New Zealand national party. 1966 GENERAL ELECTION POLICY.  1966 general election manifesto (1st November 1966). This booklet contains all the planks of policy announced by the Leader of the Party, Rt. Hon. Keith Holyoake, C.H., M.P., at Christchurch on Monday 31st October 1966, The planks were available for publication in morning newspapers on 1st November. The planks have been stencilled in five colours in a repeating series for ease of reference. Loose-leaf sets issued to candidates and newspaper editors have included after each plank, a page on white paper giving the main points from that plank together with references to policy given effect during the past six years. These pages are not part of the formal manifesto and are omitted from the bound copies for general distribution,  R.F. Wilson General Director.  A. Party objects. New Zealand National Party (copy of Party Rules 2 - 12).  2. To unite all men and women of good will who are unswervingly loyal to Her Majesty the Queen, who realise the immense political, financial, commercial and cultural advantages which accrue to New Zealand from close association with the other nations of the British Commonwealth, and who desire to promote the political and economic unity of the Commonwealth; in particular to encourage wherever possible, for our mutual interest and safety, close contacts with Australia and other portions of our Commonwealth.  3. To promote and maintain within New Zealand a system of democratic Government based on the fundamental British principles of freedom, tolerance and justice.  4. To maintain an efficient system of national defence.  5. To formulate and carry out policies designed to benefit the community as a whole, irrespective of sectional interests, to foster the growth of goodwill between all sections of the community and particularly to bring about co-operation between country and city interests, and. between employers and employees.  6. To encourage the growth of private enterprise and healthy competition.  7. To encourage the development of individual effort and initiative and to take such steps as will grant the greatest possible measure of personal freedom.  8. To arouse and maintain interest in political matters, to advocate the policy of the Party, and to oppose subversive and other doctrines which are contrary to the principles and policy of the Party.  9. Tu pursue a policy of progressive social and humanitarian legislation.  10. To encourage and assist the candidature for Parliament of able, honourable and loyal supporters of the Party.  11. To carry out educational and organising work in furtherance of the foregoing aims and objects.  12. To keep in touch with and as may be deemed practicable, to co-operate with other organisations which have similar aims.  B. AIMS AND PRINCIPLES. Since it was founded over 30 years ago, the National Party has been the main bulwark in New Zealand against State Socialism and Communism. Throughout its existence the Party has affirmed that human progress and happiness, spiritual, moral and economic, can best be attained when the individual has the greatest freedom to exercise initiative, self-reliance and enterprise. The Party is thus opposed to unnecessary restrictions on individual freedom and strongly opposes the State dictatorship of Socialist Government. The National Party has common bonds with all who cherish personal freedom; with all who believe that New Zealanders are individualists who can develop a vigorous nation if given encouragement and opportunity. The Party has always striven for the people as a whole and not for sectional interests. It seeks to create a nation in which business is founded on private ownership and management with reasonable competition and fair rewards; in which equality of opportunity is universal; in which there is justice for all and special privilege for none. It holds that a property-owning democracy is the best basis for the modern welfare society. Above all, the Party’s supporters are unswervingly loyal to Queen and country and strive for a united and strong British Commonwealth. They wholeheartedly support the United Nations and believe in maintaining adequate and efficient defence forces to help defend, if need be, the way of life we cherish. The Party’s basis outlook is essentially humanitarian. Its terms of office from 1949 to 1957 and from 1960, have been marked by progressive legislation, buoyant economic conditions, good opportunities for the younger generation, full employment for all and security with generous care for the infirm and aged and others in need. The policy of the Party for the future, as outlined in this manifesto, ensures that the next term of the National Government will again be one of efficient and progressive Government for the benefit of all New Zealanders.  C. National believes (Based on a pamphlet issued by the Party).  NATIONAL BELIEVES that New Zealand under a National Government has a bright, expansive future.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that, given continuing experienced, far-seeing leadership, New Zealand will attain higher levels of efficient production on farms and in factories and achieve new records in export earnings.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that its imaginative and venturesome industrial and trading policies at home and abroad will continue to support a rising standard of living.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that only by maximum expansion and diversification of farming and manufacturing production can we increase export surpluses and provide the new job opportunities for our rapidly increasing numbers of young people.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that the function of taxation is to pay for the necessary works and services of the State, and rejects the Labour-Socialist belief that the State knows best how to spend the people's money.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that only a healthy, vigorous economy, led by a businesslike, non-Socialist Government, can generate the extra income above development and maintenance needs required to carry the cost of our social services and keep them abreast of increasing demand.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that taxes should not exceed the point where they discourage effort in individuals, industry, farming and enter-prise, and that incentives should, in appropriate circumstances, be kept to the forefront in taxing policies.  NATIONAL BELIEVES that the prospects of national development in the last third of the 20th Century present a great and invigorating challenge to New Zealand; that, with the New Zealander’s considerable initiative properly channelled, we can maintain a high rate of growth and development.  D. NATIONAL LABOUR. SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AND LABOUR PARTIES (From a Pamphlet issued by the National Party).  NATIONAL .  National encourages personal initiative and increased production by lower tax rates, and gains a greater volume of revenue from the increased national income.  National believes that the community makes the greatest progress when unhindered by all sorts of interference from the state.  National believes that society, through the State, must provide a minimum income floor below which no man can fall.  NATIONAL believes that the community does best when all sections are working harmoniously together, and that employee and employer are partners in production.  NATIONAL believes in the competitive free enterprise system, and points to its record down the centuries as the source of much of man's progress.  NATIONAL believes there should be more business in government and less government in business.  National believes that competitive enterprise produces the best and services at the keenest prices and in greatest variety.  National’s philosophy encourages the desire to venture and progress.  NATIONAL believes that no pressure group, however powerful or however essential, should be allowed to defy the law under any circumstances.  NATIONAL believes that in maintaining the Welfare State heed must also be taken of the welfare of the State in the economic and social senses.  Labour.  Labour discourages individual initiative by heavy taxes, and is more concerned with "redistributing" the national income than increasing it.  Labour’s Socialist philosophy is to restrict and control, and it believes that the Government has superior wisdom in all matters.  Labour, as part of the Socialist doctrine, believes there should also be a ceiling above which no man can rise, hence its strangulation of enterprise by taxes which deny industry funds for expansion.  Labour fosters and encourages sectional or class antipathy by regarding the relations of employees and employers as a struggle between "workers" and "capitalists.  Labour believes in an ever-increasing measure of Socialism.  Labour believes that there should be more and more Government in business.  Labour's belief that competition must be restricted breeds monopolies and the need for price control.  Labour's applied Socialism breeds dependence on others, encourage uniformity, discounts brilliance and leads to mediocrity. Labour vacillates and through lack of firmness in the administration of industrial laws, encourages and prolongs disputes and stoppages.  Labour is inclined to put political expediency first, as for example in its campaign promises in 1957.  1. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. BASIC POLICY:  1. The national government is creating the conditions in which the nation may plan its development in anticipation of a population of 5 million by the year 2000. Both the economic demands of this population aid its productive potential will transform present concepts of economic and social conditions. The national government is therefore setting a pattern for development to match the new horizons of opportunity New Zealand will offer to all sections of the community.  2. The fundamental outlook of the national government favours as much individual initiative and private enterprise as possible and aims to preserve the greatest measure of freedom in all aspects of economic and personal affairs. The national government will create the basis for a new era of national development on which New Zealanders will be able to build effectively and efficiently in all spheres of endeavour.  Details:  3. In the economic sphere, for the more mature type of economy we have been developing in New Zealand during the last five years, we envisage a more sophisticated financial system, able to provide economical use of available resources for the various avenues of investment.  4. Economic forecasting can be expected to play a bigger part in future development plans. The National Government envisages that the kind of production-target fixing which arose from the Agricultural Development Conference will grow into more refined techniques. Some forms of indicative planning will emerge to assist farmers and businessman in assessing long-term prospects for development.  5. Lone-range increased farm production targets are closely linked with the need to extend and diversify New Zealand's exports. The National Government will continue to provide financial incentives to farmers and others associated with production for export and to give assistance to research organisations associated with improving production methods. Imaginative and vigorous overseas trade promotion methods will be undertaken in all likely markets for New Zealand products.  6. Industrially, the projected moves towards large basic metal industries will probably transform the whole heavy and light engineering industries. The National Government will do everything possible to encourage the development of the iron and steel mills, the aluminium smelter and similar projects based on indigenous resources, including further expansion of forest products industries, the fisheries industry and the industries processing food products.  7. Generation of electricity in sufficient quantity will be vital to major development. The National Government has planned the completion of foreseeable hydroelectric schemes by the late 19704 and will make early decisions on the later power needs of New Zealand in the light of progress in nuclear power generation.  8. Efficiency in transport and communications will be a prime need of the new age and both the isolation of New Zealand externally and the difficult terrain within the country will require increasing attention to the provision of up-to-date transport vehicles and facilities, including methods of loading and unloading. We will ensure an adequate allocation of resources to the expansion of transport in all forms, including jet main-trunk air services.  9. In education, the National Government will continue to ensure that sufficient resources are diverted to education buildings and equipment, and that employment conditions in education are sufficiently attractive. me must maintain a rate of expansion in facilities for learning commensurate with the population growth and the rapidly changing technological needs which can be expected in the last third of this century.  10. The arts will be actively encouraged by the National Government because of the contribution of cultural pursuits to the well being of the country and its development in the broader sense. We think that as the nation grows, it will wish to match material and social achievement with progress in the arts, and a policy of suitable grants to appropriate organisations and tax incentives to individuals willing to support the various arts will be continued.  11. Tourists from overseas can be a big source of overseas income and can enliven the local scene and every effort will be made to capitalise on the growing awareness of these facts. Now that New Zealand has airports to accommodate the jet airliners of the main Pacific routes, the National Government will take new steps to promote tourist travel to New Zealand, particularly from countries bordering the Pacific  12. A more vigorous role for New Zealand in international affairs, more especially in the South East Asian and South Pacific regions, is inevitable. The National Government has demonstrated its preparedness for these bigger responsibilities by extending diplomatic representation and by fully discharging New Zealand's Treaty obligations.  2. Taxation and Finance. BASIC POLICY:  1. Excessive rates of taxation ire a discouragement to progress and development, and national governments have given incentives to individuals and companies by progressively reducing rates of taxation. National government have reduced rates of taxation in 13 of their 14 years in office. It will be the continuing taxation policy of the national government to reduce rates of taxation which affect incentives to greater effort and economic progress.  2. The National government asserts that justice and an equitable distribution of the taxation burden should be constant objectives in taxation policy. An expert committee has been appointed to inquire into all aspects of the present taxation system and its effects on the economy and the National government will be guided by the committee's recommendations in instituting reforms to the system.  3. Considerable progress has been made with simplification of tax procedures and forms. Further progress in this direction will arise from the continuing review of tax administration which is national government established policy.  4. the national government has introduced and will continue to promote better business methods in government and will keep a firm check on overall government expenditure. The National government appointed a public expenditure committee, representative of both parliamentary parties, to examine the estimates of expense presented to the house, the public accounts and the accounts of such corporations and other organisations as ire in receipt of money appropriated by parliament. It is required to report on any economies that may be affected. The committee has travelled extensively during parliamentary recesses and reported to parliament annually with a number of designed to save expenditure.  5. The National government believes in incentives for small savings to provide adequate finance for capital formation. To this end, we established the national savings committee, granted nation-wide coverage of trustee savings banks, and legislated to provide for trading banks. It will be the continuing policy of the national government to encourage small savings to assist in financing the country’s national development.  6. The National government will continue its policy of making maximum use of New Zealander’s savings and supplementing these with overseas borrowing, in order to meet the capital needs of our rapidly developing economy. The productive and export potential of New Zealand farms and industries justifies the confidence of the government that the greater production resulting from the increased capital resources will enable the country to meet the loan repayments and interest charges. The National government will continue to use overseas loans in payment for part of the imported content of the raw materials for developmental projects.  7. In the private sector, The National government welcomes overseas loan and equity capital equity for the development of industry, wherever possible in conjunction with New Zealand shareholding.  8. basic objectives of the National government’s taxation policy are:  (a) to give incentives for New Zealanders to work more and more.  (b) to encourage young people to acquire higher skills and assume greater responsibilities.  (c) to provide incentives for increasing exports.  (d) to expand economic production on farms and in factories.  (e) to keep costs of production in check.  (f) to provide more jobs for our rapidly increasing population.  (g) to hold the cost of living as stable as possible and  (h) maximum possible stability in the value of money.  3. Monetary and economic. BASIC POLICY:  1. The national government asserts that the overall management of monetary and economic policy alone sound and progressive lines is one of the most important responsibilities of government.  2. The national government will therefore promote legislation and policies designed to ensure that the creation and issue of money is kept in 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.  3. The national government will ensure that monetary and economic policy is directed towards he maintenance of full and efficient employment of New Zealand’s resources of labour and capital, maximum possible stability of the price level and the promotion of measures and incentive schemes to promote a steady rate of economic growth throughout the economy.  4. The national government believes that greater use and better co-ordination of economic forecasting would aid the balanced development of New Zealand’s economy. To this end, an economic planning unit has been established within government to promote better programming of government expenditure in relation to resources available to the whole economy. The planning unit, in consultation with farming, industrial and commercial interests will also prepare broad summaries of likely trends as a guide to businessmen in planning the operations of their own concerns. In addition, it is proposed to extend progressively to other sectors of the economy, where this should be useful, the process of indicative target setting which was introduced very successfully into the agricultural sector following the agricultural development conference. This type of planning is based on close consultation and co-operation between government and interested parties to ensure that the targets are realistic and mutually consistent. It will be the aim of the national government to provide by its general policies and, where necessary, by special incentives, conditions favourable for the attainment of the objectives of particular sectors.  5. The national government will continue its support for international monetary and economic co-operation, and to that end will continue New Zealand’s participation in the international monetary fund, the World Bank, the Asian development bank and other similar international organisations.  Details:  6. The monetary and Economic Council set up by the National Government will continue as an independent body free to publish its reports and recommendations for the information of the public. It will continue to advise the Government on:  (a) the main economic and financial problems which affects costs and internal price stability.  (b) the provision of finance for expanding primary and manufacturing industries and services and ensuring full employment with high living standards.  (c) steps necessary to ensure that an adequate, but net excessive, supply of money is in circulation and  (d) any reforms in the monetary system it considers desirable from time to time.  7. Decimal coinage will be introduced into New Zealand on 10 July 1967.  4. Education. BASIC POLICY:  1. The national government believes that our young people should be encouraged to realise that no real success comes without study and hard work and that they should equip themselves to render loyal and faithful service to their country and their fellow men. We think that our educational system should be directed to these ends and that young people should have every opportunity to develop their talents to the full.  2. The national government is creating the conditions in which the appeal of the teaching profession continues to attract dedicated and able men and women, and in which the desire to learn and take society to higher levels of attainment is a dominant urge of teachers and students alike.  3. Evidence of the importance the national government attaches to adequate education facilities it all levels is found in the increased expenditure authorised during the past six years when annual net expenditure has increased from £4.3 m to £77.2m, including increased provision for educational buildings in that period from £8.7m. to £14.2m.  Details:  4. The Education Act passed by the National Government in 1964 was the most important education legislation in New Zealand for 5o years and will provide the statutory basis for our education system for many years. It is in harmony with the Education Commission's report and in keeping with the requirements of a modern education system.  5. Teaching Profession: The National Government's objective is that teachers of New Zealand should be men and women who are well educated, well trained, enthusiastic and adequately paid. The 1962 Commission on Education proposed a 10-year plan to improve the status of the teaching profession and the National Government has already attained most of the targets then projected. In particular, higher salary scales have been achieved, as also a higher annual intake into training colleges, a higher minimum entrance standard, a three-year training course, improved in-service training facilities and improved methods of instruction in keeping with latest techniques. In addition, there have been increased studentships to permit promising primary teacher trainees to take degress and serving teachers to complete them. Increasing numbers of teachers are attending residential in-service training courses and holiday refresher courses and this development will be continued.  6. Smaller classes: The National Government has already made considerable progress in reducing the size of classes, the proportion of classes with more than 40 pupils having been halved since 1960. As the drain on the pool of teachers built up to introduce three-year training is reduced, the National Government will gradually introduce new staffing schedules aimed at achieving a maximum class size in primary schools of 35.  7. Ancillary Staffing: Clerical assistance to relieve teachers of non-classroom work is being increasingly provided and the National Government has introduced an ancillary staffing scheme to make more progress in this sphere. This will be kept under review.  8. Remedial teaching: Part-time assistance above the normal staffing will continue to be provided where warranted for special work with retarded children particularly in reading and arithmetic, and attainment tests will be introduced to find out deficiencies at an early age. These are in course of preparation.  9. Specialist Assistance: Better standards will be the aim in this important aspect of modern education including psychological services to help teachers with maladjusted children. Guidance counsellor services initiated by the National Government and vocational guidance services will be extended.  10. Curriculum: The National Government will ensure the broad education necessary for proper development of the child, while it will pay greater attention to good grounding in the basic subjects. A special curriculum development section in the Education Department has been established and the overhaul of the curriculum to suit modern requirements will be continued, particularly in the forms I to IV group. Special advisers in reading have been appointed and particular attention is being given to training students in the teaching of this subject.  11. School Certificate: The School Certificate Examination will be reorganised on a new basis to meet modern needs and to provide incentives both to those of exceptional ability and to those less will equipped.  12. Brilliant Pupils. The National Government believing that our country depends in a special way on the activities of its most gifted members will see that further efforts are made to identify children of high intelligence or special talent as early as possible and to provide them with the fullest opportunities and incentives to develop their abilities. A university bursary examination has been introduced at the upper sixth level to help these students to advance their attainments.  13. Hostels: An accelerated programme to build hostels for Secondary schools and teachers colleges will be implemented.  14. Country Children: The National Government has always striven to give special help to country children living away from main centres. In addition to establishing more forms I to VI schools in selected districts and re-organising district high schools to take in this range of forms, we propose to build more school hostels to cater for children who must live away from home to get their secondary education. It is also proposed to continue the more generous boarding allowances granted by the National Government and also to continue to improve school transport services. We will review constantly the needs of the Correspondence School.  15. Technical Education:  - In order to develop industry and services fully and efficiently technical education must be geared to provide a greater number of technicians. Advances in technical training are therefore a major educational objective of the National Government.  - To meet the increasing demands of this technical and scientific age with its new horizons of opportunities in technical skills for our youth, we will accelerate the USA development of senior technical institutions by dividing the polytechnics from the technical high schools in centres such as Hamilton and Palmerston North at an earlier stage of growth, and also extend into the higher field of institutes of technology, with a new national institute at Heretaunga.  - Closer relations between the education authorities and industry will be fostered in order to anticipate the growing need for training technically qualified young people for the many branches of industry needing them.  The National Government will also:  - provide teacher training for technical teachers.  - improve the machinery for assessing the needs of industry and commerce for specific training; and  - provide a national School of Catering.  16. Universities: Because higher education in our universities makes a tremendous contribution to national progress by providing teachers, scientists, research workers, professional men and women as well as many leaders in industry, the National Government will make special endeavours to meet the capital needs of the universities. In the next five years these will exceed £45m. The National Government will aim to achieve conditions of employment for the teaching staff that are conducive to attracting and retaining professors and lecturers of high academic attainments. We have set up a University Salaries Committee for the purpose of recommending a basis for university salaries. Pro-vision of more halls of residence and other suitable accommodation for university students is an important need and has high priority in the National Government's policy on University development.  17. Educational Research: The National Government will continue to supplement the finances of the Council of Educational Research to assist in promoting its valuable work.  18. Pre-school Education through play-centres and kindergartens remains an important aspect of policy related to early training and approval will be given to more kindergartens as staff becomes available. We will give increased assistance to play centres and expand pre-school facilities for Maoris.  19. Adult education: The National Government passed the Adult Education Act of 1963, an important objective being to increase the extent of university responsibility for work in adult education and through the influence of the universities to raise the general standard of this work of adult education organised through various channels including the voluntary bodies. Nearly 1000 full time and part time tutors and lecturers are engaged in this work, a high proportion of which is for the advancement of studies and practical experience in arts and crafts, drama, music and literature. The National Government will continue to give full support to the National Council of Adult Education in its work, which includes fostering co-operation between the universities and other organisations engaged in adult education.  20. Independent Schools: The National Government will continue the very considerable assistance already provided for independent schools. This covers grants for all costs on the same basis as for State Schools, apart from buildings, salaries and maintenance of buildings. Provision will be made in appropriate eases for State loans for the construction of independent school buildings.  5. SCIENCE. BASIC POLICY:  1. New Zealand’s growth and well being depends increasingly on the most effective promotion of scientific research and the adoption of its findings in farming, manufacturing and servicing. To achieve this there must be tee best possible allocation of resources between research and extension work. In this, the national government will continue to consult with, and be guided by the national research advisory council.  2. The national government will encourage universities, industrial enterprises and state departments to stimulate research and will encourage the closest co-operation between these to make sure that scientific support is trained to develop New Zealand’s resources.  3. The national government will ensure that adequate teachers and equipment are available to enable young New Zealanders to embark on careers in science. The objective is sufficient men and women interested in New Zealand’s scientific problems who are highly qualified in all fields of pure and applied science.  Details:  4. The National Research Advisory Council is carrying out an investigation into the scientific manpower available to support the expansion of the scientific programme in New Zealand. While there is throughout the world a continually developing exchange of scientists, New Zealand, offering unique opportunities in certain fields, has gained a greater number of scientists than have gone overseas.  5. The National Government has introduced a policy of negotiating research contracts between Government Departments and the Universities. This policy will be expanded. Its purpose is to encourage increased participation by the Universities in Research of national importance and to interest students in studies or research in fields where their knowledge can be applied to New Zealand’s special scientific problems.  6. The National Government will continue to encourage the activities of Industrial Research Associations formed in partnership between Government and farming, manufacturing and servicing industries. At present there are 8 Associations for which grants and subsidies for 1966-67 total over £360,000. This partnership between Government and industry is making a valuable contribution to the productive efficiency of the participating industries.  7. To promote New Zealand’s food industries, the National Government will continue to subsidise research projects at the Faculty of Food Technology, Massey University on a £ for £ basis. Efforts to establish a food research association - a partnership between private enterprise and Government - will be continued.  8. The National Government will continue to support the activities of the Mineral Resources Committee in evaluating the mineral resources of New Zealand. Where companies take up exploration licences for petroleum and other minerals we will make available appropriate scientific services.  9. The National Government, at the request of United Nations has decided to expand the D.S.I.R. staff engaged in geothermal work so that New Zealand scientists can assist in assessing the geothermal resources of Chile and of other countries. It is intended to increase the opportunities for New Zealand scientists to play a fuller part in our of technical assistance to developing countries and in furtherance of this objective the National Government will study how best to utilise the scientific manpower available for related work in such other fields as soils, plant diseases, entomology, and crops and pastures.  10. The National Government will continue to implement a programme of scientific research in Antarctica in close co-operation with the other 11 signatories to the Antarctic Treaty.  11. Other aspects of the National Government’s programme for intensifying scientific research include:  - continuing to provide adequate facilities and equipment for Government research institutions.  - a level of salaries for scientists, research workers and technical assistants which will aim to attract and retain suitable appointees.  - intensification of the capital works programme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other scientific building programmes.  - practical and substantial help in maintaining a close liaison between the Department and the Universities for the vigorous prosecution of research; and  - closer co-ordination of research related to our primary industries with special reference to the scientific and research activities of the Soil, Plant and Animal Husbandry Sections.  6. Youth service. Basic policy.  1. Throughout its history the national party is stressed the need to build the nation upon self-reliant healthy, happy and purposeful young men and women. The party’s philosophy gives emphasis to the kind of thinking and action that appeal to the youth of tee country in whom will rest the responsibilities for the future. Hence the basic approach of the party to policy and administration stems from the desire to provide opportunities to all youth; to encourage initiative and enterprise; to give special privilege to none-; to develop the kind of society where there is a maximum possible degree of freedom and were the deadening hand of socialist restrictions and controls can have no retarding influence. The records of the ill national governments show how successfully and efficiently the country can be governed in accordance with these principles.  