FEDERAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81859, 6 October 1906, Page 2

FEDERAL POLITICS

LABOUR PARTY'S MANIFESTO. Melbourne, October 5. The Federal Parliamentary Labour party has issued a manifesto to electors. It surveys the work of the dying Parliament, and declares that the Labour platform proposes that the fiscal policy of Australia shall be settled by a direct vote of the people themselves. It was the intention of the party that this settlement should be made speedily, decisively, and free from the confusion and distraction of other issues. The most serious obstae'e of expansion of progress in Australia is the land monopoly, which was largely responsible for the unemployed, and had driven thousands cut f the Commonwealth during the past / few years, and impedes any substantial increase of population from abroad. Land monopoly should be abolished if the people are to have a fair chanccMif earning an honest live'' lihood. The party had determniecT' on a progressive land tax to break up big estates. The principle is quoted as contributing largely to Now Zealand's prosperity. The manifesto favours the immediate provision of coast defence by torpedo boats or other suitable vessels. The proximity of the Northern Territory to the East demonstrates, the want of wisdom of allowing spacious territory to be untenanted. The party is convinced that its effectual occupation by the white race is practicable, and would cordially welcome the right kind of immigrants. It is desirable to take.dyer the State debts, 'and limit the borrowing powers of the" States/. ' *-■■■■