THE AUSTRALIAN POLICY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 266, 2 April 1913, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN POLICY

MR. iFIBHER'S PROGRAMME. JJOLD AND PROGRESSIVE. TARIFF REFORM PPvOMISED. STATE LINE OF STEAMERS. Ey Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Brisbane, April 1. Mr. Fisher, in a policy speech delivered at Maryborough, foreshadowed that at the end of the financial year there would be a surplus of £2,261,541. He said that since the Government took office ten .millions had been provided out of revenue for new works. "Referring to the referendum, he declared that it was distinctly a national Tnrhicfvial nnnpn pniil/I nnlv liP

matter. Industrial peace could only be secured by increasing the powers of the Commonwealth. Without the amendment of the constitution, no effective legislation was possible. The new protection, which was the Government's policy, was only economic justice. The •tariff, though working fairly well, called for readjustment in order to encourage manufactures. Should the people, however, decide against the amendment of the constitution the Government would take an early opportunity of amending the tariff. Mr. Fisher estimated that at the end of six years 100,000 senior cadets would b>; in training and 128,000 militia, between the ages of 18 and 26 years. Provision would be made for senior cadets to carry out a proportion of their drills during working hours, and legislation would be introduced to.obviate any loss of wages entailed by this. It was intended to equalise the sugar bounty and excise, with a view to protecting white growers-.against the unI fair competition of employers of colored 'labor. i Efforts would be continued permanently to settle a white population in the Territory, and further to develop Papua. The States would be asked to confer With the object of converting the State t ' debts ',to an Australian consolidated : ■debt. ' It was proposed to establish a line of steamers between the mainland and Tasmania. An overseas service was also projected for the more expeditious and efficient carrying of mails and general produce. A wireless station of great range would 'be installed at Port Darwin, to link up with the Imperial chain. A snm of £20,000 would be sot aside for the prevention and cure of consumption and cancer. RECIPROCAL TRADE. NEW ATLANTIC CABLE NEEDED, j ' Brisbane, April 1. Mr. Fisher referred to the forthcoming conference with representatives of Xew Zealand and Canada on the question of reciprocal trade. He declared that the Pacific cable, having to depend on a private cable across the Atlantic, was unsatisfactory to Australia and New Zealand. He favored the proposal that an Atlantic lino should be laid, in order to allow them through connection with London. The Government', he said, did not intend to let the matter rest as it was. '■ THE DEFENCE PROPOSALS. NAVTES OF SEA . AND" AIR. Melbourne,. April 1. Mr. Fisher, continuing his speech on. naval expenditure, said that in the past three years nearly £5,500,000 had been' spent on the navy. It was proposed to start a naval aviation school, and various naval bases with floating docks, and the naval shipbuilding yards at Jems Bay were to be proceeded with. j The Government would co-operate with . the other Dominions and the United Kingdom,, for'the protection of British' interests in the Pacific.