2. The national government will encourage youth to take its proper place in the continuity. It recognises the major role played by church and youth organisations in arranging leisure time activities and fostering training for leadership. To the extent that government assistance is desirable or necessary to develop suitable forms of youth activities, sympathetic consideration to proposals will continue to be given by the national government.  Details:  1. The four Youth Activities Officers appointed to the Department of Internal Affairs in 1962 to co-operate with Church and Youth Organisations have concentrated their efforts on fostering leadership training and more co-ordinated use of resources. The aim is to increase the effectiveness, variety and extent of participation in youth work at the local level by local authorities, voluntary youth groups and other agencies. Consideration will be given to extending this service, which has proved to be both acceptable and effective.  2. The National Government has recently greatly expanded the scope and amount of its financial assistance for work among young people by individual youth groups and agencies such as the National Youth Council, churches and religious and welfare groups. In particular, special encouragement has been given to the National Youth Council which is now firmly established and provides a useful link on issues of broad policy between the Government and over 20 major youth organisations with a membership exceeding 300,000 which are affiliated to this Council. We will continue to encourage the work of such groups and to review from time to time the assistance given them by the Government.  3. Recognising the big demands the rapid development of the nation will place upon all sections of our people in the foreseeable future, the National Government will continue to give emphasis to the importance in Government and the community at large, of assisting our young people to be well-educated, physically fit and equipped to take a full part in community life. Various aspects of National’s policy are directed to these ends.  7. Literature and the arts. Basic policy.  1. The national government will encourage the arts as well as a greatest appreciation of them, and of the contribution they can make in promoting national development in the broadest sense. The national government will give incentives to those in the community able and willing to promote the arts in their higher forms so that the notable achievements of New Zealand in economic and social affairs will be matched by greater progress in the arts.  2. For these reasons, the national government will continue its policy of improving the facilities for education in and the practice of the arts, of making grants to organisations engaged in cultural activities, all of allowing tax concessions to those making donations for educational and cultural purposes.  Details:  1. Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council: The National Government established this Council to encourage and foster the development of the arts in New Zealand and make them more available to the public. The National Government regards the Council as the central agency for promoting the arts and will continue to give it full support, including generous financial grants. The finance available to the Council as a result of Government policy has been more than doubled during the past three years.  2. Art Galleries and Museums: The National Government in addition to substantial assistance to the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum will continue to assist other art galleries and museum by making funds available, either directly or through appropriate agencies.  3. The N.Z. Historic Places Trust: This Trust established by the National Government in 1954 has done much to mark, preserve and record New Zealand's historic places. The National Government will continue to ensure that the Trust is enabled to carry out its functions adequately.  4. National Archives: The National Government put the preservation of national archives on a firm basis by enacting the Archives Act 1957. A site for a new archives building has been purchased in Wellington and building plans are being prepared. During recent years considerable progress in sorting and preserving archives of importance in New Zealand's administration and history has been made. The National Government will continue this work.  5. Historic Articles: The Historic articles Act, promoted by the National Government in 1962, is directed to retaining in New Zeal-and, as far as possible, historic articles and, documents that are part of our country’s cultural heritage.  6. Literature: The National Government supports the country's creative writers by means of the Now Zealand Literary Fund.  7. Maori Arts and Crafts: The Rotorua Maori Arts and Crafts Institute has been established at Whakarewarewa by the national Government to give instruction and training in the principal Maori arts and crafts. This is a positive step towards preserving the cultural heritage of the Maori people and initial results are encouraging,  8. National Library: The National Government has established a National Library and appointed a National Librarian. This Library embraces the National Library Service, the General Assembly Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library, while substantially preserving their separate identities. The National Government will foster this important development designed to co-ordinate library facilities at national level to a degree not previously possible.  9. Adult Education: The National Government passed the Adult Education Act of 1963, an important objective being to increase the extent of university responsibility for work in adult education and through the influence of the universities to raise the general standard of this work A adult education organised through various channels including the voluntary bodies. Nearly 1000 full-time and part-time tutors and lecturers are engaged in this work, a high proportion of which is for the advancement of studies and practical experience in arts and crafts, drama, music and literature. The National Government will continue to give full support to the National Council of Adult Education in its work, which includes fostering co-operation between the universities and other organisations engaged in adult education.  8. HEALTH. BASIC POLICY:  1. The heath policy of the national government aims to improve the health of the people generally as well as the welfare of the individual patient, to achieve this, efficient public health services which take full advantage of scientific a advances and modern equipment are a basic objective.  2. At the same time, the national government affirms that the valuable community self-help and initiative of voluntary organisations should be encouraged in their import spheres, which should not be supplanted by public health services unless the need is clearly proved. We will continue to assist these organisations in various ways.  3. in keeping with the national government’s concern to deal sympathetically with those needing special help, its policy for the aged is based on the following principles:  - the right and responsibility of the family to care as far as possible for its older members.  - where aged people cannot reasonably be helped by their families, then the community in which they live, working through religious or welfare organisations and local authorities, with government assistance were necessary, is best qualified to care for them; and  - where the elderly cannot be helped by these means, hospital boards should be responsible for their care.  The policy of generously subsidising religious and welfare organisations in the capital cost of providing homes for the elderly will be continued,  1. The national government will further improve the care of those suffering from mental illnesses and will make further provision for their treatment in general hospitals.  2. The National Government will continue its policy of generous grants and assistance to the Plunket Society and affirms that the Society should be maintained as one of the important voluntary health organisations in the community.  3. The National Government, with the objectives of giving better service to those needing nursing assistance and of saving unnecessary expenditure in public hospitals, will expand the District Nursing Service in both town and country districts as well as encourage hospital boards and private hospitals to develop the Home Nursing Service. Hospital Boards will be encouraged to adopt the community nurse service recently established by the National Government.  4. Encouragement will be given to the work of social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and home aids. The National government will promote extensions of the voluntary "meals-on-wheels" scheme and the laundry service for the aged and infirm.  5. The National Government affirms its policy of ensuring through appropriate government, local authority, welfare, religious and private organisations adequate accommodation of all types for the elderly. It will continue, and review where necessary, the generous subsidies and loans to local authorities and religious and welfare organisations for the erection, purchase and renovation of pensioner flats and homes and hospitals for the aged.  6. The National Government is determined to improve the services for the mentally ill. It has made substantial improvements in medical, nursing and other staffing as well as improving and extending the accommodation for both patients and staff. It will continue this vigorous policy of replacing obsolescent buildings, renovating existing buildings and providing additional accommodation where necessary. The National Government will encourage, by negotiation and agreement, the amalgamation of psychiatric hospitals with public hospitals.  7. The nine basic features of the National Government's PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMME are:  (a) Improved school medical services.  (b) Free dental services for children up to the age of 16.  (c) National Campaign on deafness.  (d) National campaign on defective vision (for early recognition of glaucoma and education on industrial eye accidents).  (e) Occupational health campaign, with particular reference to leptospirosis.  (f) Free immunisation against polio for both children and adults.  (g) A control programme with a view to reducing this disease still further.  (h) Residential and non-residential services and facilities for the intellectually handicapped, including sympathetic support to the Intellectually Handicapped Children's society.  (i) Vigilance in detecting increases in radiation, including radioactive fall-out.  11. The National Government's HOSPITALS POLICY has four features.  (a) Maintenance and expansion of a comprehensive and efficient health and hospital service administered by locally elected Hospital Boards.  (b) Provision of finance to encourage Hospital Boards to allow doctors adequate opportunity to study abroad.  (c) The establishment of more hospital rehabilitation units for helping patients back to normal domestic and trade duties, and the greater use of disabled civilian rehabilitation training centres.  (d) Continuance of the subsidy and suspensory loans schemes introduced by the first National Government to assist private hospitals and maternity homes. We have increased the subsidies to private hospitals and their patients and will keep these under review.  12. A comprehensive review of social security health benefits will be undertaken early next year to determine, after discussions with the medical and other professions involved, what changes and additions are necessary to the scheme to provide the best possible health services for the money expended.  13. The National Government will support the Medical research Council which has been reformed to achieve a more effective contribution to medical science  14. To meet the demands of a rapidly rising population and the need for higher standards of health and medicine, every necessary assistance will be given to the development of the new medical school in Auckland.  9. HOUSING. BASIC POLICY:  1. The national government aims to ensure that new homes are built economically and in sufficient numbers to meet the housing requirements of all our people.  2. The national government affirms that home-ownership is something added to the independence of the citizen and will therefore encourage home ownership by liberal loan assistance, stimulating private financial institutions to lend for housing, fostering such schemes as group building and selling state houses to their tenants. The first national government pissed the joint family homes act which gives protection to family homes.  3. In view of the growing problem of urban sprawl which is swallowing up productive farm lands and enormously increasing the cost of providing community services, the national government will encourage the building of multi-storey accommodation.  4. The national government believes slum clearance must be given increasing prominence as developments occur in the inner-city areas and older houses become sub-standard. We will actively assist in the re-development projects of the city councils concerned, mainly by providing long-term finance for major projects.  Details:  1. The National Government will increase the general lending limit for State Advances loans to build new houses from £2500 to £2650 for persons with-up to two children, rising by steps to £2800 for persons with five or more children.  2. Loans will be provided up to 100 per cent of the cost of new houses with a limit of £3000 where the applicant owns a suitable freehold section. The present limit is £2850.  3. We will lend to applicants including married couples without children) who wish to purchase approved existing houses, up to two thirds of the value, within the present lending limits (£2500 to £2,650 according to size of family). Interest will be at 3 per cent where qualified by income, (with five-yearly reviews of income) or at 5 per cent if not qualified for the concession rate.  4. We will transfer State Advances mortgages to purchasers of approved existing houses, up to two thirds of the value, not exceeding the present lending limits (£2500 to £2650 according to the size of family). Interest will be at 3 per cent where qualified by income, (with five yearly reviews of income) or at 5 per cent if not qualified for the concession rate.  5. To assist in the purchase of the older and larger homes, by people with families, we will encourage greater use of the Mortgage Guarantee scheme whereby the State guarantees to approved lending institutions the amount needed between first mortgage limits and 85 per cent of the value with a loan limit of £3,600. The present limit is £3,000.  6. The National Government will assist persons who have access to advances from approved lending institutions to build new houses by using the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to assure an overall first mortgage limit of 90 per cent, up to a total mortgage of £4,000. The present limit is £3,200.  7. The maximum value of sections eligible for the Insurance Leasehold Scheme will be increased from £750 to £1,000, provided the cast above £750 is found by the purchaser.  8. In order to meet many deserving cases where loan finance is necessary to enable persons to extend their house accommodation to provide for elderly or dependent relatives, the National Government will grant loans up to £1,000, within the limit of two thirds the value of the property including the additions.  9. We will build State rental houses to meet the needs of those on lower incomes who are not able to finance their own homes, In particular, we will:  (a) continue to build larger houses to meet the needs of applicant with big families.  (b) facilitate transfer of State tenants with larger families where they have-out-grown their accommodation.  (c) increase the number of smaller units for tenants whose families have left home, and encourage these tenants transfer from their larger accommodation.  14. We will assist local bodies to finance pensioner flats at low rentals by generous subsidies and low interest loans.  15. The National Government has made statutory provision enabling local bodies to build "own your own" flats for sale to elder persons. We will make finance available if necessary for the purchase f such flats. The first block of these flats is now being built by the Mt Wellington Borough Council.  16. We will provide finance up to ₤3000 per home to assist Counties through the rural House Scheme to provide accommodation for farm workers.  17. Additional features of the National Government's housing policy are:  (a) Group building under which a Government guarantee assists private building, the limit value of the section to be increased to ₤1,000.  (b) Home Lay-by Accounts established by the first National Government, under which money saved to acquire a home is subsidised, at the new figure of ₤100 bonus on ₤2,000 saved.  (c) Capitalising family benefits - for the purchase of new or existing homes as well as State rental houses.  (d) Loans for now houses at 3 per cent interest - where applicants qualify for the concession rate (with five-yearly reviews of income). The present income limit of ₤1,040 plus ₤50 per child will be increased to ₤1.140 plus £50 per child.  (e) Crown sections available to group builders - on optional lease or purchase to enable home-seekers to purchase group houses with the lowest possible cash deposits; the limit value of the section will be increased from ₤750 to ₤1000.  (f) Sale of sections in large Government housing blocks to persons wishing to build their own homes.  (g) Sale of State houses to tenants to encourage home ownership.  (h) Departmental houses and "Pool" houses for State servants on transfer.  (i) Rental flats for single women.  (j) financial assistance to local bodies to play a greater part in the-housing of their citizens and in the development of building sections,  18. Community Halls in New Housing areas: The National Government recognises the need for essential community facilities in big areas of new housing development as early as possible to provide adequate opportunities for young people, particularly, to pursue social and leisure interests. The Government will continue to finance community facilities linked with State school assembly halls in approved housing areas, both State and private.  10. Social security. Basic policy.  1. The national government affirms that the nation has a duty to care for the aged, the sick and needy with generosity and justice and at the same time to ensure that the thrifty are not penalised.  2. We believe the community’s duty, particularly towards the aged, does not end with the payment of monetary benefits by the state. The national government will seek to improve welfare services though co-operation with, and direct assistance for, voluntary organisations so that their invaluable contribution to human welfare may be extended.  3. Rates of benefits other than family will be increased from time to time having regard to increases in national income wages and the cost of living.  Details:  1. The social advances achieved in recent years have been made possible in large measure by the inspired and dedicated work of religious and welfare organisations, assisted by State subsidies. We believe that more can be achieved by this partnership and the National Government will strive to help and extend this field of social welfare. The Government’s policy of allowing certain donations made out of income to approved charitable and welfare organisations to be deductible for income tax has assisted the flow of charitable donations for community welfare purposes.  2. The National Government established the Welfare Fund to provide supplementary assistance for those in greater need than normal. The rates of and qualifications for this assistance have been considerably liberalised in recent years. This form of special help will be continued.  3. The National Government-introduced a new social security benefit for mental patients in hospitals and will review the rates from time to time.  4. The National Government will undertake a review of the social security provisions for those women, particularly with dependent children, who have lost the financial support of their husbands.  11. Maori affairs. Basic policy.  1. The basic policy of the national government is equality between Maori and European in accordance with the spirit and meaning of the treaty Wiatangi.  2. Believing that all our citizens have a natural and legal right to complete equality the national government aims at social and economic equality for the Maori people as fellow New Zealand citizens. It will continue to bring to bear in all aspects of its policy and administration a genuine desire to assist them, especially when particular needs require sympathetic attention.  3. The national government will in consultation with Maori organisations further encourage Maori cultural pursuits such as arts and crafts and history, so as to preserve all that is best in Maoritanga. To this end, present subsidies will be continued.  Details. Lands:  4. The National Government will continue its progressive land policy for Maoris in the following ways:  (a) Financially, through assistance to Maori Land Incorporations for land improvement afforestation on suitable Maori land and to settlers purchasing freeholds.  (b) Legally through power for Maori land owners to convert their holdings into shares to avoid further fragmentation of land, encouragement through consultation with Maori land-owners for the adoption of schemes for title improvements through amalgamations and trusts, and assistance in enforcing covenants of leases of Maori land against defaulting lessees.  (c) By giving encouragement and providing opportunities to Maoris to get complete farm training and to settle on available Maori land.  5. The Governmert is examining the Prichard rerort and will give careful consideration to the best means of effecting desirable changes.  6. Housing: Because so many of the difficulties of the Maori people have stemmed from inadequate or substandard housing the National Government has made special efforts to overcome the back-log in new housing for Maoris. Maori housing will continue to have high priority while the need is great. In particular, a National Government will continue:  - to assist young married couples to obtain satisfactory housing by granting loans from the Maori Trustee in addition to the normal loans, provided 10% of the value of the section has been paid; and  - To provide suitable cottages for rental in the locality concerned for elderly Maoris living in sub-standard dwellings on Maori land which the owners desire the Government, and it is willing, to develop.  7. Health: The Maori Health Committee of the Board of Health established by the National Government will diagnose special health problems and promote remedial treatment programmes. Every opportunity is being taken to increase the health education programme among Maoris. In particular, the National Government will continue the special work being done in treating ear complaints in children, anaemia in mothers and children and in reducing pulmonary tuberculosis and infant mortality.  8. Education:  - The Maori Education Foundation established by the National Government is now supplementing what the school system is doing for Maori education by giving help at all levels from the pre-school to the university. The National Government will give further special educational assistance to Maoris when the need is clearly shown, for example, by providing additional help to schools in which there are many pupils (Maoris or others) whose achievements are lagging seriously behind their capacities.  - The National Government will strive to encourage more Maoris to seek professional and skilled occupations and will encourage suitable young people to take advantage of appropriate education opportunities, including scholarships, and full support and encouragement will continue to be given to adult education among Maoris.  - The National government has greatly extended trade-training schemes for Maoris and will widen the scope to additional trades as opportunity offers.  - An increasing number of pre-school Maori children are being given the opportunity of play centre training. The National Government will encourage this development. An increase of 70% in 1966 in the grant to the N.Z. Federation of Play Centres will be reflected in greater availability to Maori children of play centre experience.  - Maori Arts and Crafts: The Rotorua Maori Arts and Crafts Institute has been established at Whakarewarewa by the National Government to give instruction and training in the principal Maori arts and crafts. This is a positive step towards preserving the cultural heritage of the Maori people and initial results are encouraging.  9. Welfare: The National Government will extend the Welfare Officer Service and encourage the work of Maori Women’s Welfare Leagues which were established under the first National Government. While recognising that progressively larger numbers of Maoris will become urban workers and residents, a National Government will endeavour to maintain and strengthen the home communities of Maoris in rural areas. We will encourage the Maori Committee organisation and consult the New Zealand Maori Council also established by the National Government on all proposed legislation affecting the Maori people.  10. The National Government will continue to provide hostels for young Maori people working in cities, or grant subsidies to churches and other suitable organisations to do so.  11. Youth leadership training will be undertaken and encouragement given to suitable Maori youth organisations.  12. External affairs. Basic policy.  1. The national government's policy in external affairs is the vigorous pursuit of New Zealand’s national interests in the international sphere, the maintenance of our own and other countries' independence and the loyal discharge of our international obligations.  2. In the belief that the best guarantee of New Zealand’s security is a secure world, we will continue to exert all the influence within our power to preserve world peace and to promote social and economic progress. We will give full support to the United Nations.  3. We are pledged to keep the commonwealth a strong force in world affairs and so maintain its unique contribution to international harmony and international understanding. We will preserve our specially close ties with Britain and seek to strengthen our friendly association with other commonwealth members.  4. We wholeheartedly support the goal of general disarmament by means of an international agreement. We will continue to press for the earliest possible conclusion of a treaty banning all nuclear tests and containing satisfactory arrangements for verification and control.  5. While the threat of communist aggression remains a dominant factor in south-east Asia, the national government will continue to contribute to the defence of that area and the pacific, by giving full weight to new Zealand’s membership of ANZUS, SEATO and commonwealth defence arrangements and by the effective organisation of our military forces. both in Malaysia and Vietnam, we will, in close association with our allies, provide military and economic assistance until the right of these states to live free from external interference is assured.  6. The national government encouraged the people of the Cook Island to take steps progressively towards the self-government recently achieved by them and we will continue to promote the progress of these islands. Increased assistance will also be given to New Zealand’s island territories and Western Samoa. In co-operation with other pacific countries, we will support the economic development of the people of all the islands of the pacific.  Details:  3. The National Government will:  - maintain, on all matters of common concern, the closest possible consultation with Britain and other members of the Commonwealth; and  - Strive to make our partnership with Australia and the United States of America even more effective in the interests of peace and progress in the paciie, where our commitments lead us to closer cooperation with these two countries.  3. In recognition of the importance to New Zealand of economic and political developments in Asia, we will do all possible to encourage co-operation and closer relations with our neighbours in that area. The National Government is pledged specifically to increase New Zealand's assistance to countries in South-East Asia in the economic and social fields. The National Government will pay special attention to the developmental needs of South-East Asia and will continue to contribute to schemes of international aid to underdeveloped countries, especially the Colombo Plan, ECAFE and Commonwealth Aid. It will devote particular attention to the technical training of Asian, African and Islands students in New Zealand, currently averaging about 1,000 a year.  4. In furtherance of our policy of promoting the economic and social development of the Cook Islands, which have recently achieved self-government in association with New Zealand, the National Government will continue to give them economic assistance, currently exceeding ₤1 million per annum.  5. We will continue to encourage and increase, where appropriate, the assistance to the Council of Volunteer Service Abroad, which the National Government sponsored, to arrange for volunteer workers from New Zealand to serve abroad.  6. The National Government is pledged to an expanded programme of New Zealand aid to underdeveloped countries. In the current year aid expenditure will rise to almost ₤5 million, more than double that provided in 1960-61, and we will continue to respond to the special needs of those countries which New Zealand is in a position to assist directly or through international agencies.  12. Under a National Government, New Zealand will continue to lay its full part in the activities of the United Nations in New York as well as its related organisations in the economic and social fields such as (FAO, UNESCO, ILO, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), IKF and the World Bank.  13. Vigorous action will be taken to promote New Zealand's trading interests by all means including active participation in the GATT and other international bodies concerned with the development of a more stable and less restrictive basis for world trade.  14. The National Government will ensure that New Zealand’s representation abroad is maintained and extended in accordance with our national interests and diplomatic, trading, and military needs and responsibilities. The National Government has opened new diplomatic posts at Bonn and Rome in 1966. These follow in the line of a long list of new overseas posts created by the second National Government which has transformed New Zealand's status in international relations. In addition to consular and trade posts and multiple accreditation’s of a number of New Zealand's Heads Z Missions, new diplomatic posts in the last five years include Brussels, the Hague, Saigon, Hong Kong, Geneva and Djakarta. New Zealand is once again represented on the Security Council of the United Nations.  13. Defence. Basic policy.  1. The national government believes its first duty is to defend the people of New Zealand and to ensure that adequate, well-equipped and well-trained forces are provided.  2. To this end, the national government will continue to see that new Zealand’s security is safeguarded and that the country is able to carry out its obligations to the commonwealth, the united nations and our allies in defence of the free world.  3. The national government's policy is one of collective defence in full collaboration with our allies and closer association in matters of plumping and equipment.  Details:  1. Expenditure on defence under the National Government has been increased from ₤29M in 1963-64 to £18M in 1966-67. This has enabled the re-equipment of all three services to be kept at a high level. The Navy is negotiating an order for a fourth frigate. The Army is now better provided than ever before in peacetime with weapons, vehicles and equipment. Helicopters for support of Army and Navy operations have been bought, and the C130 Hercules transport aircraft now in use with the RNZAF, and the Orion maritime reconnaissance aircraft arriving at the end of 1966, are the best of their kind in service with any air force today. New combat aircraft to replace the Canberras, and light aircraft for army field support, are being evaluated.  2. The essential features of our defence administration are:  a) Close co-ordination of the three Services through the Ministry of Defence. The creation of a single Ministry in 1964 has enabled the Government to increase the efficiency of the armed forces, and to take initial steps towards the integration of common functions and the best use of resources.  b) continuous re-equipment of the armed forces with modern equipment and  c) maintaining a ready-to-go Army combat Brigade Group and Logistic Support based on an adequate and efficient National Service programme, together with appropriate Naval and Air Force contributions to collective defence  1. A major review of Service pay and conditions was made by the Government in 1965, to assist recruiting and make a career in the services competitive with other occupations.  The rehabilitation arrangements for servicemen who have completed tours of duty abroad are generous and the National Government will ensure that all who qualify will be given an opportunity to become re-established in civilian life.  14. Overseas trade. Basic policy.  1. Because the progressive expansion of exports is vital to Zealand’s economic development, the national government is determined to promote energetically tee expansion and diversification of New Zealand’s export trade. A senior minister will continue to have tee special responsibility in government for promoting overseas trade in fare, forestry and industrial products.  2. The national government appointed the trade promotion council which is meeting regularly and drawing upon the wide experience of its members in assisting with the development of New Zealand’s exports. We will continue to encourage organised promotion of export industries through, and in consultation with, producer and manufacturer organisations.  3. The broad policy of tee national government will continue to be to encourage trade through private enterprise and on multi-literal trading basis, with the base in the commonwealth and its preferences, so that New Zealand importers and workers will be free to buy and sell on the markets of their choice. The government will aid the trader with appropriate facilities and incentives.  4. The Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement which came into operation on 1 January 1966 will provide steadily increasing opportunities for new Zealand to build up its export trade. The national government will continue to encourage the development of trans-Tasman trade in co-operation with New Zealand producers, manufacturers and with adequate safeguards for our industries.  Details:  1. The National Government will continue the active and positive steps already taken to safeguard our trade in lamb, butter, cheese and other products likely to be affected in the event of Britain joining the European Economic Community (EEC). A senior and experienced Minister will have the continuing responsibility for maintaining a close watch on developments, preparing New Zealand’s case for a special arrangement to protect our position and conducting the negotiations, if and when Britain applies for membership of the European Economic Community.  