employers receive regular survey reports.  SUPERANNUATION.  Under a National Government, State Servants will, on retirement, receive both their own Government and National superannuation at the qualifying age.  Spokesman. J.F. Luxton, M.P.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN POLICY SOUTH PACIFIC AFFAIRS.  Philosophy.  The National Party has always regarded the South Pacific as a region of immediate New Zealand interest and will accordingly.  * Promote the closest co-operation with the independent and self-governing states the in region.  * Develop New Zealand support for the South Pacific Commission (SPC), the South Pacific Bureau, and the South Pacific Forum as a basis for a secure, prosperous and inter-dependent South Pacific region.  ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.  A National Government, recognising the importance of economic development to social progress and better standards of life for the Island peoples of the South Pacific, will.  * Assist research into improved products and extend the range of agricultural possibilities, particularly for selected fruits and vegetables, as a basis for expansion of export incomes and tourist requirements.  * Assist stabilisation of the agricultural export market by establishing floor prices where feasible, for select products on the New Zealand market.  * Assist fishing enterprises by Island-manned vessels for supply to factory or overseas markets.  *Co-operate with the Island states in developing their-tourist potential as part of the wider South Pacific region.  * Facilitate increased employment opportunities in the islands by encouraging New Zealand manufacturers, through special taxation or depreciation allowances, to consider Pacific Island ventures, and where E.E.C. agreements are in force, to take advantage of wider export possibilities.  SOCIAL.  A National Government will assist the developing states of the region-in their plans for social progress, in particular by.  * Programmes to assist, establish or extend water supply where justified.  * Programmes to assist, establish or extend electricity supply.  * Providing assistance with communication improvements, including telephones and radio.  * Investigating with island governments the possibility of paying National Superannuation to former New Zealand residents who return to their homeland on retirement.  HEALTH.  * Work with regional and international agencies in the improvement of health standards.  * Assist in family planning.  EDUCATION.  * Assist the establishment of a South Pacific Examination Board.  * Supply an education advisory service with New Zealand trained teachers and specialists.  * Provide bursaries, scholarships, career or trade training facilities.  TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.  A National Government, recognising the importance of communications to small and remote Island states, will encourage the development of land, sea and air communications.  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.  MIGRATION.  A National Government will consider the needs of the independent and self-governed states in the South Pacific region and consult with governments on migrant flows.  POLYNESIAN AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND.  PHILOSOPHY.  National believes New Zealand's special relationship with the South Pacific region is reflected in the development of close relations with the independent and self-governing states of the region and in the growth of a significant Polynesian community in New Zealand.  A National Government will work with this community, its Church groups, and where necessary with governments, in programmes to assist Polynesian peoples who settle in New Zealand.  HOUSING.  A National Government will provide assistance for housing loans in line with Maori housing policy.  EDUCATION  National fully recognises the cultural difficulties and educational problems that arise for Polynesian migrants and their children. National will develop special educational programmes to involve Pacific Islanders more heavily in New Zealand's educational system. In particular, National will provide for.  * The expansion of early childhood education in districts where Polynesian children can benefit from it.  * The extension of the Polynesian Education Foundation.  * Organised seminars to provide educational and vocational guidance for secondary school pupils.  * Encouraging Polynesian children to participate in pre-employment and trade and career training courses.  * Establishing a Pacific Island Research and Advisory Section linked with the Regional Resource Centre in Auckland and with any English language and customs training centres that may be developed.  * Encouraging Teacher Colleges to develop special training programmes to assist in the teaching of English to Pacific Islanders.  COMMUNITY FACILITIES.  A National Government will, by way of incentives, encourage church groups to provide facilities for Polynesian communities, hostels, youth leadership, health, education and social facilities.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. H.J. Walker.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  RAILWAYS POLICY.  PHILOSOPHY.  National believes an efficient railways service, specialising in the carriage of passengers and goods by rail, together with air freight, ferries and road services, is the key to the New Zealand transport system.  National believes rail should be a servicing industry, operated principally on a profit oriented user-pay basis, but with the provision for some assistance to achieve economic and social goals.  National fully recognises the contribution of all who work for New Zealand Railways in providing the essential service for which they are responsible.  A National Government will.  (1) Encourage greater co-operation between New Zealand Railways and the private sector to ensure that the facilities and services essential to the carriage of an increasing volume of goods are provided.  (2) In co-operation with railways staff provide upgraded facilities and services and an efficient speedy rail system linking major centres.  (3) Take positive steps to provide urgently needed and appropriate rolling stock. An urgent review of the provincial rail car situation will be undertaken with a view to re-opening, if necessary, the tenders National had called in 1972.  (4) Upgrade railway workshops, and fully utilise their capacity, to provide as much of the required rolling stock as possible.  (5) Refurbish and upgrade electrical multi-unit stock and provide new units where required to increase passenger loading and conserve fuel.  (6) Retain the Wellington/Picton ferries as an integral part of the railway system. Replacement of the Aromoana will be given priority.  (7) Continue to subsidise the operations of the urban rail commuter services (in line with the recommendations of the Carter Committee report).  (8) Seek maximum co-operation between suburban rail and road services and city bus services to provide a complementary service. We will aim to provide a combined rail-bus ticket within regional authority boundaries.  (9) Review rail freight rates on assuming office.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. B.E. Talboys.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  1.PHILOSOPHY.  National believes regional development can best be achieved when local people, independent enterprise and central government work together in partnership to develop the resources of each region.  The role of central government is to provide the administrative framework and the necessary incentives while seeking a balance between regions within a national development programme.  In each region local initiatives and the activities of independent business concerns will provide the major employment opportunities for local people. 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 private concerns.  In encouraging the full utilisation of the resources of each region a National Government will ensure that full regard is given to environmental factors.  2. BASES FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT  The bases for development within a region are those industries based on its resources - its people, farming, forestry, tourism, fishing and minerals - as well as industries attracted by incentives provided by local authorities and by Government.  (a) Agriculture.  Recognising the importance of farming in a regional development programme, a National Government will encourage the expansion of pastoral, agricultural and horticultural industries and the processing of their products and by-products. The continuing development of irrigation and drainage schemes will extend the area of opportunity.  (b) Forestry, Fishing, Tourism and Mineral Development.  National, fully recognising the role which forestry, the fishing industry, tourism and mineral development can play in providing regional development, will promote the continued expansion of those industries.  (c) Industry  National will promote the industrial and manufacturing sectors as the basis for a greater range of regional development and employment opportunities.  3. MINISTER AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIAT.  Under a National Government there will be a Minister of Regional Development. There will be a multi-skilled Secretariat for Regional Development to serve the Minister and work with Regional Development Councils.  The Secretariat will provide administrative assistance to Regional Councils which will work closely with the National. Development Council.  National will ensure that the decision making process is streamlined, and that the Regional Development Councils are given a greater say in determining the pattern of development for their own region.  RESOURCES COMMISSION.  A Resources Commission will have as an important part of its functions the making of a more rapid, phased economic assessment of the resources on a regional basis.  The Commission will work with the Minister of Regional Development, the Regional Development Secretariat, Regional Councils, the Small Business Agency and independent enterprise in planning the utilisation of resources in the best interests of the regions and the nation.  5. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  A National Government will, in consultation with Regional Councils, provide.  (a) Government grants for programme evaluation, pilot development and initial production.  (b) Grants for re-location of staff and for staff re-training.  (c) Government guarantees, where required, to support local investment through regional financial institutions.  (d) Special investment allowances to be worked out on a scale basis in consultation with regional councils.  (e) "Pioneer status" income tax concessions for new industries developing local resources and which the Regional Development Councils identify as making a special contribution to the region.  (f) Special measures to encourage industry to develop outside Metropolitan areas.  (g) Freight assistance for selected industries.  National will expand the scientific advisory services and provide research and development grants as a basis for development.  National will also.  (a) Encourage investment and regional industry through the Small Business Agency and the Development Finance Corporation.  (b) Encourage and assist the Regional Development Councils and local authorities to plan together the housing programmes necessary to meet regional development needs.  (c) Encourage and assist the Regional Development Councils and local authorities to plan the transport facilities necessary to regional development.  6. DECENTRALISATION.  