FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1931, Page 6

FEDERAL POLITICS

FIRST POLICY 'SPEECH. MAIN FEATURES, OUTLINED. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY- December 1. The first policy speech in connection with the Federal election campaign was delivered to-night at Grafton by Dr Earle Page, leader of the United Country Party. _ The main features of the policy were the sub-division of unwieldy states, the immediate revision of prohibitive tariff duties affecting primary producers, and the introduction or strengthening of legislation for the deportation of Communists and alien enemies. Dr Page declared that the popular feeling in the country was that the Communists should be removed < from public life. His party desired that the Federal' Arbitration Court should deal solely with minimum- wages and maximum hours, leaving all other industrial problems to local conciliation boards. Industry should be unfettered as far as possible, and free use should be made of the secret ballot. The Party would resist any attempt .at financial reform, except along orthodox lines. Trade treaties with foreign countries, which could buy Australian goods on .. most favoured national principle, would be advocated, as would export control boards for such ' primary industries as wanted them. MR BRUCE’S MESSAGE. (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) - LONDON, November 30. “I learn with great appreciation that there is no intention on the part.of the Country Party to oppose me at Flinders,” says Mr S. Bruce. “I had great difficulty in believing any such intention, but messages reaching London appeared so authoritative that there was no option but to believe it.” NO AGREEMENT REACHED. SYDNEY, Deoemffier 1. The State Cabinet adjourned late last night without reaching an agreement regarding the bank merger which ,is expected to he finalised to-day.