Typical of the moves made by the National Government in promoting exports have been:  (a) New and extended trade agreements.  (b) New trade commissioner posts, of which there are now 24, including 10 opened by the second National Government.  (c) Trade missions to potential new markets.  (d) Trade surveys of countries likely to provide new customers.  (e) Participation in trade fairs abroad.  Advertising and publicity support to trade promotion campaigns.  7. The planning, organisation and manning of trade missions has been developed as a consequence of the extensive experience of recent years. The active co-operation and support of the Trade Promotion Council, the Producer Boards and the Manufacturers Federation has resulted in a series of highly successful trade missions. Further trade missions to Australia, South East Asia, Japan, North America and the Pacific Islands are proposed for the next three years.  8. The National Government will continue to provide taxation and licensing incentives to manufacturers to increase the volume of their exports or to commence exporting. We will keep the nature and extent of the incentives under review so that the most effective encouragement will be given to exporters of industrial products.  9. We will cooperate with the Producer Boards and exporters in their new moves to increase the sales of and extend the market for, primary produce.  10. Vigorous action will be taken to promote New Zealand's trading interests by all means including active participation in the GATT and other international bodies concerned with the development of a more stable and satisfactory basis for world trade. The Kennedy round of trade negotiations in GATT which have been proceeding for the past three years reach their climax in the next few months in the final negotiating round in Geneva. These negotiations provide New Zealand with opportunities to improve its access to overseas markets and the National Government will continue its strenuous efforts to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion.  11. The Export Guarantee Office (EXGO) established by the National Government is now providing export credit insurance for traders and will be a continuing aid to the export trade particularly in new markets and in countries where trading conditions are uncertain.  15. Farming. Basic policy:  1. The national government's policy is to ensure increasing efficiency and profitability in New Zealand farming. New Zealand’s economy will expand as we earn more in overseas markets. The quickest way to increase our earnings overseas is to expand our farm production. The national government will continue to co-operate with the agricultural production council to reach the target set by the development conference.  2. Access to markets is essential in this enterprise. The national government will devote increasing energy to the expansion of market opportunities round the world. Continuing consultation will be maintained with farmers' representatives and those processing New Zealand firm products and selling them overseas.  3. The trade promotion council, on which the producer boards arm fully represented, will continue to give expert advice to the government on the expansion and diversification of our exports of farming products.  4. Over the past three years the farmers of New Zealand have achieved record increases in livestock numbers and spectacular increases in production. In this they have been encouraged by the tide scope of incentives introduced by the national government. These have included special depreciation allowance on farm buildings, plant and machinery, deduction in full of farm development expenditure, the farm income equalisation scheme, spreading of income from unusual sales of livestock or sales on retirement, fertiliser freight subsidy, a massive increase in state advances, lending to farmers and the new taxation incentive for increased livestock. These have contributed to all-time records in the production of butterfat, wool and in livestock numbers attained during the 1965/66 season.  Details:  1. The Department of Agriculture will be strengthened to give an expanding service to farming. The National Government will continue to develop the Farm Advisory Service and the Farm Economics Section of the Department.  2. The National Government will increase the number of Demonstration Farms operated by the Department of Agriculture.  3. The National Government will ensure that there is continuing co-operation between the Department of Agriculture and Farm improvement clubs.  4. To increase the efficiency of our livestock, the National Government will promote the development of the Performance Recording Service in co-operation with the meat and wool sections of farming industry.  5. Using the facilities of the maximum security Quarantine Station being established on Somes Island, the National Government will import selected breeds to support efforts at the Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre to increase the range of livestock production.  6. The National Government will reorganise the Animal Health Division of the Department of agriculture to provide a veterinary advisory service. The Division's officers will be available to assist the veterinary profession and advise farmers on the early recognition and control of animal diseases. The Division will carry out surveys of the incidence of disease and advise on appropriate methods of control. We will continue to develop diagnostic facilities.  7. We will follow through with the programme already introduced to train veterinarians overseas in the recognition and control of exotic diseases.  8. The National Government has introduced a national scheme for compulsory vaccination of all cattle against Brucellosis. We will continue the campaigns to eradicate Tb from all dairy herds and hydatids from our flocks.  9. The National Government established the Agricultural engineering Institute at Lincoln and will continue to facilitate its operations and expansion. The aim is to give a guide to farmers in selecting mast suitable equipment and to assist manufacturers in providing more adequately for the technical requirements of New Zealand farming, The testing of tractor safety frames which was one of the first basis given to the Institute has already resulted in the approval of a number of frames.  10. As recommended by the agricultural Development Conference, the National Government is at present drafting legislation to establish an agricultural Pests council and this will be discussed with all interested parties.  11. The National Government, to assist in the development of markets for meat has decided to establish the position of Meat hygiene Representative in London. It will be the duty of this officer to maintain liaison with meat importing countries with a view to facilitating entry to those markets.  12. The national Government has always recognised that a vigorous policy if land development is the first essential to maintaining and improving the nation's standards of living. The following 7-point land settlement policy remains in the forefront of the national  Government ‘s agricultural administration:  - Optional freehold or leasehold tenure.  - Up to 90% finance for suitably qualified men taking up land provided from development schemes.  - Finance for suitable applicants on other approved properties.  - Intensified development of unoccupied Crown and Maori lands.  - Extensions of purchase by private treaty of areas suitable fur subdivision.  - Review as they fall due, or as terms can be negotiated with licence-holders, of Crown leases or licences of areas, particularly in the South Island, which are suitable for more intensive settlement under modern methods.  - Extension of irrigation schemes in suitable areas.  17. The National Government has given the marginal Lands Board statutory power to purchase farms, and finance has been made available for the voluntary amalgamation and re-subdivision of such properties where this will lead to the establishment of economic farming operations.  18. Appreciating the difficulties experienced by same farmers in re-financing, the National Government has increased the vote to the Marginal Lands Board to meet applications where this assistance is not available from private lending institutions, and the further development of a potentially economic property is being restricted. Figures of financing of private development under the marginal Lands act show a three-fold rise from ₤375,000 in 1961/62 to ₤1126000 in the 1964/65 financial year. This is clear evidence of the success of the National Government's policy.  19. Farm financing through the State Advances Corporation has increased during the term of the present National Government from ₤7.7m in 1960 to ₤21.2m. in 1966, and we will continue to provide the finance necessary to ensure that qualifying farmers may develop their properties and increase the output of exportable produce. As already announced, and to facilitate progress in this field, the State Advances Corporation will open a separate Rural Division within the Corporation.  20. The National Government has adopted a policy of purchasing deteriorated properties, not normally saleable, for long-term development. In recent years properties of this type have been bought in the Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa districts. Including these, land purchases from private owners for development purposes has totalled over million acres during the past five years - the annual purchases having trebled in that period.  21. Land Utilisation: The National Government, in furtherance of its policy of increasing farm production for export, has made good progress in conducting land utilisation surveys to establish area potentials. Surveys of the Gisborne-East Coast area and the Te Anau basin were published in 1964 and one of the Ohinemuri County has been completed. The functions of the Land Utilisation Section of the Lands and Survey Department have been revised with a view to undertaking a land inventory on a national basis. This will provide the first authoritative record of New Zealand's land resources. It will also give the basic data required for the more specialised regional and economic surveys undertaken by the Ministry of Works and the Department of Industries and Commerce.  22. Water and Sail Conservation: The National Government has always emphasised the importance of conserving fertile land which is the prime source of our national wealth. During the term of the 'second National Government its expenditure on soil conservation, rivers control and drainage has been nearly doubled and we will continue to give this work high priority. In recognition of the need to have the relevant legislation more appropriate to present requirements, the National Government has introduced a Water and Soil Conservation Bill as a first step in a now programme for promoting a national water policy. This Bill has been referred to a Select Committee for examination during the 1966-67 Parliamentary Recess and all interested parties will have opportunity to present their views. The aim is to draw up new legislation which will provide the best basis for further progress in water and soil conservation.  23. Forestry.  a. The National Government will continue to stimulate by way of loans or tax concessions the planting of trees by private owners of land which is unsuitable for farming but lends itself to afforestation.  b. Under the 1965 Forestry Encouragement Act, the National Government has provided for loan assistance extended to local authorities interested in afforestation projects. Consideration is being given to granting similar assistance to public companies engaged in pure forestry ventures.  c. In addition to its encouragement of increased exotic afforestation by farmers and others, the National Government will itself extend new plantings by the State Forest Service. These have already doubled during the term of the present Government to 20000 acres a year while production from State forests has increased by a third in the same period. This important aspect of land utilisation will be given increased emphasis as the demand for forest products grows.  d. The National Government has given forest research a great fillip by commencing the first stage of the new Research Institute Building at Rotorua to cost £235000. The Institute employs 62 professional officers and to facilitate an expansion of its research programme, we have authorised the appointment of additional scientists.  16. Fisheries. Basic policy.  1. An entirely new era in the important primary industry of commercial fishing has been opened up by the imaginative and constructive policies of the national government in recent years. The socialist licensing controls were swept away and new freedoms to exploit the harvest of the sea in New Zealand waters have resulted in a greater expansion of fisheries than previously in New Zealand’s history. Fleets have been enlarged, public investment in the industry has become considerable, catches have increased and ancillary industries such as fish processing, by-products and boat building have received new life.  2. We will continue to encourage the fisheries industries to satisfy the domestic market for fish and to meet the challenge of the potentially lucrative export markets awaiting development. Already there has been a substantial expansion and diversification of fisheries which have opened up new opportunities for private enterprise, provided gainful employment for considerable additional numbers of fishermen and factory workers, and already resulted in a substantial increase in export earnings.  3. This is only the beginning and the national government will vigorously pursue a wide-ranging policy designed to develop the fisheries industries into a significant sector of the  Details:  4. We have already completed phase one of our development programme:  (a) Acting on 125 of the 128 recommendations of the 1962 Select Committee on the Fishing Industry.  (b) Establishing a Fishing Industry Board to assist in the development of the industry.  (c) Amending the Shipping and Seamen Act to provide for realistic manning of fishing vessels and introducing survey requirements to improve safety standards for fishing vessels.  (d) Abolishing the restrictive licensing system.  (e) Extending the exclusive fishing zone to 12 miles.  (f) Providing taxation incentives to exporters of good quality fish, both fresh and processed.  (g) establishing quality standards and a code of practice covering hygienic handling of fish, from catching to consumer, for local and export markets; and  (h) passing legislation to enable the development of rock oyster farming as an industry by private operators  5. The National Government after conducting an economic survey of the industry in 1965 has decided to continue its programme for development along the following lines  (a) Investigation into selection of fish export grading ports and training of grading officers.  (b) Investigation into all aspects of fish marketing.  (c) Development of fisheries education for the industry including the establishment of a New Zealand Fisheries School.  (d) Investigation into modern methods of transport of fresh and processed fish.  (e) Further research, already producing successful results, is being undertaken at Massey University into the use of certain fish in food processing.  (f) preparation of adequate fisheries statistics; and  (g) survey of industry development, with a view to finding further means of giving encouragement to fisheries  6. As a further incentive to the expansion of the industry, the National Government set up a ₤500,000 mortgage guarantee and ₤300,000 loans scheme to provide finance through the State Advances Corporation for individual fishermen for the purchase of boats and gear on the recommendation of a Fishing Industry Loans Committee Incentive finance for major expansion schemes will be considered by the Development Finance Corporation set up by the Government.  7. An important aspect of the National Government's policy for the fishing industry is to increase fisheries research in all its aspects, including a survey of fishing grounds and fisheries technology (food, gear, boats, fish handling and processing) and to expand the present staff substantially for these purposes as early as practicable Experimental tuna fishing has been commenced and will continue. Improved laboratories have been opened and a fisheries technology centre is being developed in Wellington; preliminary planning has begun for permanent fisheries laboratories in three to four years. A new fisheries technology vessel has been purchased at a cost of ₤106,000 to demonstrate gear and methods, survey fishing grounds, and give a lead to industry in the exploitation of important pelagic species. Plans are being prepared for a new research vessel for deep water research.  8. Consideration will be given to the development of field extension or advisory services to the industry to promote the use of modern techniques, methods and equipment. Training courses are being held regularly to promote higher standards in the use of gear and technical aids, in safety at sea and in fish handling.  17. Industry. Basic policy.  1. The national government believes that consistent expansion of industry is essential for the development of our economy the raising of our standards of living and the provision of jobs for our increasing population.  2. A basic principle is that the most effective industrial development can be best achieved by private competitive enterprise with a minimum of regulation or control by the state.  