THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 2

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

POLICY SPEECH BY MR. HUGHES. Australian-JT.Z. Cable Association Melbourne, March 27. Delivering a policy speech at Bendigo, Mr. Hughes said tiie Anzac vote at the conscription referendum was 72,000 foi and 58,000 against. The Government had been forced tn appeal to the country bv the bitter and reckless hostility of the Senate. If returned the Government would not enforce conscription on tin. people, but, if the national safety demanded it, the question would again be referred to the people. Rcfening to the wheat pool lie said that to date they had sold 0,100,000 tons. Of this 2,014,000 tons had been sent over the sea, and 3,185,000 tons had been sold and not shipped. The Government had now extended the guarantee of 5s per bushel to farmers for the 1918-19 crop. The repatriation scheme involved the expenditure of 32 luillions, 22 million? of which it was proposed to raise bv loans, the remainder bv a tax on incomes spread over a series of years. The. same facilities for land settlement would be given to British as to Australian soldiers.

It was intended to follow tlie example or Britain with regard to the importation of luxuries, and to give effect to a policy which would enable them to keep tlie wealth of the country, within the country and Empire. , r - Hughes concluded that many of their opponents were openly hostile to Britain and were clamoring for a premature peace, caring for nothing 'but their own selfish interests.