GOVERNMENT POLICY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 235, 26 May 1932, Page 5

GOVERNMENT POLICY

jPress Assn. — '

mr stevens -det ails plans to restore state's industries "LANGISM MEANS CIVIL WAR"

By TelegriiDh — Copyright);

Kec. May 25, 11-40 p.m. SYDNEY, Wednesday. The Premier, Mr. B. S. Steyens, tonight at Croydon, delivered the. Government's policy speeeh, which was endorsed by the Country Party leader, CoioneJ M. F. Bruxner, from the same platform. Mr. ' Stevens warned the eleetors that the return of the Lang regime wpuld .bring Australia f'ace to face with civiL war and the break-up of tbe^ Federal union. He, was of the opinion that the country ha.d had enough of that rebellious administration^ Already peace and harmony had been restoyed in industry and in private life and the fullest encouragpment.was to be given to private entprprisp- Trade reconstruction was being resumed in ordei; that as many people as possible would be re-absorb-ed in employnient. Government's Pledge The Government pledged itself to honour faithfully and carry out the Premier's plan and to work with the Commonwealth and the other States as a United Australia, instead of a wrangling unit. No pains would be spared to. avert the financial drift and restore public confidence.The public, dpbt of the St-ate^had risen £3i, 000,000 for which there was scarcely a pennyworth of assets, , It could be shown that the drift had been, continuing at the rate of d?10,060,00Q per annum owing to the bankrupt policy of Langism. . , Relief wcrks would be provided.as speedily as possible in order to get the men, into wprk and off the dqle. Fipancial aid was already assured for this and for reproductive work. No alteration would. be made in the basic wage and hours, which were matters left entirely to the Arhitration Court. , . The Government would exfend the moratorium for three years and also continue. the present social , seryices intact. Legit'imate trade unionism would be re.cognised and .encouraged, and despotic unionism would be curbed, as would all seditious organisations. " Reconstitutioii of Assembly . The Legislative Assembly would be reconstituted by reducing its membership, making it purely deliberative, representative of all sections of ,the community and a proper House of few ipeasuresThe Governmient was prepared to join the Federal Government in making an approach to the overseas money market for the conversion of all debts at a lower rate of interest. Referring to the creation of new States, Mr. Stevens said the Government was convinced that the only way of preventing a repetition of the destructive government which had disgraeed the Lang regime, was the subdivision of the State by the amplification of machihery already in existence for the creation of new units. This task would be undertakeh as soon as possible.