Australian

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1917, Page 3

Australian

Pisa Press Association.— Coptexohi FEDERAL POLITICS. Policy Speech by Mr Hughes. March 28, at 10.20 a.m.) Melbourne, March 28 When delivering a policy speech at Bendigo, Mr Hughes said the Aozac yote on the conscription Referendum was 72.000 for and 58,000 against, Government were forced to the country by tho bitter, teckless hostility of the Senate. If returned, Government would not force conscription ou the people, but if thß National safety demands it, the question would again be referred to the people. Referring to the wheat pool, he said fco date they had bought 6,100,000 tons. Of this 2,014,000 tons had been sout Oversea and 3,185,000 soldi but not yet shipped. The Government, had extended ft guarantee of 3/ per bushel to farmers for the 1918 10 crop. The repatriation scheme involved an expenditure of thirty-two million, tweafcy-two millions of wnich they proposed to raise by lnans and the remainder by a tax on incomes, spread over a series of years. The same facilities for laud settlement would tje given to British as Australian soldiers. They intended following the example of Britain in legard to the im-

pirtation of luxuries and give effect to the policy to enable them to keep the wealth of the country within the country and Empire. He concluded that many opponents were openly hostile to Britain and were clamouring for a premature peace caring nothing but for their own selfish narrow interests. No Tote. Melbourne, March 28

The Victorian Government have decided not to introduce the total:sator.