3. The criteria for industrial development recommended by the tariff and development board in 1963 are accepted by the national government as the guiding principles for the development of industry. The broad objective of the government is to stimulate industrial development in such a way that the greatest productivity and the most economic use of our resources of labour, capital ant material are achieved.  4. The tariff and development boards whose members are men of wide business -experience will continue to advise the government on the extent and method of protection necessary for the establishment and expansion of competitive economic industry in terms of the criteria for industrial development.  5. The national government will continue its policy, within the limits allowed by the overseas funds position of exempting raw materials for industry from import licensing and of progressively increasing the flexibility in the system. This is to enable industrialists to enjoy freedom in ordering their imported requirements to meet the changing needs of the market.  Details:  6. A prime objective of the National Government is to restrain the cost structure of the country so that:  (a) exporters will be competitive in world markets and thus ensure earnings of adequate overseas funds to finance the necessary raw material requirements for industry; and  (b) manufacturers will be enabled to keep their prices more in line with overseas costs.  7. Depreciation allowances and investment and financial incentives of the type provided for in the Budgets of the National Government underline the importance we attach to expansion of up-to-date industry and promotion of exports. These incentives for development will continue to be used as economic circumstances require.  8. The Tariff and Development Board will continue to meet the official representatives of leading industrial and commercial groups and report to the Government on matters relating to industrial development.  9. The National Government welcomes overseas loan and equity. Capital for the development of industry, wherever possible in conjunction with New Zealand shareholding. Publications setting out Government policy and containing advice to investors have been widely distributed within New Zealand and overseas.  10. The Development Finance Corporation established on a private enterprise basis with Government backing is now providing finance for industrial development which qualifies for support. Under a National Government the Corporation will make a useful contribution to the growth of industry, by providing loans for sound development proposals in cases where finance on reasonable terms is not available from other landing institutions.  11. In accordance with its basic approach to industrial development through long-term expansion of sound industries, the National Government will investigate opportunities for establishing new industries of economic worth. The establishment of an iron and steel industry will be carried through to completion expeditiously, on the basis of a New Zealand-owned and directed company supported by the best overseas technical advice, managerial experience and capital available. The National Government is proceeding with the building of the Manapouri Power Scheme to provide cheap power as the basis for the aluminium industry. The Government is co-operating fully with Comalco in the Planning for the establishment of this industry.  12. The National Government is giving all possible encouragement the development of industries based on agriculture and forestry as well as other industries using indigenous raw materials.  13. The National Government will encourage improvements in design and presentation of products of industry. The Industrial Design Act was passed in the last session of Parliament and the Industrial Design Council is in the process of being established.  14. The development of industry to take advantage of the opportunities created by the New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement will be encouraged.  15. Import Licensing: The National Government has substantially relaxed the control over imports by exempting from licensing one third in value of all imports. While the need for some import licensing remains because of the level of overseas exchange reserves, the National Government will continue with its policy of progressively relaxing the requirements of the system through greater flexibility and simpler procedures. The system will be reviewed from time to time to conform with changing conditions and every endeavour will be made to remove anomalies. The National Government's basic policy on import control is:  (a) Manufacturer’s raw materials and equipment:  As soon as the overseas funds allow, import licensing will be removed  (i) from manufacturers' raw materials and equipment of a class not made in New Zealand; and  (ii) from remaining raw materials and equipment when recommended by the Tariff and Development Board after hearing representations from affected parties, but only after adequate protective customs duties are in force.  (b) Finished Goods: When the overseas funds position becomes satisfactory, import licensing will be removed  (i) from finished goods not made in New Zealand; and  (ii) from other finished goods after inquiries and recommendations by the Tariff and Development Board; but only after adequate protective duties arc in force.  (c) Token Licences: While import licensing remains, it will continue to be the policy of the National government to allow imports of token quantities of finished goods for comparative and competitive purposes.  16. Technical Education:  a) In order to develop industry and services fully and efficiently, technical education must be geared to provide a greater number of technicians. Advances in technical training are therefore a major educational objective of the National Government.  (b) To meet the increasing demands of this technical and scientific age with its new horizons of opportunities in technical skills for our youth, we will accelerate the development of senior technical institutions by dividing the polytechnics from the technical high schools in centres such as Hamilton and Palmerston North at an earlier stage of growth, and also extend into the higher field of institutes of technology, with a new national institute at Heretaunga.  (c) Closer relations between the education authorities and industry will be fostered in order to anticipate the growing need for training technically qualified young people for the many branches of industry needing them.  (d) The National Government will also improve the machinery for assessing the needs of industry and commerce for specific training.  17. Recognising the desirability of balanced economic and social development throughout the country, the National Government has undertaken specific research programmes which will provide the basic knowledge to enable the problems of decentralisation to be assessed and policies to be formulated, The first of these studies on the effect of freight rates on South island industry has already been published.  18. The National Government will establish the Inventions Development Authority under legislation passed in 1966 with the objective of making the best use of the practical inventive talent of our people. The National Government will, in consultation with other principal shareholders in the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company Ltd, arrange for the gradual disposal of Government-held shares in the company. The objectives would be  (a) To preserve the balance of voting strength of New Zealand shares in relation to overseas shares.  (b) To ensure that the shares were sold only to New Zealand citizens.  (c) To provide that the shares could not be acquired by overseas interests; and  (d) To dispose of the shares over a period of years to avoid depressing the market valve of shares already held by other shareholders and to ensure the widest possible spread of ownership.  18. Commerce. Basic policy.  1. The national government re-affirms its faith in the value of vigorous private enterprise as the mainspring of economic development and with a view to granting the greatest possible freedom to business, the national government will continue to remove or relax controls over trading which cannot be justified within a policy of promoting private competitive enterprise.  2. Export promotion of both farm and industrial products remains in the forefront of the national government's trading policy. All reasonable means to assist traders to develop new products for export and new markets, and to expand existing ones will be adopted, including strong support for the trade promotion council appointed by the national government and fully representative of farming, manufacturing, trading and worker interests.  3. The national government will continue its policy, within the limits allowed by the overseas funds position, of progressively increasing the flexibility in the import licensing system so that importers and industrialists may enjoy the greatest possible freedom in ordering their imported requirements to meet me changing needs of the market.  Details:  4. Import Licensing: The National Government has substantially relaxed the control over imports by exempting from licensing one third in value of all imports. While the need for some import licensing remains because of the level of overseas exchange reserves, the National Government will continue with its policy of progressively relaxing the requirements of the system through greater flexibility and simpler procedures. The system will be reviewed from time to time to conform with changing conditions and every endeavour will be made to remove anomalies.  The National Government's basic policy on import licensing is  (a) Manufacturer’s raw materials and equipment:  As soon as the overseas funds allow, import licensing will be removed  (i) from manufacturers' raw materials and equipment of a class not made in New Zealand; and  (ii) from remaining raw materials and equipment when recommended by the Tariff and Development Board after hearing representations from affected parties, but only after adequate protective customs duties are in force.  (b) Finished Goods: When the overseas funds position becomes satisfactory, import licensing will be removed  (i) from finished goods not made in New Zealand; and  (ii) from other finished goods after inquiries and recommendations by the Tariff and Development Board; but only after adequate protective duties arc in force.  (c) Token Licences: While import licensing remains, it will continue to be the policy of the National government to allow imports of token quantities of finished goods for comparative and competitive purposes.  5. Statutory provision has been made for a new Customs Tariff to be issued coincidentally with the introduction of decimal currency in July 1967. The new Tariff will adopt the Brussells Tariff nomenclature. This will be a great benefit to trading and remove confusion in international dealings.  6. In accordance with the National Government's policy, price control has been removed from a further large group of goods so that items remaining are mostly confined to subsidised goods, products of monopoly industries and goods in short supply. We will continue to remove price control as the situation warrants.  7. In fulfilment of the National Government's policy commitments, the Consumer Institute has been established as an independent organisation. The Institute is gaining widespread support and is providing the greater part of its financial requirements from consumer subscriptions. These will continue to be supplemented by a Government grant.  8. The Standards Institute has been established as an independent authority with Government financial support. The Institute is seeking increased financial contributions from industry and other organisations which receive the benefit of the work of the Standards Council and its committees.  9. Legislation providing for a cooling off period in relation to door to door credit and hire purchase sales has been passed and further reform of hire purchase legislation will be considered in the light of the full report of the Tariff and Development Board when this is completed.  19. Employment and industrial relations. Basic policy:  1. The national party accepts, as a primary responsibility of government, the maintenance of a steadily expanding economy in which every one able and willing to work can be assured of an adequate opportunity of gainful employment under fair working conditions. The national government in office has demonstrated this by its actions and will continue to follow this policy.  2. The national government will continue to ensure that the real income of wage earners increases in keeping with national prosperity and development.  3. a guiding principle of the national is that the welfare of the community as a whole is best promoted when workers are fairly rewarded in relation to their contribution to the wealth of the nation and who are thus given the incentives to work wholeheartedly with employers to achieve maximum output at economic costs.  4. The national government considers that a strong and constant flow of suitable immigrants is important to the balanced development of New Zealand. To ensure there will be sufficient numbers of immigrants with those specialised skills particularly needed in new Zealand, the policy will be to continue assisted immigration for selected classes of skilled workers, including agricultural workers, and to give encouragement and assistance to employers’ association schemes.  Details:  1. Successive National Ministers of Labour have demonstrated a capacity for fairness and impartiality; and a devotion to the development of improved industrial relations which have resulted in an enviable record of industrial peace. During the terms of office of the National Government, New Zealand has enjoyed a period of industrial harmony which cannot be matched by any other democratic country, The policies and administration of which this is the outcome will be continued.  2. Under National Governments, Officers of the Department of Labour responsible for the enforcement of laws governing the conduct of industry such as the Factories Act, Construction Act, Shops and Offices Act and Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, have been trained and encouraged to perform their tasks with tact and understanding, as well as with firmness and efficiency. This policy which has contributed to improved working conditions and industrial harmony, will be continued.  3. The National Government gives unqualified support to the principles of conciliation and arbitration as a means of settling employment conditions and disputes. It stands firmly behind the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and emphasises its view that for the continuing success of this legislation it is increasingly essential to have strong and responsible organisations of both workers and employers.  4. The National Government will actively continue a policy which includes:  (a) promoting a better understanding of the true and proper relationship to workers and employers in modern society.  (b) fuller consultation, improved understanding of problems and objectives, and better team work in industry.  (c) reduction of disabling accidents and loss of life in industry with resultant increased happiness and prosperity for workers and their dependants; and  (d) improvement of industrial training and industrial efficiency through apprenticeship and vocational training, training within industry, and advisory services provided by the Labour Department to a widening sector of industry.  1. Apprenticeship and Vocational Training: The Royal Commission under Sir Arthur Tyndall, appointed in 1965, has recommended far-reaching changes to improve industrial training and give better opportunity for able young New Zealanders to become highly skilled. These recommendations will be vigorously implemented by a National Government.  2. Workers' Compensation: The National Government has an excellent record of progressive improvement in the field of workers compensation. However, some major advances appear to have been lade in recent years in other countries and a Royal Commission has been set up to examine these and recommend such changes as it considers suitable for New Zealand conditions. The National Government will give urgent consideration to the commission’s report which is expected to be completed in 1967.  3. Annual Holidays: The National Government has been studying the present law and practice relating to the provision of and payment for holidays, both annual and statutory. The trend in New Zealand as in other countries has been toward an extension of holidays and toward more liberal holiday payments. We have considered whether the time has come for further liberalisation in New Zealand and have considered that with very high levels of demand both for labour and for the goods and services requiring labour and the need to hold costs, any general move in this direction would be inappropriate at the present time. The National Government will keep the situation under constant review and consider further liberalisation as soon as there has been a sufficient reduction in the pressures on our labour resources.  4. With the continued rapid development of New Zealand and the need for maximum productive effort, it is important that all willing to work should be profitably employed it practicable. Proposals to facilitate engagement in part-time employment for those who have retired from regular work, and the re-employment of married women desirous of returning to work when their family responsibilities have been reduced, are under active consideration by the National Government.  