A National Government will promote decentralisation of Government departments in the interests of regional growth and opportunity.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  AGRICULTURAL POLICY.  National's agricultural policies are designed.  * To restore farmer confidence.  * To restore profitability to the industry.  * To encourage an increased level of on-farm investment.  * To achieve an increasing volume of agricultural production for export.  * To maintain a steady flow of young people into the industry through agricultural training and land settlement programmes.  * To ensure the best possible utilisation of our land resource.  * To encourage the development of irrigation schemes as a vital element in the quest for increased production.  * To ensure self-sufficiency in wheat production.  * To restore confidence to the farm servicing industries.  * To ensure that the social needs of those who live in our rural communities and rural service towns are adequately provided for.  * To remove the threat to security of tenure implicit in recent legislation.  * To ensure the farming industry retains effective producer control of the marketing of primary produce.  * To ensure the agricultural sector continues to play an important role in providing for regional and national development.  FARM INCOMES.  National is determined to achieve the levels of farm investment necessary to provide an increased volume of farm production for export.  National's Farm Incomes Policy is designed to ensure farm income levels that will provide this lift in farm investment.  1. Initial Review.  National will initiate an early review of.  (a) the present levels of support to the industry.  (b) the present forms of support with particular reference to fertiliser and weed control subsidies.  to ensure that these are adequate for the needs of the industry in the current season. The present lime and fertiliser application bounties due to expire on 31 December will be extended at least at the present levels until June 30, 1976.  2. Farm Income Sufficiency.  To ensure farm income sufficiency National will.  (a) restore sound economic management of New Zealand to give a much greater measure of control over farm costs.  (b) provide additional financial assistance, as required. This financial assistance to be injected through a combination of.  (i) Direct price support.  (ii) On-farm cost support.  (iii) Off-farm cost support.  3. Industry Stabilisation.  National will facilitate industry stabilisation in which each Producer Board operates an appropriate price smoothing scheme with prices set each year based on market trends.  Each industry will operate buffer (or stabilisation) accounts, such accounts to be kept separate from other Producer Board accounts and to be self-balancing over time.  Reserve Bank credit will be made available at 1 percent when a buffer account is in deficit. It is envisaged that basic, or minimum and trigger prices will be set for each commodity, as appropriate, at the commencement of each season.  National will negotiate with other Producer Boards with a view to setting up suitable arrangements for other major export commodities.  4. Farm Income Equalisation Account.  To encourage farmers to even out fluctuations in their individual incomes, National will pay interest on all money held in Farm Income Equalisation Accounts.  AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION COUNCIL.  National will review the organisation and operation of the Agricultural Production Council to provide a continuing review of the state of the farming industry, and will broaden the scope of the Agricultural Advisory Committees to provide local communities with a stronger voice in the development of rural policies and farming. The Agricultural Production Council will be provided with an independent secretariat.  MEAT HYGIENE.  National will hold early discussions with the New Zealand Meat Producers Board and the meat industry to.  (1) Determine how best to implement the meat hygiene regulations necessary to meet international standards.  (2) Determine the method of financing the necessary improvements.  LANDS.  PHILOSOPHY.  The National Party believes in the private ownership of land within a property owning democracy. A  National Government will ensure that all New Zealanders have the opportunity to own property, whether this be a home or a farm.  National will safeguard security of tenure of rural land.  Land Aggregation.  National will closely examine the proposed amendments to the Land Settlement Promotion and Land Acquisition Act as recently introduced to Parliament, particularly as they relate to land aggregation and the operation of ten man companies. In considering changes to the existing legislation the social and economic impact of land aggregation upon local communities and regions will be taken into account.  Foreign Purchase.  National believes that the ownership of land should remain in New Zealand hands. Therefore, the purchase of land by foreign interests will be strictly limited.  Legislative Review.  National will review legislation which tends to undermine property rights in a way that is detrimental to agricultural production.  LAND SETTLEMENTS.  Philosophy.  National's land settlement policies are designed to ensure that the maximum beneficial use is made of New Zealand's agricultural land.  Preamble.  The social structure of New Zealand's rural communities is based on independent farm ownership.  The incentive of possible farm ownership is a strong contributing factor in retaining an adequate, highly skilled labour force.  Enthusiastic new owners are normally more venturesome in adopting new farming techniques, this being reflected in increased agricultural production.  Farm Purchase.  To assist young farmers to purchase their first farm National will.  * Introduce an alternative farm ownership saving scheme to allow savings to be tax deductible up to a maximum of $4000 per annum and $50,000 per account. This scheme will operate as an alternative to the present Farm Ownership Savings Scheme and with no grant provisions. This account will be available for either the purchase of a first farm, or the purchase of stock and plant to go share milking or share farming, or under certain circumstances the purchase of a first home.  * Provide through the Rural Bank, special settlement loans of up to 20% of Rural Bank valuation where recommended by a Loans Committee, set up to make these recommendations. These loans will be additional to the normal purchase loan available from the Rural Bank, with principal plus deferred interest compounded and capitalised as a charge on the mortgage. The grounds for assessing whether a Special Settlement Loan will be granted will include the age, experience and qualifications of the applicant and any other factor considered relevant by the Committee.  Special Settlement Loans are designed to cover any shortfall up to 20% in a settler's equity with sufficiently flexible terms to enable a settler to meet his servicing charges on other borrowings without prejudicing his ability to develop. As and when his equity position permits, this loan would require servicing. This should occur within 10 years of loan being granted.  Thus, a qualified settler could finance his first farm on the following basis.  65% first mortgage.  20% special settlement loan.  15% deposit.  * Encourage retiring farmers to leave finance on mortgage by providing that in cases where the mortgage is for a minimum of seven years and at Rural Bank interest rates, 50% of the interest so earned will be free from tax.  * Advance money through the Rural Bank to bona fide farm workers or farm contractors on properties which would normally be considered of an uneconomic size, provided the Rural Bank is convinced that such loans can be serviced by income from the property or from off-farm income. Such assistance will not disqualify the recipients from obtaining Rural Bank assistance to purchase their first economic farm.  *Waive stamp duty on all first farm purchases.  Rural Bank.  Rural Bank lending policies will be broadened to cover share farmers requiring financial assistance in the purchase of plant, livestock and working capital, as in share milking ventures.  The Rural Bank will continue to provide adequate development loans at realistic rates of interest to enable necessary farm development to continue.  Crown Land Settlement.  (a) Crown lands capable of settlement will be developed at an accelerated rate and where feasible released to settlers at an earlier stage of development with provision for necessary development finance.  (b) The present system of ballot will be continued.  (c) Privately owned land offered for sale and suitable for re-settlement will be purchased where no other eligible settler is available. Such land will be released for settlement as expeditiously as possible.  Qualifications for Ballot.  Existing qualification requirements for Crown Ballots to continue except where the Land Settlement Committees consider that in the circumstances some of the requirements need not be fulfilled.  IRRIGATION.  A National Government, in recognising the need to increase the productivity of our farms in the lower rainfall areas of New Zealand, will give an increasing priority to the development and upgrading of irrigation schemes.  In achieving this policy National will.  (a) Promote an overall programme of water conservation, research and husbanding of water resources to ensure that sufficient water is available for all sectors.  (b) Give high priority to water resource surveys and to water allocation.  (C) Encourage projects that provide for storage and the multiple use of water resources and provide incentives where necessary to achieve this objective.  (d) Encourage the development of water harvesting as a further method of providing water for special purpose irrigation.  Scheme Development.  Irrigation will be developed as a combined enterprise between Government and the farming community.  In planning and developing irrigation schemes, the Ministry of Works and Development will have the responsibility for the design and construction of all major schemes. These functions may be delegated where desirable.  Financing of Schemes.  The financing and payment of subsidies for the building of approved irrigation schemes will be on the following basis.  (1) Government will be responsible for all works outside the irrigable area.  (2) Government will pay one-half of the cost of all works within the irrigable area.  (3) In the case of approved ground-water schemes Government will pay one-half of the cost of raising water to the surface.  (4) The Rural Bank will make finance available by way of mortgage for the one half of the cost of approved fixed on-farm works to be met by the farmer. Government's share will be in the form of a 10 year suspensory loan to be written off in 10 equal instalments. The Corporation is to exercise discretion in applying the above rules in the event of ownership changing because of family circumstances or hardship.  (5) Irrigators will pay the full cost of normal operation and maintenance.  (6) Old schemes which are approved for major upgrading will be treated as new schemes.  (7) Although the subsidy system is based on the surface flooding method, other forms of irrigation will be eligible for similar assistance.  General Policy.  (1) In order to qualify as an approved scheme an irrigation proposal must, in general, include a minimum of four farms and meet agreed engineering and cost/benefit standards.  (2) Subsidised on-farm development will be required to be carried out to an approved plan and timetable.  (3) All existing schemes will be re-appraised as soon as possible to advise the Minister of Works and Development on upgrading, operating and maintenance.  (4) Where warranted, accumulated losses will be written off as well as that portion of the capital cost of existing schemes for which a service charge is shown to be unwarranted.  (5) To ensure a more rapid completion of scheme development, environmental impact reporting will be initiated as early as possible in the planning of major schemes.  (6) Irrigators will be represented on all District Official Irrigation Committees to ensure a better liaison between Government Departments and farmers.  (7) The operation and maintenance of completed schemes will be taken over by Local Authorities wherever practicable.  RURAL WATER SCHEMES.  A National Government will encourage the construction of rural water schemes by continuing the present level of subsidy assistance.  WHEAT PRODUCTION.  National will implement a policy aimed at making New Zealand self-sufficient in wheat thus ensuring there is little need to spend overseas funds importing large quantities of grain.  Upon becoming the Government National will.  (1) Have immediate discussions with appropriate representatives of the industry, to review.  (a) the role and functions of the New Zealand Wheat Board.  (b) the method of recommending an adequate price to the grower.  Any change in price setting will not change the present retention formula whereby wheat growers accept the responsibility for any profit or loss in the disposal of any surplus in production in excess of self-sufficiency.  (2) Review the incentives available for the storage of wheat.  FARM WORKER ASSOCIATION.  National is very conscious of the contribution made to agriculture by career farm workers. A National Government will take steps to accord the Farm Workers Association of New Zealand full rights of representation for farm workers.  SOCIAL ASPECTS.  A National Government will ensure that the social needs of those who live in our rural communities and rural service towns are adequately provided for.  1. Rural Education.  National believes inequality of educational opportunity. We believe that the country school can serve as a model of community education and as a focus for the rural community.  A National Government will, therefore.  Develop a more flexible system of rural education. Where consolidation is thought desirable, the community and parents will be consulted at a much earlier stage.  Give greater priority to the building of good teacher accommodation to encourage staff into rural education.  Establish boarding bursaries at a more realistic level and review them annually.  Develop more five-day hostels.  Review the present levels of assistance to parents for transport.  Recognise the part played by the parents of correspondence school children by, in the first instance, giving assistance to take their children to group courses.  Recognising the comparative professional isolation of country services, give greater opportunities to country teachers for in-service training.  2. Rural Housing.  (a) Farm Housing.  National will encourage farmers to up-grade farm housing by continuing to make finance available, through the Housing Corporation, to County Councils for lending to farmers.  (b) Farm Worker Housing.  National, recognising the problem faced by career farm workers in seeking to obtain a home of their own, particularly for retirement, will.  (i) Ensure that loan money is available, through the Housing Corporation, to enable farm workers to build or buy a home for occupancy in a town or township near to their place of employment (subject to other Housing Corporation criteria being met).  (ii) Make it possible for bona fide farm workers nearing retirement to borrow money from the Housing Corporation to purchase a house, even if that house is not to be occupied by the owner initially. A 65% loan will be available, provided the home is let at rentals approved by the Housing Corporation. The loan scheme will apply to those who have lived 10 years or more in tied accommodation and preference will be given to those approaching retirement.  (iii) Provide for money accumulated in a Farm Ownership Savings Account to be available after 10 years for the purchase of a first home as an alternative to a first farm.  (c) Joint Family Home on Farms.  National will extend the joint family homes legislation to make it possible to settle farm homes as joint family homes.  3. Rural Medical Services.  The last National Government implemented a number of special measures designed to encourage doctors to practice in rural areas. These measures will be continued.  National's health policy is designed to ensure that those who live in rural areas receive medical care comparable to that available in urban areas.  4. Rural Women.  The National Government will remove the restriction placed on rural women so that women who assist in a farm enterprise by bookkeeping and other secretarial duties may be paid and the payment made tax deductible.  At present payment is allowable only for outside work which is unfair and discriminates against rural women. Urban women are permitted to assist in family businesses and receive payment.  In view of the deficiencies within the Report of the Select Committee on Women's Rights concerning the role of rural women, National will support the current survey on rural women being undertaken by the Women's Division of Federated Farmers in association with the University of Canterbury Sociology Department, by way of financial assistance should that prove necessary to complete the survey.  5. Social Research.  In a predominantly urban society the social needs of those who live in rural areas can be overlooked.  National encouraged the Agricultural Production Council to undertake rural social research to obtain a better understanding of rural social needs.  National will give priority to further social research, with particular reference to.  (i) the farm manpower situation.  (ii) age structure of farmers.  (iii) the role of rural women.  (iv) rural housing and living standards.  (v) rural community life.  National will take such action as is necessary to overcome social constraints to growth in the agricultural sector.  Wine industry  The National Party welcomes the agreement reached by the winegrowers and the wine makers to establish the Wine Institute of New Zealand under the Incorporated Societies Act  6. COMMUNICATIONS.  National is very conscious of the importance of good roading to those who live in rural districts. National will pursue the upgrading of rural roads as a matter of priority.  National will extend the rural mail service to ensure a five-day service for all but the most isolated box holders.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. B.E. Talboys.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  1. PHILOSOPHY.  The National Party, having pioneered national planning on a co-operative and consultative basis, remains convinced that such planning is essential to a modern forward-looking nation to enable it to share and play its part in an age of scientific and technological opportunity.  A National Government will improve co-operative planning methods to provide the greater precision needed for the management of a diverse society and economy in an age of greater affluence, rising demands, and increasing population.  2. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.  A National Government will make the National Development Council a more effective consultative system to assess priorities, to evaluate suggested programmes, and to act as a reference point for economic and social planning.  Social Council.  National, recognising the pressure on a modern and affluent multi-racial society, will strengthen the Social Council of the National Development Council. expand research facilities, and speed up sociological research as a basis for action to meet our social problems, adjust to change and improve the quality of life.  III COMMISSION FOR THE FUTURE.  A National Government, recognising the need for long term thinking and planning, will establish a Commission for the Future in association with the Minister of Science. The main function of the Commission will be to consider, study and recommend policy options for the future as might seem appropriate to determine the impact on and consequences for the long term development of New Zealand.  Such a Commission will need to be incorporated by Act of Parliament. It would be expected to consult with Departments of State, the N.D.C. planning organisation and other interested institutions and organisations such as the Royal Society of New Zealand.  Because of its importance, it is envisaged that there should be a bipartisan approach. The Commission would ultimately consist of a number of independent members, Members of the Opposition and the Ministers of Science and National Development.  One of the Commission's first duties will be to recommend priority areas for study. These would include.  1. New Zealand's population patterns and projections.  2. Long term consequential constraints on agricultural production that might occur as a result of pressures on world resources, such as phosphates and oil, and how we can adapt to these pressures.  3. Social development in a multi-cultural society with special reference to health, welfare, education and family needs.  4. The role of science, with special reference to the dramatic new technologies such as computers and lasers, and the new range of opportunities in biology, genetics, minerals, industry, oceanography and aquaculture.  5. The long term implications of communication and transport requirements.  6. The possibilities of world catastrophic events and their possible impact on New Zealand.  The Commission would have the responsibility of making information on these and other topics publicly available by issuing reports and in any other suitable ways.  The Commission would initiate public discussion on its reports and on issues affecting New Zealand. Special emphasis would be placed on ensuring that Members of Parliament have opportunities of informing themselves on options for the future discussed in Commission reports and in other areas within the Commission's responsibility.  The Commission would be expected to establish links and co-operate with similar organisations in other countries.  4. REGIONAL COUNCILS.  a National Government will involve Regional Development Councils in the National Development Council and provide for regional representation on National Development Council sector councils.  The Regional Development Councils will report directly to a Minister for Regional Development.  5. PARLIAMENT AND THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.  A National Government, recognising the importance of legislative and financial assistance, will arrange for joint meetings of Parliamentary Select Committees and National Development Council sector councils.  6. SECRETARIAT FOR THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.  A National Government will establish a Secretariat for National and Regional Development to service the National Development Council with its sector councils and linked regional councils. and to co-ordinate Government activity and the work of departments in establishing and achieving planning targets.  7. STATISTICS.  A National Government will upgrade and develop the statistical services essential for effective planning, will make full use of computer models and will make this information widely available.  SPECIAL AREAS.  (a) The economy.  