POLICY SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1932, Page 5

POLICY SPEECH

N.S.W. PREMIER

NEW LTATES FAVOURED

(Avsiialian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, May 25.

The Premier, Mr .Stevens, to-night at Lroydoii, delivered the Government’s policy speech, which policy was endorsed oy t.ie Country Baity Leader, Mr Bruxncr, from Llie s.mio nl:ii.form. Mr Stevens warned the electors that the return of Mr Lang’s regime would bring Australian face to face with ch)i war, and taut it would hieak' tip the Federal Union. He said he war, of the opinion tn.it the country had had enough of that lehellious administration. Already, lie said, peace and harmony had been restored in industry and private life. The fullest encouragement was being given to private enterprise. Trade restrictions were being removed in order that as many people as possible could be re-absorbed into employment. Mr Stevens said that his Government pledged itself' to honour and faithfully carry out the Premiers’ Plan, and to work with the Commonwealth and the other States as united Australians, instead of wrangling units. No effort would be spared to inject thc- financial drift, and to restore public confidence. Mt Stevens stated that the floating debt of the State of New South Wales had risen to thirty-one millions, for which scarcely .a penny’s worth of assets could be shown. This drift had been continuing at the rate of ten milliens per annum thanks to the bankrupt policy of Langism. He said that relief works would bo provided as speedily as possible in order to got men into work and off the dole. Financial aid was already assured for this, and for development and reproductive works.

No attempt lie said, would be made to interfere with the basic wage or the working hours, which matters would be left entirely to the Arbitration Courts. Tin Government would also continue the present social services intact.

The Premier said that the legitimate trade unionists would be recognised and encouraged. Despotic unionism would be curbed, as would all seditious organisations.

Mr- Stevens announced that the Legislative Council would be reconstructed reducing its membership, and making it truly deliberate and representative of all sections of the community and a proper house review.

Mr Stevens stated his Government was prepared to join the Federal Government in making an approach to the oversea money market for the conversion of all the debts of Australia at lower rates of interest.

Referring to the question of the creation of new States in New South Wales, Mr Stevens said that the Government were convinced that the only effective way to prevent a , repetition of the destructive government which had disgraced the Lang regime was the subdivision of this State, by an amplification of machinery that already was in existence lor the creation of new units. This task, ho added, would be undertaken as soon as possible.

91 GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES

SYDNEY, May 25.

Of the N.S.W. Assembly nominations, the United Australia Party has 57 candidates, and the Country Party 34 candidates in the field, hut there are also a number of unattached canidates, who support the Government’s policy at present described as unity candidates. Air Lang’s Party nominees number 7G. The Federal Labour Party hae nominated 37 candidates. The remainder of the candiadtes are either independents or Communists. • Air Lang has four opponents. Air Stevens, the Premier, has one opponent, who is a Lang candidate.