FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1943, Page 4

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

OPPOSITION PARTIES Issue Policy Statement LAusr. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J (Rec. 7.50) SYDNEY, May 31. The election policy of the combined United Australia Party and United Country Party, which form the Opposition in the Australian Federal Parliament, has been announced by the Opposition Leader, Mr Fadden. He summarised the Opposition policy under four brief headings as “Victory, Liberty, Security and Prosperity.” He has issued a lengthy eigh-teen-point statement. Mr Fadden included in this statement that the two Opposition parties stood for “a policy that will ensure work for all who are physically fit, and that will 'impose an obligation on them to work.”

He added: “We see Australia’s future in freedom and belief, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of individual initiative and enterprise.”

Other points of their policy, he said, were: One Australasian army in war; the maintenance of strong permanent defence forces, and preference for ex-service personnel after the war.

Other points, of the policy promised are: Taxation reform on the “pay. as you go” principle, and a review of the effect of taxation upon persons with family responsibilities. The preservation of private enterprise and of individual initiative is stressed as an essential basis foi' a progressive post-war world. The programme states, however, that the Opposition parties also advocate the control of prices and the prevention of exploitation. The Government should create a finance organisation with adequate resources to assist industry in its readjustment from war activity to peace time production.

Suitable immigration, under Government direction and assistance,' is regarded as being necessary for an increase in the population, which increase is seen as a vital factor in Australia’s future. The statement outlines "a comprehensive policy of social security, to give freedom from want, and ensuring means of securing adequate food, clothing and housing.”