LABOUR'S POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 6

LABOUR'S POLICY.

REPEAL OF LOAN ACT. FEDERAL CAUCUS PROPOSALS. . lig TfllecraDtt—Press Association—Copyright i Melbourne, Juno 21. t. ) The Parliamentary Labour caucus f 1 continues its lengthy sittings. It is j considering the programme for the session. ' (■ ■: It. is understood 1 it has. been decided to repeal tho Naval Loan Act passed last session, , authorising, tho raising .of r ; three and a half million pounds to pay . for tlie new fleet. TJie- qualifying- ages for old ago pensions for men are to be reduced to sixty !. years, and for " women to fifty-live. The caucus approved of a Commoni: wealth ' note issue, and the deuomma- ■ tion of the lowest note has been fixed at one pound. . Mr. Turley has been nominated for the Presidency, and Mr. O'Keefe for the Chairmanship of Committees, in the ' Senate. A SESSION OF FINANCE. ' "WE'VE. GOT TO FIND THE MONEY." J; : . 'In the past, (says tlie Sydney "Herald") '■■v.it hos been fairly easy to foresee to some ." extent'.what would be contained in the :• Governor-General's speech, but the -prct. eent Ministry gives no hint whatsoever [-•■-■ as to what may be expected. Mr. Fisher ■:. is extremely keen .on preserving tho digs' -nity of. office, and he considers it would > ' ibe a distinct breach,of etiquette.on his I'. V (part to disclose/the points of tho speech, ji lt is well known that the'.coming .ses-' " ; eion is to be principally a financial one. I. In- fact, Mr. Fisher himself Volunteered ■ ithat information while-talking to press- .' ' men during a brief- adjournment ot the : . Cabinet. j.. -"The only thing I.can tell you," he ( ' said, "is that the session will bo 'princi- ; : : -pally one of finance. You want an army, .B'navy, aud goodness knows what-not; !:-• .and we've, got to find tho money for it." "And how do' you propose to do it?"' iwas asked. - . ' ' "Now, that's what.l cant tell you yet," v ■ replied the Prune Minister. "It. will be-f':--.'-.«iade perfectly plain in Lord Dudley's I T. Fpeeeh.' As sure as ; the session is to be. made ['■ .> financial one, tjie first important. Bill - ito'be brought forward will, be 41 measure ['. . ' dealing with the land tas, a policy the Government is pledged to. It was hoped • - that-'lhe Ministry would be content to - ' use tho tax as a means of breaking up' big estates, but from what ca;n be gather- : «i in political circles urban land will -be brought under the scope of tie Act, 'as tho Government want to get as 'much jnonev as they can, and the more" they y v get from the capitalist the better ; the ' anions and- the. leagues will be pleased— i- and the inoro safe they are making thoir ( 'retention of office. ; . ' Another financial matter that will have ' . .early attention from Parliament will "be y ' the legislation making the Commonwealth ;■ . paper currency legal. This is Mr.- ■.;'. Fisher's pet scheme, and until it becomes v,' - : law' he. will not be content. There was i. 'leome talk soon after the present GovernL f l-inent came - into power of it taking up lthe question of a national bank, early ' I this Such, however, is not likely | j Ho bo' the case. The most important finaji- ; , jcial question is, of oourse, tho diiitribuf. f fion of the, surplus Customs revenue ! . i nmbng the Mr. Fisher, if he can ; . Ihave his way, will pay the States 255. yl iper head of population for tlie next ten j 'years. Among other matters which may

very well 1m expected to receive nttenL : tioii are the nciv protection, the defence policy,, the amendment of the Arbitration Act, and several other planks of t ■ the T .!r platform.