CONTROL OF INDUSTRIES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4309, 26 August 1921, Page 2

CONTROL OF INDUSTRIES

DISTASTEFUL TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

The Acting-Prime Minister of Australia, Sir Joseph Cook, speaking in Sydney a few days ago, declared that the control of industries was distasteful to the Federal Government, and what was done in that direction was in response to the expressed wish of the people. No Government with any sense at all would have anything tj do with such control if it. could help it, the Minister said. His Government would much prefer to have nothing to do with it. If the people wanted the Government to cease controMing the markets, however, they- must cease asking for it. No Government other than an anarchist or Bolshevik one would of its own accord insist on undertaking contr.ol. But Lis Government was frequently asked to do it. He noticed that only the other day. at the Fruitgrowers’ Conference it was stated that it would be necessary to ask the Government; to help in gathering the fruit atid in marketing it. Control of markets was a very farreaching and dangerous question. It might even mean an appeal to the electors. Because the Victorian Government had nof given what was asked for in regard to wheat .th.ey had been defeated,-and had to go •to the country. The Federal Government was asked by the wpol growers to prohibit the export of wool, and greatly against his own private wishes the Bill .was put through. By the control of coal the people of Australia had been able to get supplies' at a price much lower £han .they otherwise would Have done. The price overseas was £2 per ton, and it would have been correspondingly high here. The Government was only too anxious to get rid of these controls, however, and the people should cease asking for them.