A National Government will give priority to planning for economic management and development.  (b) Strategy for industrial growth.  A National Government will pursue a policy of industrial development based on the need for greater self-reliance in a world of change and uncertainty and on the importance of a flourishing industrial sector as an essential element of a modern economy.  (c) Agricultural  A National Government will develop New Zealand's skills and capacities in the production of food to make this country a centre for food technology in a hungry world.  (d) Wood Technology.  A National Government will widen planning for the use of our unparalleled forestry resources and skills as a basis for developing wood science and wood utilisation, including chemical based technology.  (e) Marine Technology.  A National Government will plan for New Zealand participation in the growth of marine technology, including under sea bed resources, and the utilisation of New Zealand's immense maritime resources.  (f) Minerals.  A National Government, because of the importance of minerals to a modern economy will prepare a priorities plan for the development of known mineral resources and the examination and assessment of unassessed resources.  SPOKESMAN. W.L. Young.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  ROADING POLICY.  National has always recognised the important part that roading has played and will continue to play in the development of New Zealand. It was a National Government that established the National Roads Board in 1954 with a view to long term planning and the provision of appropriate finance for road and bridging construction and maintenance. Today more than ever before we are dependent on roading for surface transport.  Improved roading conserves oil fuel, assists regional development and in specific areas benefits tourism. With this in mind National is pledged to.  * Re-establish the independence of the National Roads Board free from political interference.  * Retain the District Roads Council system providing maximum involvement of local people in setting priorities for local works.  * Secure an updated 5 year plan from the National Roads Board setting out priorities. We recognise that the benefit from roading reconstruction and the capital involved does not bear fruit until it is in use. Therefore, particular emphasis will be placed on the completion of works and adequate maintenance rather than the opening up of new works and the diverting of resources.  * National will arrange a conference between the Works Department and Private Road Contractors with a view to utilising to the full and in an efficient manner the resources and expertise of both Parties.  * Provide extra finance to augment existing revenue, compatible with the overall resources of the country and the capacity of the construction industry to allow scale of works to be stepped up.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. D. S. Thomson  EMBARGOED Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  This statement must not be published or broadcast in part or in whole, or its content paraphrased in any publication or broadcast before 0030 hours on Thursday, 30th October 1975.  LAW AND ORDER POLICY.  PART I PHILOSOPHY.  National will maintain the Rule of Law. A National Government will uphold the principle that all citizens are equal before the law and equally subject to the law of the land, and that the law will be administered by open and independent courts, free from interference or direction by the Government. The laws themselves should be clear and certain.  National believes that our streets should be kept safe for people to walk in. We will support the police in their endeavour to maintain law and order.  POLICE.  A National Government will expand the size and increase the effectiveness of the Police in crime prevention. Their responsibility for enforcing the law without favour or affection, malice or ill-will will receive the full support of the National Government. Particular attention will be given to.  * A continuing survey of the manpower needs of the Police in relation to the tasks and demands made on them. Special attention will be given to the maintenance of mobile team policing and to the adequacy of crime prevention and patrolling in suburban residential areas, where the need for an effective police presence is recognised.  * Making good the shortfall in Police housing and the supply of logistic support to cover the increases in manpower.  * Pay and conditions in the Police Service, including engagements and, where found beneficial for optimum effectiveness, shorter term engagements.  * Consolidation of the Police Offences Act, to clarify and modernise the law relating to public behaviour and to remove uncertainties as to the adequacy of its provisions.  * Expansion of the Youth Aid Section, including the desirability of experienced policemen and policewomen working together in support of school and other authorities to achieve a better understanding by children and young people of the civic rights and responsibilities of the individual.  * Expansion of the J-Team co-operation between other Government Departments and the Police, and extensive crime prevention programmes to acquaint the public with their capacity to help the Police maintain law and order.  PENAL INSTITUTIONS.  The prison service will have the full backing of a National Government in carrying out penal policy.  * National will develop the existing penal institutions to give flexibility in methods of detention and rehabilitation.  * National will ensure that the penal institutions are well staffed and have the necessary psychiatric support.  * National will ensure that prison industries should be designed to contain incentives and to help the prisoner after his release.  PROBATION SERVICE.  National will extend the work of the probation service and encourage greater involvement by the public in pre and post release assistance.  LAW AND ORDER - PART II.  ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE POLICY FAMILY LAW.  * National recognises the need for major reforms in this area of the law which as it currently stands, can lead to bitterness, suffering, injustice to both sexes, and exploitation of one spouse by another.  * Protection of the institution of marriage and the family unit will govern any approach to family law reform by a National Government.  * National believes that, as far as possible, the law relating to the family should be brought together under the one Act.  * National will legislate for the granting of divorce where the Court is satisfied, after a two year compulsory waiting period, that the marriage has irreconcilably broken down. The legislation will require consultation and a genuine attempt at reconciliation, but will not require proof of fault.  * National believes that the law must treat marriage as a partnership of equals with reciprocal obligations, and will legislate to provide for a rebuttable presumption that, when a marriage is legally terminated, matrimonial property acquired during the marriage is to be shared equally between the spouses. The courts will be permitted to override this presumption where considered necessary in the interests of fairness and equity.  * National also recognises the need for major changes in the law relating to maintenance and custody, and will call for a comprehensive study of these areas.  * All the recommendations affecting family law matters in the Report of the Select Committee on Womens' Rights will be given close study, and appropriate legislative changes will be made where considered necessary.  * Consideration will be given to setting up a special family law court to deal with all legal matters affecting the family.  PRIVACY LAW.  * National believes that every individual's right to privacy should be protected. It is opposed, however, to the proliferation of privacy authorities set up by the Labour Government. The powers of these authorities will be vested in the Human Rights Commission. The Commission will be given authority to investigate any allegation of breach of individual privacy by State and local authorities, community and private organisations and individuals.  * Exercise of the right to approach the Human Rights Commission will in no way be allowed to prejudice an individual's right to approach the courts.  * National will ensure absolute protection for the privacy of all records of individuals at the Wanganui Computer Centre. it will also ensure the right of all individuals to know what information about them is recorded at the Centre.  COMMERCIAL LAW.  * The National Party recognises that recent experience has indicated the need for greater, more integrated coverage and flexibility in the law relating to commercial activities. National will review the law and its administration for the better protection of investors, shareholders, creditors, and others adversely affected in the event of financial collapse, failure with attending economic loss, and malpractice to.  (a) better anticipate such occurrences, and.  (b) deal with them more speedily and effectively if they do occur.  The Companies Act will be amended where found necessary to serve the needs of the community more effectively.  DEFAMATION LAW.  The National Party stands strongly for both freedom of expression, and for the right of the individual to protection from genuinely harmful consequences of defamatory statements.  It accepts that there are imperfections in the existing law relating to defamation, and will look at proposals for making it more fair and certain, and less inhibiting.  THE LEGAL PROFESSION.  National will encourage better communication between Government and the legal profession on matters relating to the law and its administration.  National will initiate discussions with the New Zealand Law Society as to the adequacy and suitability of existing machinery to deal with complaints from those dealing with the legal profession.  LAW REFORM.  National will continue its previous responsive and fruitful involvement in law reform.  The basic soundness of the existing law reform machinery is recognised. the Law Reform Council will be retained. the Law Reform Committee structure will be expanded if the need is established. requisite research facilities will be provided.  STATUTORY REVIEW.  National believes that statute law must be as precise and as easily understood as possible. As resources allow the work of statutory review and consolidation will be intensified. A study will be made of.  (i) the presentation of statutes and the use of new technological aids to improve access to details of statutes.  (ii) the practicability of making "ready reference" summaries of the contents of Acts of Parliament available to the public on payment of a small fee.  REGULATIONS AND ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL.  National views with concern the great growth in the volume of regulations in recent years. Consideration will be given to setting up permanent review machinery to recommend to Parliament areas where revision, abbreviation, or deletion should be effected.  LAND TRANSFER SYSTEM.  The next National Government will take all steps found necessary to provide the requisite staffing, facilities, and new technological aids for ensuring a smooth and expeditious flow of documents through the Land Transfer Office, and an effective land records and information service.  PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.  National supports increased participation of women in the judicial system, and recognises no sex barrier so far as the exercise of any judicial office is concerned.  