5. Immigration: The average net annual gain from immigration during the past four years has been 19,000 as measured by the surplus of permanent immigrants over permanent emigrants. The administration of the National Government's immigration policy will be sufficiently flexible 100 provide for changing requirements, so that immigration levels are related to the number of our own young people reaching working age, thus ensuring adequate job opportunities for them. In the immediate future, the problem appears to be one of securing sufficient suitable assisted immigrants and the Government will redouble its efforts to get more and help bridge the gap in some sectors of the economy between job vacancies and available workers. The system whereby employers sponsor selected immigrants with desired skills will be continued, thus assuring both accommodation and employment for those workers and at the same time providing an indicator of the demand in industry for particular classes of immigrants.  20. State services. Basic policy.  1. The national government acknowledges the important contribution of the state services and of state servants to meeting the challenges op the present age, with its administrative and technical problems in government due to the developmental and social programmes of a rapidly growing economy. The national government is confident it will continue to find state service personnel able and willing to make an even more valuable contribution to the nation's progress than in the past.  2. The national government affirms that New Zealanders wish to retain and develop a modern democratic society with the greatest measure of personal liberty supported by competent government. To this end the elected government needs the support of a hardworking loyal and efficient public service. Such a modern public service must be impartially selected, administratively competent, politically neutral and imbued with a spirit of service to the community. The national government recognises the principle of a career service that provides loyalty to the democratically elected party in power.  3. The national government appointed the royal commission on the state services, embodied its main recommendations in the state services act 19623 and in doing so laid the foundations for further advances in its continuing drive towards even more efficient administration. The national government has implemented, with courage and imagination, policies designed to ensure that programmes of administrative reform, training and managerial advisory services are available to meet the far-reaching changes in this age of technology. At the same time, under a national government, the state services have become more conscious of the duties and responsibilities to the people of New Zealand and have attained an enhanced sense of their obligations to the community.  Details:  1. Because the National Government is seeking to achieve a higher degree of competence in all phases of State Service activities, and because efficiency with economy is our constant aim, we will ensure that the State Services Commission continues with its programme of developing management advisory services and training to maintain and improve efficiency in all Departments of State.  2. The National Government has given a new deal to State servants as a result of the Ruling Rates Survey procedure. The conditions of pay and appeal and other rights have been fully safeguarded in the provisions of the State Services Act 1962. The National Government will continue to ensure that wages and salaries throughout the State Services will be fair and comparable with those paid for similar work in private employment; where surveys disclose that levels of wages and salaries have fallen behind, increases will be applied retrospectively to ensure fair relativity.  3. So that the margins for skill and responsibility in the higher ranks of the State Services will be adequate, we will continue to give prompt consideration to any recommendations of the Advisor Committee on Higher Salaries.  4. The National Government will continue to have a Cabinet Committee on Government Administration to co-ordinate the administrative and personnel policies of the various State organisations and assure the representatives of the State Services adequate access to, and consultation with, Government.  5. The National Government, believing that the community has a right to the fullest understanding of the operation of government and of government departments, has directed that each department must develop plans for a comprehensive public relations programme explaining the scope and extent of its operations.  21. Transport. Basic policy.  1. By progressive revisions of transport legislation, the national government has created the conditions for economical, efficient and safer transport, both public and private, and will continue to transport administration to the changing needs of the developing economy.  2. The national government will treat public safety on tie roads as all-important and there will be a continuing vigorous drive for road safety.  3. A major building and replacement programme has been a feature of the national governments railways administration and further modernisation of the railways system, which remains the backbone of the nation’s transport, will have high priority in transport development.  4. The national government will endeavour, through research into particular transport fields and study of overseas trends in transport; to encourage reduced costs in transport through the introduction of improved transport facilities. The government has already given greater opportunities for new operators in the transport industry and will strive to maintain these conditions.  Details:  1. The Transport Act of 1962, passed by the National Government, embodied the most progressive thinking in transport administration and was designed particularly to make road transport in New Zealand as safe and efficient as possible. This legislation helped to create better conditions in the transport industry. Following a Select Committee's report in 1966, legislation was passed introducing several innovations in transport safety requirements which are expected to reduce road accidents. Further developments in hand or contemplated include.  (a) Increased road safely measures with more safety publicity, more school instructional staff and more road patrols with better radio and other equipment. The safety promotion staff has been almost doubled in recent years. To encourage more efficient traffic control, the National Government has offered to provide traffic control services for the few localities still controlling their own traffic.  (b) A factual survey of the industry has been published and the resultant bulletin is being revised for a new issue shortly. Another publication, "Freight Handling", has been produced as a practical guide to cost-saving techniques, and a further booklet. War and Truck Operating Costs" has been offered free to vehicle owners as another aid to reducing operating costs. These booklets are proving popular with operators and an extension of this work will be considered,  (c) The comprehensive standard driving test for new applicants for driving licences hap been a progressive move and will be continued. We will also extend the driver improvement school system.  (d) A central register has been established of drivers convicted of accident promotion offences with a view to compiling evidence of multiple offences and enabling the Courts to cancel the driving licences of motorists whose frequent dangerous driving has imperilled the lives of other road users.  (e) The experimental use of plain car traffic patrols has already reduced the number of accidents and is continuing. Further assessments of the results will be continued over a period.  6. We regard the improvement to roads and bridge with particular emphasis on safety construction, as an important aspect of the country’s development. The National Government set up the full representative Roads Board to administer the construction of high-ways and the result has been a spectacular improvement in the standard of roads and bridges. The National Government will continue to give full support to the Board's work.  7. Railways: The efficiency of the railways remains a key factor in Overall transport economy. The National Government negotiated a loan of ₤15 million from the World Bank, spread over five years, to provide the overseas funds content of a large replacement and expansion programme of diesel locomotives and wagons. Designs are at an advanced stage for two now North Island all-steel passenger expresses. In addition to further modernisation - by 1970 all rail traction will be either diesel or electric - every effort will be made to ensure that the railways system will be able to secure an economic volume of goods and passenger traffic while allowing for the sound progress of the road transport industry.  8. The National Government, followed up the outstanding success of the first rail-sea link between Wellington and Picton by taking urgent steps to double the capacity of the service, and the volume of business offering for the two vessels has justified the Government's foresight. The Government has decided that when the results of the two-ship operation show the need, a third ship will be ordered.  9. Shipping and Ports. We regard the efficient transport of goods to and from New Zealand and through our ports as of primary economic importance. The National Government has appointed a Transport Commission for three years to inquire into the movement of goods at ports and to advise on the development of ports which will best meet the demand for their very vital facilities. The Commissions advice on the adequacy of existing ports and their associated internal transport will be considered from time to time.  Research and Bursaries: Considerable research into road and rail transport and coastal shipping will be undertaken for the Transport Commission during its investigations into the carriage of goods in New Zealand to and from ports. Bursaries will be offered by the Transport Department for study of traffic and automotive engineering as well as overseas postgraduate studies in traffic engineering.  22. Civil aviation. Basic policy.  1. The national government regards the economic development of new Zealand’s air communications as essential to the future well-being of the nation. It will therefore continue to provide for the orderly and economic development of civil aviation as provided for in the civil aviation act.  2. New Zealand is in the middle of a spectacular development of its air services, which has included the establishment of an exclusively New Zealand-owned overseas airline, the conversion of the line to latest pure jet services operating trans-Tasman and trans-Pacific and the rapid growth of domestic air services operating from and improved airports. The national government will ensure that air travel and cargo facilities are encouraged to keep pace with the development of the nation.  3. Steps mill be taken to purchase jet aeroplanes for national airways corporation to operate on trunk routes which will best meet the national interest in coping with the rapidly rising demand for air travel between the metropolitan airports.  4. The development programme for secondary route airports will be continued. 15 enlarged or newly developed airports have been opened in New Zealand since 1961.  Details:  5 In furtherance of this policy, the following specific objectives of the National Government will be continued :  (a) Consultation and negotiation with other Governments to provide for the economic expansion of AIR NEW ZEALAND as a contributor to tourism and overseas exchange earnings.  (b) Planning and construction of the permanent terminal building at Auckland international airport.  (c) Orderly development of aerodromes and installation of navigational aids, with attention to the problems of airport administration.  (d) Close collaboration with local bodies in the planning and management of jointly financed aerodromes.  (e) Re-equipment of the national airlines so as to best suit the economy and the needs of our people.  6. The National Government will continue to give close attention to the needs of agricultural aviation as a materiel contributor to the increased farm production.  7. The National Government will explore the possibilities of further extending the use of airfreight as an economic means of transport. We will give continue to assess overseas developments in this field.  8. We will examine the means by which aviation can help the Island Territories, especially the Chathams.  23. Radio-TV communications. Basic policy.  1. The national government has given new emphasis to communications as a vital element in efficient national development. Within New Zealand, the extension of modern telecommunication systems and the rapid coverage of the country with television services have been a feature of our administration. The national government has also taken steps to improve means of communication with other countries, including jet aeroplane services, believing that New Zealand’s outreach to new trading relationships and its increasing influence in world affairs, demand the quickest and most efficient contacts to neutralise our geographic isolation.  2. The national government will continue this progressive policy. It has plans for new developments in telecommunications, communication through satellites and extended television services. An independent authority will be appointed for licensing radio and television stations and supervising programme standards.  Details. Radio and television:  1. The National Government removed radio and television from direct political control. This policy will be continued. The number of members of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation has been increased because of the growth of its activities and, in addition, widely representative voluntary Regional Advisory Committees have been set up by the Corporation to keep it in close touch with opinion throughout New Zealand.  2. The National Government will assist the Corporation to complete its programme for expanding television services to give complete technical coverage as soon as possible, so that people in most areas of New Zealand will have good television reception in the near future. Good radio coverage of almost all areas will be attained at an early date.  3. The licensing Authority to be appointed will determine from time to time the need for, and the licensing of, additional television channels and radio stations. The Authority would be required to provide the NZBC immediately with warrants for the stations and services operated by it, including the advertising hours in force when the new Authority is appointed together with stations and services and advertising hours certified by the Corporation and confirmed by the minister of Broadcasting as part of the Corporation's programme for providing basic nation-wide coverages. The NZBC and private enterprise will have equal rights to apply to the Authority for further warrants. In considering applications, the authority will be required to take into account the desirability of the proposed additional Services or stations in the national interest, including the possible effects on the maintenance of the basic nation-wide coverage and cultural activities of the NZBC.  4. The authority will be empowered to supervise the programme standards of all stations and lay down rules governing the types of permitted advertisements.  5. The Authority, in exercise of its functions and powers under the Act, will be required to comply with the general policy of the Government and also with any general or special directions given in writing by the Minister pursuant to that policy.  Telecommunications.  1. The Government aims to give New Zealanders the benefits of the spectacular technical advances during recent years in personal and official communication. In particular, the following developments will be aimed for:  (a) Continued streamlining of postal Services, including the construction and planning of Postal Centres at Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, and mechanisation of the handling of mails.  (b) Provision of telephone service on demand by installing up to 35,000 new telephones per annum and replacing manual exchanges with automatic equipment as rapidly as possible, thereby attaining a 24-hour Service in all areas with a no-delay toll System.  (c) Provision of additional telephone circuits in rural areas to reduce the numbers on party lines.  (d) Extension of telephone service of free automatic calling over wide metropolitan areas.  (e) Introduction of more special flat-rate telephone zones in other main centres for free calling for distances up to 30 miles and ultimately benefiting 300,000 subscribers; and also the provision of flat rate free-calling zones between rural exchanges and nearby centres - the ultimate aim being amalgamation of exchanges into 80 free-calling areas.  (f) Further developments in automatic exchange facilities for Telex system subscribers so that the increasing demand can be met for teleprinter services between subscribing businesses, and other organisations both within New Zealand and abroad.  (g) Expansion of the mobile telephone service to meet the growing needs of industry and commerce estimated at over 2,000 more each year; this service has been rapidly expanded under the National Government to cover 2,000 subscribers operating through 46 base radio stations.  (h) Speedier and more efficient telegraph services by teleprinters, the latter being now operative in 164 Post Offices.  (i) Extension of the Pacific telephone-cable service to South-East Asia and the Far East in partnership with other Commonwealth countries to assist in further meeting the demands of New Zealanders for more external communication.  