AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1925, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

AIR BRICE’S POLICY SPEECH. [Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 8 n.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 6. Mr Bruce (Federal Premier) delivered a policy .speech tit Dandenong. He said:—‘‘The present time is critical for Australia. The country is at the turning point in her national history. and on the eve ol the greatest opportunity ever offered to a people. The ideal of the Government’s policy is to have a united people with national vision, knowing no distinction be-

tween town and country, employer and employed. The Government is determined to defeat the nefarious plans of the extremists in our midst, anti armed with the mandate of the people it will take all necessary steps to accomplish this end. Although, under the constitution there is the King's Fence of the Commonwealth, which co-exists with the King's peace in each of the States, to date there has been little need for the Commonwealth to take action for its preservation. The time has now arrived, when the Commonwealth Parliament should exercise its (towers to pass effective legislation to deal with offences against the peace of the Commonwealth, including action again-t persons who are actively engaged in propaganda to overthrow the constitution.” DEFENCE. Referring to defence. Air Bruce said Australia would support every practical effort made by the League of Nations to guarantee the world’s peace and bring about disarmament; hut, until this was brought about the Government stood for the greatest measure of defence compatible with tho man power and financial resources of the nation.

Air Bruce then outlined the naval programme already announced and in addition, the army programme, which contemplates the provision of five infantry divsions and two cavalry divisions with necessary munitions and equipment. The air force would also I K > substantially expanded. EMPIRE POLICY.

Referring to relations with England the Premier said: “The Government, stands whole-heartedly for the maintenance of (lie British Empire. It only asks one thing, and that is. to ho treated ns a partner, and not as an appendage to the Empire.” (STANDARD OF LIVING.

Dealing with the domestic policy, Mr Brine stated the Government was determined to provide the people with a standard of living, which would give the workers reasonable comfort and happiness; hut. these things could not be accomplished unless there was industrial peace. Unfortunately, there were in Australia, men striving to foment industrial strife, class war and direct action. The influence of these men must lie ruthlessly destioved. AY OR KING HOURS. Dealing with the question of working hours, Air Bruce said : —“The Government desires a. solution on a fair basis to the workers, hut considers hours should he uniform throughout Iho Commonwealth. Tt. therefore, proposes to suggest that this question should he submitted to the Commonwealth and the State Arbitration Court judges, with a view to their making a recommendation for uniform houi’3for the Commonwealth, which should be considered by a conference of representatives of the, Commonwealth and State Governments." CHILD ENDOWMENT AND INSURANCE. “Tin- question of child endowment is also a national one,” said the Premier, “ami the Government proposes to refer it to the Commonwealth and State Arbitration Court Judges, with a. view to a similar policy being evolved. Tho Government, will also introduce legislation for a national scheme of social 111 iiraiice. covering questions of old age. invalidity and unemployment.” HOUSING.

The Government will introduce a measure for the purpose of utilising the machinery of the Commonwealth Bank for giving assistance, lint only to manual workers, hut to the people of small means, to acquire their own homes nit a basis of repayment extending over a long period of years. INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES. "The Government- stands (irmly for the principle of the peaceful .settlement of industrial disputes hy arbitration and will legislate restoring to the trade unionist control over his onion. its officials and its funds, hy means of the provision of the secret ballot. Democratic control of unionism will ho restored to the workers. The powers of the Arbitration Court will also ho strengthened hy means of legislation providing judicial apoiutments for life, the vesting of the court with judicial power to enforce its awards and tho lietter control of the parties under its jurisdiction. I'rovision ’.will also he made to prevent overlapping by tho Commonwealth and State Industrial authorities.” TRANSPORT. Dealing with the question of transport. the Premier said : “The Government proposes to hold a further conference of the States with a view to arriving at a scheme for the provision of a uniform railway gauge.” Outlining the Government’s policy for national mail', development. Mr Bruce sa'id ’the (bnvrnmcnt would make available twenty millions sterling -pread over ten years, for the development of roads. This would lx? de-

rived from a tax on motor users. Tea Government would also call a conference of the States and Commonwealth with a view to laying down a national policy for the development and control of the ports and harbours of Australia. THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE. Mr Rruce concluded: “The Paramount issue of the present campaign is the maintenance of law and order and the supremacy of constitutional Government over the efforts of the w reckers w ho would plunge the country into chaos, misery and class war.”