A National Government will review the procedure for making judicial appointments to ensure that suitably qualified women are given the same consideration as men.  The appointment of more women as Justices of the Peace will be encouraged, and the differentiation between the public rights and responsibilities of men and women with respect to jury service will be removed.  THE COURTS.  National recognises the need for a less costly, speedier, and generally more efficient administration of justice in our courts and believes that the time has come for both a complete overhaul of the structure and organisation of the Court system in New Zealand, as well as a comprehensive reform of proceedings to make the courts both more businesslike and less impersonal, while respecting the unique character of judicial proceedings.  The next National Government will, as soon as possible, give attention to expedients for improving the situation in the courts in the short-term. such expedients could include, for example, extra judges and magistrates, new court machinery to deal with lesser criminal charges, family law, and small claims. extended magistrates court jurisdiction. extended and more flexible hours for court sittings. more extensive use of trained Justices of the Peace.  In view of the profound and rapid changes taking place in court business National believes that early attention must also be given to the long term. To this end an independent commission of enquiry, comprising laymen, as well as lawyers, will be set up to investigate the administration of the whole court system on an integrated 'in depth' basis.  National will take whatever steps may prove necessary to ensure that every person seeking protection from the Courts (by way of injunction or any other available procedure) is not prevented from exercising that right.  The recently enacted provision prohibiting publication of names of accused persons unless the Court otherwise orders will be repealed.  LEGAL AID AND ADVICE.  National supports the aims of the legal aid and duty solicitor services and will continue to give them backing.  National supports the idea of a neighbourhood law centre pilot scheme to ascertain the extent of an unmet need for legal services.  LIQUOR LAWS.  National will give close consideration to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Sale of Liquor in New Zealand with a view to further modernising the laws relating to liquor.  National will establish an Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council as recommended by the Royal Commission.  ENERGY RESOURCES POLICY.  SPOKESMAN. Hon-E.S.F. Holland.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  ENERGY RESOURCES.  Energy in all its forms is an important factor in determining the growth of the New Zealand economy and the preservation of our life style.  A National Government will ensure that there is.  (a) Adequate long-term planning to enable the most efficient generation, distribution and use of New Zealand's energy resources.  (b) Proper emphasis given to environmental factors in plans for the use and development of energy resources.  (c) Continuing research and investigation into new forms of energy as well as continuing development of existing resources.  (d) Conservation of all energy resources and elimination of wasteful and extravagant energy consumption.  PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION.  The importance of energy demands that energy policy is planned and administered by a single authority. National believes it would be in the best interests of both consumers and producers if all forms of energy production, development, conservation and distribution were co-ordinated so that the most efficient use is made of each resource.  1. National will raise the status of the ministry of Energy Resources so that it has the responsibility for administering our total energy policy and the authority to ensure that the policy is put into effect.  2. A National Government will establish an Energy Resources Planning Commission to carry out and publish regular reviews of New Zealand's energy resources. It will be responsible for recommending various energy policy alternatives.  To enable individual and sectional points of view of the direction that energy development in New Zealand should take, the Commission will be empowered and encouraged to seek and receive advice from specialist interest groups.  3. The New Zealand Electricity Department will continue to have full responsibility for the technical and operational aspects of electricity generation, and will work within the framework of a policy established by a Minister of Energy Resources.  ENERGY CONSERVATION.  Energy conservation is the efficient use and management of New Zealand's energy resources by both the producers and consumers of energy. A National Government will.  1. Require the Ministry of Energy Resources to prepare and administer a programme to eliminate wasteful uses of energy.  2. Re-examine the conversion of energy with a view to improving the efficiency of conversion of energy from one form to another, e.g. total energy systems.  3. Aim to reduce New Zealand's dependence on expensive imported oil and oil products.  4. Review the present building insulation specifications to provide for a minimum standard.  5. Encourage research into and development of alternative methods of domestic water heating in order to reduce reliance on electricity supplied through the national grid.  ELECTRICITY.  Despite an active conservation policy the need for an increased supply of energy must be met. National recognises that the supply of electricity must be planned and provided to meet the needs of a growing population and for industrial expansion.  This will be done.  (i) By requiring the New Zealand Electricity Department to provide sufficient time within the overall planning of new generating stations so as to allow for public debate of proposals without delaying their commissioning date.  (ii) By regular review of bulk and retail tariffs which will be adjusted to ensure that the New Zealand Electricity Department is able to make some contribution to the capital cost of electric power production. A more flexible tariff will be considered to discourage the wasteful use of electricity and as a means of reducing any hardship that may result.  (iii) By encouraging local or regional development of small hydro schemes to supplement the supply from the national grid.  Thermal Power.  Because our major hydro resources are now almost fully developed future generations will have to place greater reliance on thermal methods.  A National Government will require the Minister of Energy Resources to conduct a full enquiry into the resources available, the size of individual stations and the economy of use of the various fuels. Individual proposals will continue to be subject to Environmental Impact Reports and Audits before sites are decided and construction commenced.  Nuclear Power.  The discovery of large quantities of natural gas, proper utilisation of our coal reserves, and generally improved technology have enabled New Zealand to delay the introduction of nuclear power generating plants. While a good deal of work on such matters as safety factors, waste disposal, and environmental impact remains to be done, we will ensure that New Zealand scientists and power planning authorities are kept as well informed as possible on these topics and with regard to developments overseas. The National Party will not introduce nuclear power generation into New Zealand until a public enquiry into all aspects of this source of energy has taken place and until it is convinced that the technological aspects have been satisfactorily resolved.  GEOTHERMAL POWER.  A National Government will expand development and investigation of our geothermal resources for electricity generation and for direct use by industry.  OTHER POWER SOURCES.  Financial assistance will be offered by a National Government for studies into the development of other sources of energy such as solar or wind power.  NATURAL GAS.  The discovery and development of large reserves of natural gas combined with recent events in the oil producing countries of the Middle East make it imperative that we utilise this energy resource efficiently.  l. A National Government will undertake a thorough re-examination of the use of natural gas both as a premium fuel and generating fuel.  2. Further expansion of the natural gas distribution system will be carried out to provide a larger market for the efficient use of this valuable energy resource.  3. A National Government will examine the feasibility of introducing a gas conversion subsidy to encourage domestic and industrial consumption of natural gas.  4. Recognising the benefits associated with the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) a National Government will give increased emphasis to the production and supply of this form of energy for domestic and industrial use to places where direct line supply of natural gas is impractical or uneconomic.  MANUFACTURED GAS.  A National Government will continue to support and finance the manufactured gas industry until a decision can be made regarding alternative gas supplies. Financial assistance will be given to those undertakings where changes in production methods and fuels are necessary.  SPOKESMAN. L.C. Schultz.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  MINING POLICY.  PHILOSOPHY.  The National Party recognises the growing importance of the industries relating to coal, minerals and petroleum in diversifying our economy. A National Government will take steps to encourage these industries so that they can develop soundly in the future.  The policy of the National Party is based on the following principles.  1. The use of our resources for the maximum benefit of New Zealand.  2. Participation by Government, private enterprise and the public generally is to be encouraged.  3. Desirability of carefully regulated overseas participation in the mining industry.  4. Mining industries are entitled to know where they stand. For this reason long-term and stable policies are required.  5. A proper balance between the development of our mineral resources and the need to protect the environment.  MINERAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD.  In order to co-ordinate exploration, production and marketing as well as technical and geophysical resources within the mining industry a National Government will establish a Mineral Resources Advisory Board. This Board will consist of representatives from private industry and Government departments and will be directly responsible to the Minister of Mines.  COAL.  The National Party recognises that New Zealand faces a difficult energy situation with increasing dependence on coal. A National Government will accordingly re-assess the new requirements for coal and determine the availability of resources to meet this new demand.  PETROLEUM EXPLORATION.  In view of the vast importance of petroleum in the modern New Zealand economy, a National Government will ask the Mineral Resources Board to co-operate with the Energy Resources Commission in planning so as to ensure maximum benefit from New Zealand's energy resources without unnecessary over-lapping or over production likely to affect the viability of any one industry.  FERTILISER MINERALS.  Because of the importance to our primary industry of fertilisers and ever increasing costs of imported phosphate, sulphur and other elements, a National Government will encourage exploration and development for fertiliser minerals.  OFF SHORE MINERALS.  