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 The Liberal Party adopted a policy which included:—


 * The stoppage of “dummyism” in land sales.
 * No more borrowing.
 * Self-reliance.
 * Thorough retrenchment.
 * The prevention of the acquisition of land in large holdings.
 * The resumption by the State of land urgently required for settlement, and vigorous settlement of the land.
 * The discouragement of absentee landlordism and of speculative land purchasers.
 * Better treatment of workers in factories.
 * The use of railways to develop the agricultural and pastoral industries rather than as a means of imposing taxation.
 * The establishment of scholarships from the primary schools to secondary schools and to the mining and agricultural schools.
 * The establishment of technical schools.
 * Reform of the Legislative Council.
 * Measures to improve the condition of the workers.
 * The repeal of the property tax and the introduction of a land and income tax.

The Conservative Party’s manifesto included:—
 * Strict, but not parsimonious, economy, combined with cheerfulness and a firm belief in the unbounded resources of the colony.
 * Further borrowing within the colony.
 * The purchase of Maori lands.
 * Retention of the property tax.
 * Non-interference by the Government or Parliament with industrial disputes.

Trades and Labour Councils rallied round the Liberal leaders, echoed their war-cries, and issued manifestoes broadcast. For the first time, they selected labour candidates and gave them block votes.