BRUCE STATES HIS POLICY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 480, 9 October 1928, Page 9

BRUCE STATES HIS POLICY

FEDERAL ELECTIONS COMPREHENSIVE PLATFORM (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Reed. Noon. MELBOURNE, To-day. The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, opened the general election campaign at Dandenong last evening. His declaration of policy included the following:— The maintenance of a White Australia; the carrying out, as far as may be financially possible, the air policy recommended by Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond, for the first three years; the reorganisation of the Tariff Board’s functions; the repeal of the coastal clauses of the Navigation Act; steps toward the unification of railway gauges; a comprehensive scheme of national insurance and unemployment insurance to be carried out by the States. Mr. Bruce’s speech also included a marketing system proposal, providing for the maintenance of regular highquality and a continuity of supplies: tho establishment of a division of maternal hygiene; regulation of life assurance and the registration of all companies; uniform divorce laws. The Government intended to pursue a protective tariff in order to foster Australian industries. It would make any sacrifices for the maintenance of a White Australia, would continue to oppose unrestricted migration, and would endeavour to keep Australia 98 per cent. British. The war debt had been reduced £40,000,000, and the debt per head was now £6 less than in 1921-22. The sale of the Commonwealth vessels was now saving the taxpayers £ 500,000 annually. Referring to the waterfront troubles, Mr. Bruce reiterated that the Government intended to compel observance of law and order at any cost. There would be no compromise with the few extremists who were seeking to overthrow constitutional government*

This utterance aroused cheers. Ex-Senator Gardiner intends to oppose Mr. E. G. Theodore for the Dailey seat. The writs are being issued to-day for the Federal elections on November 14. The Bruce. Government, during its three years, passed 138 Bills.