World attention is now being given to these areas including minerals from the sea. We will make sure that New Zealand's interests are protected and used to the best advantage.  OTHER MINERALS.  The National Party, which established the iron and steel industry, believes there are further opportunities for the development of New Zealand iron and other minerals and will, therefore, encourage the research and development of processing of these resources for the nation.  TECHNICAL ADVICE.  In view of the importance of science and technology in the mineral industry a National Government will assist the development of technical and advisory services for existing and new industries.  FINANCE.  Because of the high cost of mineral exploration and development, a National Government will.  1. Review and improve conditions favourable to the expenditure of risk money and the utilisation of highly skilled personnel and equipment.  2. Provide incentives to facilitate financial and technical investment where development is of national significance.  3. Provide incentives to facilitate increased levels of New Zealand equity and manufacture.  PRESERVATION OF NEW ZEALAND'S INTERESTS.  While recognising that overseas technology, capital and skills are essential in many fields of development, a National Government will at all times base its mineral and mining polices on New Zealand's needs with opportunity for participation by New Zealanders.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.  In view of the impact of mining on the environment, a National Government will ensure environmental protection and the development of a soundly based system of environmental impact reports.  SPOKESMAN. Rt. Hon. Sir J.R. Marshall.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  OVERSEAS TRADE POLICY 1975.  The National Party 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 continuing prosperity.  A new National Government will once again set about the task of reviving and revitalising New Zealand's overseas trade.  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.  MARKETS.  1. The National Party as the Government will give special and continuous attention to preserving our access to the British market and to the E.E.C. and will set up the diplomatic and trading efforts to extend the existing agreements to secure long-term entry for dairy produce and meat at reasonable and remunerative prices.  2. A National Government will take hold of the NAFTA Agreement and make it work as it did under the previous National administration for the mutual benefit of both New Zealand and Australia and for the expansion of trade both ways across the Tasman.  3. A National Government will pay special attention.  (a) to improving access for our exports to the United States and Japan, the markets which in the past have been able to pay the best prices.  (b) to opening up new markets in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.  (c) to expanding the markets in South and Central America and the Caribbean which were opened up by the last National Government.  (d) to fostering the trade of the Pacific Basin and supporting the efforts of private enterprise through the Pacific Basic Economic Council.  INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICY.  l. National 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 without discrimination provided that in appropriate cases special preferences may be given to assist the trade of developing countries.  2. A National Government will co-operate with other countries in international forums - The G.A.T.T., O.E.C.D., U.N.C.T.A.D., I.M.F., and World Bank - in seeking to expand trading opportunities in an orderly way and in promoting a revival of world trade in the next three years by.  (a) liberalising international trade.  (b) supporting the objectives of multi-national trade.  (c) taking and supporting initiatives designed to lower trade harriers which inhibit our trade, particularly in agricultural products.  (d) promoting international commodity agreements for temperate zone and other agricultural products.  INCENTIVES.  1. The last National Government initiated the export tax incentive schemes. National will ensure that taxation incentives for exporters will be updated and where necessary improved, to give added impetus to the export drive and an adequate reward for those who succeed in increasing exports.  2. To the extent that policies for the control or management of importing may be in operation a National Government will facilitate the importing of raw materials, plant, machinery and equipment for industries which are active in exporting.  TRADE SERVICES AND PROMOTION.  A National Government will take every opportunity to advance New Zealand's trading prospects abroad and in particular will.  (a) Ensure that the services available to exporters through the Department of Trade and Industry are as efficient and helpful as possible.  (b) Revitalise the Trade Promotion Council to provide the 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.  (c) Build up the Trade Commissioner service with well trained and commercially oriented staff, and open up new trade posts in countries where worthwhile export opportunities can be developed.  (d) Participate in trade fairs and inter-national exhibitions where New Zealand's trade can be effectively promoted.  (e) Promote and support overseas trade missions in consultation with the Trade Promotion Council, the Producer Boards and the Manufacturers' Federation.  (f) Undertake trade surveys of potential new markets using where appropriate a team composed of both Trade Commissioners and specially qualified persons from private enterprise.  (g) 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.  (h) 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 SERVICES.  A National Government will undertake a major examination of the requirements of New Zealand manufacturers and traders to establish institutional requirements in the field of export assistance.  This review will include an examination of the ways in which the export services functions of the Export/ Import Corporation can be provided by the Department of Trade and Industry and the ways in which the trading functions of the Corporation can be provided by private enterprise.  Following this review, in consultation with interested parties, a National Government will establish export institutions to increase the effectiveness of the Department of Trade and Industry and will actively promote the export trade through private enterprise.  SPOKESMAN. V.S. Young, M.P.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R. D. Muldoon.  ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.  PHILOSOPHY.  In a world of diminishing resources and increasing populations, New Zealand's future will depend more and more on a proper concern for our natural environment. The maintenance and improvement of New Zealand's life style depends on the wise use of soil, water and air. It also depends on the preservation of the quality of each of these prime elements of life. Waste must be avoided and resources conserved. The future must be protected for it is not ours to give away. National's policies provide for plans of action that protect today's environment and also provide for future generations.  LAND.  Land must be used with proper planning and with care and foresight. Under National, development projects will be subject to plans which will ensure the most effective use of New Zealand's land as a regional resource.  Regional planning authorities will be advised by land use advisory committees on which competing land use interests (e.g. farming, forestry, industry, housing) will be represented.  National will work with local authorities to prevent valuable coastal and agricultural land being lost to undue urban sprawl.  The policy of setting aside a special fund for the purchase of coastal land for reserve will be continued.  Parks.  National will preserve and extend National Parks. The emphasis will be on park development for the enjoyment of New Zealanders.  The concept of Forest, Maritime, Marine and Special Recreational Parks will be expanded. The New Zealand walkway will be extended and a Coastal Walkway commenced.  Trees.  Land owners will be encouraged to establish and retain small areas of native bush, wood lots and individual trees of special significance by offering rate and duty concessions.  Any utilisation of the South Island Beech Forests will be based on the principle of the perpetuation of Beech both as natural forest and stands managed for production. In addition to the regeneration of Beech, further exotic forests will be planted.  Incentives will be provided for local authorities to increase tree planting, especially in new urban areas.  The importance of Arbor Day will be emphasised.  NATIONAL TRUST.  A National Trust will be established by statute. Membership of the Trust will be sought from individuals and bodies corporate. It will be the Trust's responsibility to ensure that sufficient open space for the needs of New Zealanders is provided.  Special Duties.  The National Trust will co-ordinate the separate land protection and recreational responsibilities of the National Parks Authority, the Lands and Survey Department, the Forest Service, the Historic Places Trust and local and regional authorities.  The Trust will also define those special reserves or recreation areas that are of regional or national importance. Contributions by Government to these reserves will vary according to the recommendation of the Trust.  Covenants.  The National Trust will be empowered to negotiate covenants with willing land owners in order to protect private land from the pressures of urban or coastal development. The covenants will create farming or conservation Preserves. This will ensure that the character of the New Zealand countryside and coastline is maintained, while at the same time avoiding acquisition of all such land by the Government.  Finance.  Contributions from Government will augment members' funds to allow the National Trust to purchase land for reserves. The Trust may also negotiate the lease or loan of land for the extension of parks, reserves and walkways to ensure that New Zealanders have the maximum opportunity for access to areas for recreation, sport and leisure.  WATER.  Highest practical standards of water quality will be insisted upon. National will emphasise the multiple use of water for community needs, for protection and for recreation.  To assist in the management and improvement of New Zealand's waterways the Water Resources Council will be required to classify all New Zealand waters and also seek improvement of waterways of national importance.  The functions of the Council will be enlarged to have it advise regional and local government in matters related to methods for overcoming pollution in rivers, lakes and estuaries where sewage discharge is causing environmental damage.  To facilitate this new responsibility of the Water Resources Council a special fund will be established. This fund will be administered by the Minister of Works through the Water Resources Council, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment.  The fund will be available for deferring initial loan charges for a period of up to five years for those regional or local authorities who are required to meet special costs to provide sewage treatment facilities for the protection of waters of national importance against environmental damage.  Water Eutrophication and Marine Spillage.  Positive and co-ordinated programmes for the preservation of rivers and lakes under threat of eutrophication will be undertaken.  