LABOUR IN OFFICE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1276, 3 November 1911, Page 5

LABOUR IN OFFICE.

WEST AUSTRALIAN PROGRAMME'. By Telegraph—l're.ii Association—Copyright Perth, November 2. Tho Western Australian Parliament was opened to-day. Tho Governor's Speech referred to tho fact that a Labour Government had been elected at a record poll. It stated that the construction of several railways to develop agricultural resources was under consideration. Special attention would be given to bona fnlo land settlement.

Tho Speech also foreshadowed Bills empowering tho Government to make advances to people desiring to build homes, altering the constitution of the Public Servioo Appeal Board, and enabling the day of tho weekly half-holiday to be dotermined by the electors.

It is proposed to rcdiico the salaries of Ministers and certain Parliamentary officials, and to establish a Court of Criminal Appeal.

A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY. LIMITATION OF BORROWING. The West Australian State Labour platform provides for the non-alienation of lands, with a view to nationalisation, and this was one of the main issues of tho elections. Tho system outlined provides remission of rents in tho first three years and lxappraiscment every twenty years, thus creating u privileged class of existing freeholders and another class of leaseholders, with security for only a specified period. The Labour party also propose a tax on all unimproved lands. The land settlement policy is to be continued, with insistence on personal residence. The immigration policy of tho new administration is vague, but responsible union officials are opposed to the encouragement of any iramigraiits not possessed of capital, aud altogether opposed to the importation of artisans.

The Labour party say they are in favour of a policy of opening up tho country by means of light railways, but the platform is opposed to loan expenditure, except for reproductive works, paying interest and sinking fund. Mr. Scadden, in his election "pecehes, said the platform means expenditure of loan money ou works which would pay for themselves dunng their life, though not immediately revenue-producing. It is proposed to aljoli.sh contracting, and have all railways and other public works constructed Departmentally. State flour mills and a Stato export and produce Department, on the lines of the Department in South Australia dealing with lambs, fruit, aud other produce, aro to bo instituted. Homes for tho people in tho city and country are to be provided by the extension oftho functions of the agricultural hank, pending the establishment of a Stato bank. The Arbitration Court Act, as opposed to tho Wages Board suggested by the Wilson Government: is to be retained, with amendments providing for no appeal, and the simplitying of procedure. The Labour party are pledged to the repeal of the Licensing Act passed last session and nationalisation.

Provision is to be made for free education, primary, secondary, and university, tho reform of the Civil Service, with the provision of a superannuation fund, and the reform of the Education. Railway, and Polico Departments. An increase of Is. a day asked for by the railway employeec. and to which the Labour party is virtually pledged, will mean an increased expenditure of .£100.000; and schol teachers, police, and other branches of the Public Service have been led to expect advances. Labour proposals foreshadow an increase in tho general expenditure and tho restriction of the lom expenditure. Tbs means of raising revenue aro most vague. The exemption under tho income Kix will probably bo raised, and the inference is that the land tax which Mr. Wilson proposed to abolish will bo the main source of revenue. Tho policy proposed to be adopted ill regard to tho north-west covers the establishment of freezing works, the proper stocking of pastoral leases, and the running of a Stiite-owncd steamer to tho norlh-\. ports.

A slight irritation in the throat niav lead to a hacking cough. Zymole Trokeys stop it; they soothe the irritation and strengthen the throat.—Advt. 14