9. Plans are being developed for experimenting with a major technological advance in the form of electronic telephone exchanges. A trial exchange based on British equipment will be established at Paekakariki within three years. If successful, this move will herald a new era in telephone efficiency - featuring reduced maintenance costs, greater reliability, less accommodation and lower power consumption.  Satellite communications.  10. The National Government will keep abreast of developments in satellite communications so that New Zealand may obtain the benefits of this form of communication as soon as practicable. To this end, a Post Office engineer will continue to be attached to the British research team experimenting with "Telstar".  11. New Zealand has joined an ₤80 million consortium of 48 partner countries for the development of global communications using satellites. The National Government will ensure that this country takes full advantage of this spectacular development as we extend our contacts and overseas trade into a wider range of nations.  24. Tourism. Basic policy.  1. The national government will continue to assist in the full development of the tourist industry because of its great potential for earning overseas funds and its value in fostering international goodwill and understanding as well as the opportunity it gives for new enterprise to provide for the recreational needs of New Zealanders. The target for overseas exchange prom tourist and travel earnings has been progressively raised and a figure of £20m. is aimed for by 1969.  2. The stimulus of the national government’s drive for a realistic appreciation of the economic potential of tourism has encouraged the tourist industry to achieve remarkable progress in recent years. A new era is imminent in the tourist trade in New Zealand. This has been facilitated by the inauguration of a New Zealand owned jet air service connecting this country with the world’s main travel routes, by the incentives given private enterprise to build world class tourist hotels and motels, and by the enthusiasm of private enterprise-travel and hotel organisations in capitalising on the favourable prospects promoted by the national government.  3. In furtherance of the incentives already given to promote a greater flow of tourists, we will introduce a tourist facilities development scheme of financial aid to encourage private enterprise to provide better recreation and other facilities at the principal tourist centres and to enable local authorities and other organisations to provide essential tourist facilities which could not otherwise be financed.  Details:  1. The National Government will continue to encourage the development of those amenities desired by our own people travelling within New Zealand for health, holiday, or business reasons, because it believes the best foundation on which to build a lucrative overseas tourist trade is a well-balanced domestic system of recreation and holiday facilities.  2. Under the stimulus given by the National Government there have been big increases in numbers of rooms available and steady improvements in the general standard of accumulation in both the private enterprise and the Tourist Hotel Corporation sectors of the industry. The National Government has broken new ground with its Tourist Accommodation Development Scheme. This provides loans and guarantees to private enterprise in building more accommodation which is a prime requirement for increased tourism. £7 million has been provided for this purpose for both hotels and motels in places where the tourist trade will be best helped, and 2,273 beds resulted from the Scheme. Funds will continue to be made available for suitable new projects and the scheme will be continued as long as necessary.  3. The National Government has given a lead by providing extra accommodation -through the Tourist Hotel, Corporation which is up to world class and is a considerable inducement to overseas tourists to extend their travel in New Zealand. Three entirely new hotels have been built at Wanaka, Franz Josef and Waitangi at a cost of £1.2 million and accommodation at other Tourist Hotel Corporation hotels has been upgraded and extended. The National Government will continue this policy of providing accommodation through the Corporation at key tourist resorts where appropriate accommodation would not otherwise be available.  4. Zealand's own international airline is giving a tremendous boost to the development of the tourist industry and the country generally. The National Government has already established an international airport at Mangere, opened Harewood as an overseas terminal and completed a £10.8 million re-equipment programme for Air New Zealand together with a further £2 million for servicing facilities. International arrangements have been completed for new routes to Singapore, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. The National government will continue this policy of promoting the expansion of Air New Zealand.  5. To encourage the further development of resort areas and to ensure the provision of adequate facilities at tourist centres, a new scheme of financial aid will be introduced along the lines of the Tourist Accommodation Development Scheme. The Tourist Facilities Development Scheme will provide for loans and guarantees to private investors, local bodies or other organisations for better facilities, other than accommodation. Applicants will be required to provide a substantial amount of equity capital. The kind of amenities envisaged include improved roads and paths to scenic attractions, landscape and waterfront development, toilets at main stopping points on tourist routes, launches, building of jetties or launching ramps, hot springs and swimming pool development, and aerial cableways to snowfields and panoramic viewpoints.  6. We will continue to enlist the cooperation of private enterprise and voluntary travel and tourist associations in furthering the interests of the tourist trade.  7. The National Government has made spectacular progress in reforming the licensing legislation to help create favourable conditions for tourist accommodation, meal service, entertainment and other travel facilities at airports and elsewhere.  8. The National Government will continue to be associated with the hotel industry in a scheme under which selected hotel management personnel specialised training art experience will be sent abroad for specialised training and experience.  25. Nature conservation. Basic policy.  1. The national government asserts that the natural assets of New Zealand - the mountains, lakes, forests and bush are a priceless heritage; that they contribute to the well-being and happiness of our people; and that they are a source of great potential wealth from overseas tourism.  2. The national government will continue to aim at the maximum conservation of the scenic arks and natural attractions of New Zealand, when assessing proposals to change scenic areas in the course of economic progress.  Details:  3. The National Government will endeavour to protect the country's natural assets by insisting on cooperation between Departments concerned, by full consideration of the effects of major development schemes, by returning the landscape affected by such schemes as far as possible to its original state or by beautifying it when this is impossible, and by the formation of appropriate specialist committees.  4. Action in support of this policy is being furthered through the following agencies, with appropriate financial and other assistance in some cases:  (a) National Parks Authority,  (b) Nature Conservation Council,  (c) Fauna Protection Advisory Council,  (d) Lake Taupo Reserves Committee, and  (e) Fresh Water Fisheries Advisory Council  In addition, assistance will continue to be given to the loyal Forest and Bird Protection Society and Acclimatisation Societies.  25. Constitutional. Basic policy:  1. The National governments constitutional policy aims at the enlargement of personal liberties and tee further extension of our property-owning democracy. The National government has made marked progress in protecting the rights of citizens by the appointment of the Ombudsman and reviewing unnecessary legislation and restrictive regulations.  2. We firmly uphold the principles of loyalty to the throne and of responsible government by the elected representatives of the people.  Details:  1. The National Government has set up a special Select Committee to make a complete further review of Parliamentary procedures with the object of recommending more improvements in organising the business of Parliament.  2. The Public Expenditure Committee of Parliament, established by the National Government, will continue to examine Government expenditure with a view to substantial economies in Government spending and increased efficiency in Government services.  3. Opportunity will continue to be given for new regulations to be reviewed by the Statutes Revision Committee of Parliament to determine whether Parliament’s attention should be drawn to any of them considered to trespass unduly on personal rights or liberties or which appear to make some unusual or unexpected use of the powers conferred by a Statute.  4. The policy of the National Government is to extend the opportunities for citizens to obtain a review of acts or decisions of officials affecting their interests. Accordingly, we will extend the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to administrative acts or decisions by officials of authorities which draw the bulk of their funds from money appropriated by Parliament. This extension will apply particular to Hospital and Education Boards. We will consult other local authorities on the desirability of extending the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman to their administrations.  26. Law and order. Basic policy.  1. The national government affirms that the foundation of its policy is the maintenance of the rule of law. It upholds the principle that all citizens are equal before the law and equally subject to the law of the land, administered by independent courts, free from interference or direction by the government.  2. Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of a civil police force in which efficiency loyalty and respect for the rights of the individual will be encouraged and supported.  3. we assert that the laws themselves should be clear and certain and that parliament should be vigilant to make such changes as the circumstances require, at the saws time ensuring that traditional rights and privileges are respected.  Details:  1. The National Government has inaugurated and will carry out a policy of positive and vigorous law reform to clarify systematise and improve the body of our law and procedure and bring it into closer line with ' modern conditions and with the needs of the people. With this object, it has set up a law Revision Commission and expert committees to prepare comprehensive programmes for the review of wide areas of the law and to present recommendations to the Government. These recommendations will receive prompt and sympathetic study by the National Government with a view to introducing appropriate legislation.  2. The legislation enacted under the National Government in 1963 providing compensation for victims of crimes of violence has been acclaimed on all sides and has attracted much interest outside New Zealand. Pursuant to its policy of protecting citizens against criminal depredations and as a corollary of it, progressive penal policy, the National Government has extended the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act to property damage done by escapers from penal institutions.  3. The National Government’s policy for dealing with crime has been both enlightened and effective and new experimental measures are proving successful. We intend to provide more pre-release and post-release hostels and increase the number of Probation Officers. Work Centres have been established in Auckland, Hutt City, Christchurch and Invercalgill. Where an offender has been convicted of an offence for which he is liable to imprisonment, the Courts are empowered, instead of sending the offender to prison, to require his attendance at a Work Centre in the evenings or at the weekends. Under this system an offender remains in his job but his leisure time is controlled. This is an imaginative change and gives to the Courts an additional weapon to deal with certain types of offenders, and also with those who fail to pay their fines.  4. The National Government believes that certainty of detection is the most effective deterrent to crime and will take further effective measures to see that the number of police is increased.  5. We are concerned that as far as practicable innocent persons charged with offences should not suffer financial loss in clearing themselves. The National Government has under consideration the question of providing more generous use of the Court's discretion in criminal cases to award costs to accused persons who are acquitted. In particular, costs would not be denied merely because the prosecutor had acted properly in bringing the charge.  6. The National Government proposes to take further steps to reduce, as far as possible, the time spent on remand by accused persons and generally to avoid serious delays in dealing with both criminal and civil cases.  7. The National Government believes that no one should be prevented from seeking redress in the Courts because of lack of means. We have therefore initiated legislation to provide legal aid in needy cases.  8. The National Government will hold a referendum during 1967 of the people of New Zealand on the question of the hours for the sale of liquor in-hotel bars.  27. Local government. Basic policy.  1. The national government recognises that local government is assuming an increasingly important role as our nation develops and believes the relationship between central and local governments as well as between related local bodies themselves, should be harmonious and effective.  2. It is a basic feature of the national government's approach to local government that the respective roles of central and local government should be clearly defined and that their working relationships should be suitably co-ordinated. To this end, a minister for local government has been applied and the national government is examining what administrative changes are necessary to make this appointment fully effective.  Details:  2. The National Government will encourage and support the territorial local authority associations in any steps they may take to secure greater integration of rural and urban interests in the local government sphere. In pursuance of this, an examination has been commenced into the possible replacement of the Municipal Corporations and Counties legislation by a single Act. Work on this project will be continued.  3. The first National Government, in 1952, instituted the payment of grants to local bodies in lieu of rates on Government-owned houses in addition to State rental houses and the properties of Government trading-departments, In 1964 the National Government extended the payment of grants in lieu of rates to a further wide range of Crown properties. The additional revenue accruing to local bodies is estimated to be approximately £1000000 per annum. We will continue and extend this policy.  4. The National Government recognises that the growing financial needs of local authorities are giving rise to problems in securing necessary revenue. Accordingly, when the review of Central Government taxation has been completed by the recently established expert Committee on taxation, the National Government will initiate a further inquiry into methods of raising local authority finance.  5. The National Government has passed legislation to ease the burden on residential ratepayers living in areas zoned for industrial or commercial purposes, and also on farming ratepayers whose properties are situated in similar areas or in areas zoned for residential purposes. The National Government has also undertaken a comprehensive revision of the whole of the rating legislation and has introduced a Bill for this purpose which will be studied by the Local Bills Committee during the 1966-67 Parliamentary Recess. We will continue to keep all aspects of the rating law under review and introduce any further reforms that may be found desirable.  6. The National Government is examining the procedures under the Local Government Commission Act to see if the costs of local government reorganisation can be made less burdensome to the community.  29. Civil defence. Basic policy.  1. The national government is determined that all reasonable precautions should be taken to deal with a disaster or major emergency anywhere in New Zealand.  2. The national government passed the civil defence act, 1962 to provide the basis for a comprehensive organisation to use national and local resources in a disaster or emergency. We have already made considerable progress in co-ordinating the resources of government for assisting local authorities in any major emergency and we will continue to promote measures to maintain an effective civil defence organisation.  Details:  1. The National Government has approved a plan for a national organisation to go into operation immediately a national disaster or emergency occurs.  2. A full-time Director of Civil Defence was appointed in January 1965 and arrangements made for an increased number of local authority civil defence personnel to attend courses at the Australian Civil Defence School from 6 initially to 24 in the current year. We intend to increase the number of training courses in New Zealand to assist local authorities in their training programmes.  3. The National Government has approved a scheme of subsidies to assist local authorities in the financing of their local and district Civil Defence Schemes.