The Marine Pollution Act will be rigidly enforced and a well equipped mobile team of emergency operators to deal with oil spillages established. Marine life around New Zealand's shores will be protected and conserved with the principle of multiple water use extended to the sea.  AIR.  The Clean Air Act provides the necessary basis for the control of air pollution in New Zealand.  National will ensure the 'best practicable means' approach outlined in the Act is enforced. There will be continuing research, particularly on the effect of air pollution from motor vehicles and the appropriate controls introduced where necessary.  CROWN.  All environmental legislation will bind the Crown.  URBAN DEVELOPMENT.  80% of New Zealanders now live and work in our towns and cities.  National believes that all people are entitled to spend their lives in an environment conducive to 'healthy human development. Consequently, the urban , work, and social environments are of utmost importance.  Urban Renewal.  National will assist local authorities with their urban renewal programmes. These programmes will 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 recognises the need in both small and large towns for improved commercial centres that are free from the noise and danger of passing motor vehicles. National will assist territorial local authorities with qualified planning advice to achieve this objective.  Urban Size.  In order to prevent urban sprawl and the death of inner cities, research will be undertaken to establish the maximum desirable size for cities and, where necessary, green belts will be encouraged.  Urban Open Spaces.  In new urban areas reserve contributions from subdivisions will be directed towards land purchase for reserves in that area.  Urban Noise.  National will restrict undue and offensive noise in urban residential areas and, if necessary, further legislation to control this form of pollution will be introduced.  POLLUTION.  National will discourage all types of pollution of the environment and will ensure that action is taken by either local or Central Government when offences are committed.  Recycling.  Industry will be encouraged and assisted with research to develop the recycling of waste materials or where there is no practical further use, their disposal in non-polluting ways.  Incentives will be offered industries that acquire recycled waste material for manufacture into useful raw materials or saleable products.  Levy.  In order to encourage the use of renewable resources and products there will be a levy on those that are difficult to dispose of.  This levy will be channelled to local authorities to provide facilities for modern disposal or recycling methods.  Sewage and Refuse.  Extra assistance will be given to local authorities that introduce modern and efficient ways of dealing with sewage and refuse disposal designed to re-use waste.  Anti Litter.  The anti litter laws will be strengthened and more authority given to litter wardens.  ADMINISTRATION.  Commission for the Environment.  National will provide the facilities for the Commission for the Environment to carry out a greater educational role in order to inform the public of current environmental issues and to publicise the work of the Commission.  Environmental Impact Reports.  Environmental Impact report procedures will be simplified without diminishing the rights of public objection.  RESOURCES.  National will seek the most efficient use of resources, particularly those of energy.  A special section for advising on resource conservation will be established in the Commission for the Environment.  POPULATION.  As the resources of our country are limited a National Government will initiate studies on the effects of a growing population on resources available and recommend desirable growth patterns for various regions.  NUCLEAR TESTING.  National will campaign against all nuclear testing and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.  SPOKESMAN. Hon. D.A. Highet.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  ARTS POLICY.  1. A MINISTER FOR THE ARTS.  The National Party will encourage the increasing growth and spread of the arts and cultural activities through all sections of the community. To take account of the widespread interest of individuals, industrial and commercial institutions, professional organisations, amateur societies, orchestras, regional and Government activities, as well as the increasing work of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, a National Government will create a portfolio for the arts. The Minister for the Arts will have the support of a bureau for the arts in an appropriate Government department to advise, assist and co-ordinate the arts.  2. INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING.  A National Government will seek to enhance the image of New Zealand overseas by including art in trade and tourist promotions, also to promote international understanding through the arts, and cultural exchange particularly in the Pacific Basin.  3. CULTURAL IDENTITY.  The National Party seeks to promote the development of New Zealand's cultural identity through active encouragement of New Zealand artists, composers, playwrights and writers etc., and the use of their talents through the medium of television, publishing and performance.  Encouragement will be given by a National Government for the Arts Council to.  * Commission works by artists, writers and musicians.  * Offer subsidies to local authorities which commission works by artists, sculptors, and weavers, for murals, wall hangings, etc., for public buildings and urban landscape.  * Encourage the production of feature films by individual film makers and companies.  * Encourage more New Zealand artistic and cultural content in television programmes.  The grant to the State Library Fund will be increased to assist writers. Consideration will also be given to assisting publishers in certain circumstances.  4. The National Party sees in the arts a means of better understanding of the Maori and Polynesian aspects of our culture and the Government will assist Maori and Polynesian artists, writers, composers and performers with exhibitions, grants, and overseas exhibitions and entertainments.  5. THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II ARTS COUNCIL.  A National Government will increase financial assistance to the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and maintain its independence from Government direction. A review of the constitution of the Council will be made, with special attention to the new Regional Councils, while always maintaining a concern for the arts in smaller communities.  6. RATE REMISSION OR POSTPONEMENT.  National will extend the power of the local authorities to remit or postpone rates on certain types of land so that it will include all land used for cultural purposes where the proceeds collected are not distributed as a profit among individual members of that cultural body.  7. CAPITAL GRANTS.  A National Government will make capital grants on a subsidy basis to art galleries and museums, and for renovations or new buildings for art centres, theatres etc. through the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council.  8. CONSERVATION.  The National Party recognises the pressing needs for the conservation of New Zealand's cultural heritage, and as the Government, will.  * Increase grants to the Historic Places Trust.  * Make subsidies available for the conservation of important material, artefacts, paintings etc. in public collections, historical societies, regional museums and art galleries.  *Promote training facilities for conservation work.  * Protect Maori artefacts and archaeological sites.  * Encourage local conservation projects which will include libraries, museums collections of photography and other articles of historic interest.  9. SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY.  A National Government will give support and attention to the needs of smaller communities for professional assistance and increased practical artistic activity. We will stimulate increased use of facilities and resources (e.g. school buildings) already existing in the community.  10. OVERSEAS RECOGNITION.  A National Government will assist New Zealand artists whose work is of the highest standard, towards recognition beyond our shores through exhibitions, concerts, publications, performance and travel awards.  11. The National Party recognises that the arts are an important part of our tourist industry.  A National Government will encourage a higher standard of New Zealand souvenirs available in this country. The Industrial Design Council and the New Zealand Institute of Maori Arts will be invited to assist, and an annual award will be considered for artistic merit in this field.  12. ART AND EDUCATION.  A National Government will encourage closer liaison between the Education Department and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, especially with regard to study and travel grants to teachers and specialists in the field of art, drama, music and dance in Training Colleges, Technical Institutes and Universities, and also in the wider use of school premises and facilities for out-of-school activities.  13. Encouragement will be given for higher standards of art criticism, and a National Government will seek to increase coverage of the arts by the news media, through awards to journalists or papers. (These will be made for specific projects such as overseas study, training or awards for excellence to individual journalists and newspapers promoting the arts in their area.)  14. ARTS FELLOWSHIP.  An arts fellowship will be established which will be the highest honour to a person for life-long contribution to any field of artistic or cultural activity. This honour, to be titled "Fellow of New Zealand Arts" will be made on the recommendation of the Arts Council.  15. NATURAL MATERIALS.  Encouragement will be given for increased use of natural materials (wool, flax, etc.) through assistance to sculptors, weavers, New Zealand Wool Board promotions, tapestries and wall hangings etc., particularly for overseas display and use in New Zealand diplomatic posts.  16. A NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.  A National Government will move towards the establishment of a National School of the Performing Arts, and will give encouragement to the Queen Elizabeth II Drama School and the Queen Elizabeth II Ballet School. A New Zealand Conservatorium of Music will be given consideration within the National School.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  INTERNAL AFFAIRS.  Civil Defence.  A National Government will.  Maintain the existing system of civil defence.  Give local authorities every encouragement and assistance to provide up to date equipment.  Encourage community participation in all aspects of civil defence.  Provide for study and discussion on civil defence in the school curriculum with the co-operation of the Education Department, particularly in first aid and light rescue training.  Continue to subsidise local authorities.  Review the criteria governing subsidies in the more important areas.  Continue to encourage co-operation between civil defence and other national services with particular reference to the formation of co-ordinating committees to deal with limited emergencies not qualifying as a state of civil emergency.  Films.  Immediately a National Government takes office it will review and revise the Cinematograph Act, ensuring that.  The licensing of exhibitors and distributors is maintained.  Encouragement is given to New Zealand film producers.  Representative views of the community are heard on the matters of censorship.  