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Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1929, Page 4

j The Federal Prime Minister, Mr Bruce, ! has opened the campaign for the general election in the Commonwealth, following the success of the adverse motion on . the policy of the BrucePage Government regarding the abolition of Federal arbitration. Mr Bruce has naturally supported the policy with courage and vigour, believing it to be in the interests of the Federation as a whole. The Australian Commonwealth must lie well nigh distraught with industrial disputes, and it is wonderful how the country holds on its way as well as it does when production is disrupted so often by these Labour disputes. It is Mr Bruce’s plan and proposal to grapple firmly and definitely with those causing the trouble, in the hope of imposing industrial peace on the country. How far the Federal Arbitration Court is responsible for the troubles which have fallen on Australia is not clear, but Mr Bruce made it plain that only a comparatively few Federal awards were in force in relation to tli'e number of separate state awards. He and the Government believe that this conflict in authority is in need of removal. That is the first plank to be determined in the present election, which despite the Bize of Australia, is to be decided in a month’s time. Mr Bruce in his open’ng speech in his Own electorate on Wednesday night, made a special plea to the workers for their support. He emphasised the fact that lie did not desire the cutting down of wages, and that was not the objective of the repeal of the arbitration law on behalf of the Federation. What was desired was the cutting down of the cost of living, so that with the.present rate of wages, the workers would enjoy the happier state •of living which it was desirable they should have. He recognised .that a' reduction of wages would so affect seriously production in various avenues of industry, and there would he a conflict and a result more serious than that existing at present. The wageearner was a ready spender, and a con-“ stant patron in the purchase of production. If his spending power was reduced, the obvious result would be a loss of trade, and the consequent crea-' tion of more unemployment. Mr Bruce was an advocate of good wages and good will as between the employer and employed. He considered that the best means of overcoming their industrial difficulties. He looked oil private bargaining as the happiest and quickest way to reach the best working conditions between master and man, and lie believed the abandonment of the artificial means by arbitration would prove the best for the common weal. Mr Bruce’s address was well received and his candidature was heartily supported by his leading senators. His campaign has therefore opened well,' and the result f will be awaited with interest.