A MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 283, 22 April 1911, Page 5

A MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME

VIGOROUS POLICY OUTLINED. By Cable—Press Association— Copvri?ht. Sydney, April 21. Mr Holman, Minister of Justice, in a speech at Gundagai, outlined the Government programme, the chief items of which were, a vigorous land development policy, the building of railways in advance of settlement, the subdivision of lands thus opened for settlement, the duplicating of the main lines of railway, a new Arbitration Bill, reorganisation of the public finances, which would be placed on a businesslike footing, and the opening of State coal mines to supply the railways. More taxation was foreshadowed, the burden of which would be put on the backs of those that would be best able to bear it. The linking of the City and North Sydney by means of tunnels would receive immediate attention. The question of extinguishing the State debt would be vigorously faced. It was intended to establish a new Labor Department with the object of keeping workers acquainted with the state of industrial conditions. Mr. Holman foreshadowed a newWorkmen's Compensation Act, getting rid of the present restriction to £2OO benefit for workmen permanently injured; the establishment of model suburbs as workmen's homes; wide-reaching prison law and education reforms; and the encouragement of co-operative meat works.