Special conditions are applied to film society and film festival exhibitions.  Consideration will be given to the licensing of 'drive in' theatres after all interested parties have been consulted.  Gaming and Lotteries.  National will review and revise the Gaming Act, to ensure that it is suitable for present requirements.  Racing.  On becoming Government National will refund to the Racing and Trotting Clubs a percentage of totalisator tax.  National will ask the New Zealand Racing Authority.  To review the number of midweek racing days to provide greater opportunities for clubs, owners, trainers, jockeys and drivers.  To review the situation regarding the race courses to be used.  Youth.  National will promote more research into the needs and demands of youth. As resources are available it will encourage more active and meaningful participation of adolescents in society by assisting wider local authority involvement, and assisting voluntary youth organisations to arrange leisure time activities and to foster leadership training.  As a Government, it will make every effort to involve youths who have finished their education in community ventures.  Wildlife.  Recognising that some species of animals and plants are now becoming scarce a National Government will continue to give support to acclimatisation societies and other organisations in the preservation of woodlands and wild life refuges to protect these species from becoming extinct.  New Zealand Day.  Because of the historical significance of the meaning of Waitangi, New Zealand Day will revert to its original name, Waitangi Day.  SPOKESMAN. W.L. Young, MP.  Announced by the Leader of the National Party, Hon. R.D. Muldoon.  WOMEN'S POLICY.  INTRODUCTION.  The National Party believes all women must have the opportunity to participate on the basis of full equality in the social, cultural, economic and political spheres of New Zealand society.  To achieve this end National will seek to change social attitudes and through legislation work to achieve equality of opportunity.  HUMAN RIGHTS.  Discrimination against women cakes two forms, legal and social. A National Government will.  * Introduce legislation to remove existing legal discrimination relating to women, and to prohibit discrimination against any person by reason of sex.  * Establish a Human Rights Commission which will effectively ensure that equal rights legislation is enforced and that women have an effective and inexpensive means of redress on cases of discrimination. The Commission will be set up as a permanent body, will investigate cases of discrimination presented to it, and recommend civil action to the Attorney-General.  * Work towards implementation of the principles contained in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Give full consideration to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Womens Rights, and set priorities for implementation, in consultation with women's organisations.  * Undertake to study ways in which sex stereotyping in advertising, especially the use of women as sex objects, may be eliminated.  WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT.  A National Government will legislate to ensure that all areas of discrimination in employment are removed and that merit is the sole criterion in respect of job applications, selection and promotion.  To encourage women who wish to enter, return to or to remain in employment, National will encourage employers to establish flexible working patterns, such as glide time, part-time, job sharing, and multi-shift work, to maximise work force potential and to minimise the difficulties of the women who for various reasons undertake the dual role of worker and mother.  National will give special attention to the problems associated with re-entry to the work force and in particular will ensure that greater job retraining opportunities are available.  Advertisements which unnecessarily specify that only one sex will be considered for a job shall be prohibited.  In cases where women wish to remain in the work force while having a family, maternity leave without pay will be available for a period of up to 12 weeks without loss of job security, promotion or superannuation rights, excepting where an employer can establish that this will cause undue disruption to his business enterprise.  Voluntary Unionism.  Women in industry will have the same right as men to vote as to whether their industry should have compulsory or voluntary union status.  WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.  A National Government will give emphasis to the appointment of women to boards, commissions and tribunals and will give consideration to the appointment of women as industrial mediators.  * National supports increased participation of women in the judicial system and recognises no sex barriers in the exercise of any judicial office.  * A National Government will review the procedure for making judicial appointments to ensure that suitably qualified women are given the same consideration as men.  * The appointment of more women as Justices of the Peace will be encouraged and the differentiation between the public rights and responsibilities of women and men with respect to jury service will be removed.  WOMEN AND EDUCATION.  * National will provide support and administrative backing to ensure early childhood education is generally available where feasible as an integral part of the education system. Priority will be given to such areas as new housing suburbs and regenerated inner-city areas.  * Financial assistance will be provided through approved voluntary agencies to establish centres for those children who need day care but whose parents cannot afford to pay the full cost.  * National will ensure that a balanced and comprehensive vocational guidance programme exists in all secondary schools and throughout the community, with equal emphasis on broader career opportunities for girls and boys.  * National will promote and encourage job training and retraining, "second chance" education and all the opportunities available in the policy of life-long education.  * National will give female teachers the same basis for transfer expenses as male teachers.  WOMEN AND HOUSING.  * Under National the Housing Corporation will not differentiate between men and women borrowers on grounds of sex.  * Among National's new mortgage policies will be a flexible principal repayment plan to meet those cases where the wife works then leaves the work force to raise a family and then returns to work.  * National's new mortgage guarantee scheme will be of considerable assistance in making solo mothers and single women eligible for certain types of mortgage finance.  * For special categories of housing needs such as solo parents, National will introduce a pilot scheme to test the feasibility of housing co-operatives as an alternative to State housing, thus enabling several solo parents to share a house for their mutual assistance.  * National will extend the Joint Family Homes legislation to make it possible to settle farm homes as  Joint Family Homes.  WOMEN, THE HOME AND FAMILY.  Family Law.  * National recognises the need for major reforms in this area of the law which as it currently stands, can lead to bitterness, suffering, injustice to both sexes, and exploitation of one spouse by another.  * Protection of the institution of marriage and the family unit will govern any approach to family law reform by a National Government. National believes that, as far as possible, the law relating to the family should be brought together under the one Act.  * National will legislate for the granting of divorce where the Court is satisfied, after a two year compulsory waiting period, that the marriage has irreconcilably broken down. The legislation will require consultation and a genuine attempt at reconciliation, but will not require proof of fault.  * National believes that the law must treat marriage as a partnership of equals with reciprocal obligations, and will legislate to provide for a rebuttable presumption that, when a marriage is legally terminated, matrimonial property acquired during the marriage is to be shared equally between the spouses. The courts will be permitted to override this presumption where considered necessary in the interests of fairness and equity.  * National also recognises the need for major changes in the law relating to maintenance and custody, and will call for a comprehensive study of these areas.  * All the recommendations affecting family law matters in the Report of the Select Committee on Womens' Rights will be given close study, and appropriate legislative changes will be made where considered necessary.  * Consideration will be given to setting up a special family law court to deal with all legal matters affecting the family.  Mother at Home Allowance.  * Bearing in mind the increasing division between the one and two income family, a National Government will consider the position of the wife who is not in paid employment and will endeavour to relieve economic stresses in such families whether through tax relief or special allowances.  * National will examine with care the recommendations of the inter-departmental committee set up to investigate a Mother at Home Allowance as soon as this committee reports its findings.  Paternity Leave.  * Recognising the need to emphasise the partnership role of marriage, a National Government will hold early discussions with employers on the practicability of providing, where necessary, unpaid paternity leave to enable the father at the time of the birth of the second and subsequent children to care for his wife and children during her time of confinement.  Family Planning.  * To improve the family life of the people of New Zealand, assistance will be offered to New Zealand Family Planning Associations, religious, and voluntary organisations to maintain staff, and establish family planning clinics.  * Aids to Family Planning, where necessary, on social or medical grounds, will be provided free on a doctor's prescription.  Social Welfare – Superannuation.  National's superannuation policy gives benefits as of right equally to women as well as to men from the age of 60 regardless of the time spent in the paid work force. This policy recognises the contribution made by women who spend years at home caring for their families and ensures that they are not discriminated against. We will not perpetuate the one income, two income family problem into retirement.  Special Aids.  A National Government will extend Social Security benefits to all those who in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner require surgical prostheses, including breast prostheses initially, following mastectomy operations.  RURAL WOMEN.  * A National Government will remove the restriction placed on rural women so that women who assist in a farm enterprise by book-keeping and other secretarial duties may be paid and the payment made tax deductible. At present payment is allowable only for outside work which is unfair and discriminates against rural women. Urban women are permitted to assist in family businesses and receive payment.  * In view of the deficiencies within the Report of the Select Committee on Women's Rights concerning the role of rural women, National will actively support, by way of a grant, the current survey on rural women being undertaken by the Women's Division of Federated Farmers in association with the University of Canterbury Sociology Department.  CONTINUING COMMITMENT.  In co-operation with the Commission for the Future, a research team will examine the changing role of women and its implications for New Zealand's future.