AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1919, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS, MR. HUGHES' OOMPAIGN, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, October 31. Mr W M. Hughes delivered a polity speech at Bendigo. He said that Australia would not be represented at the Labor Conference at Washington as the Labor Party had refused to nominate a representative. After outlining' the Government's dealings with producers Mr. Hughes stated that the guarantee of £2l per ton for raw sugar would be extended for another year. ' Referring to the war he said they had a war -debt of iKK) millions and must produce more, the only alternative being Bolshevism. The Government, believing insurance against unemployment and- sickness was necesiJary, intended to institute' a searching investigation with a view to the establishment of a system fair to employers and employees. The Government would continue its efforts to promote the organisation of industry and had decided, with this end in view, to guarantee a minimum price' for cotton for tliree years. Referring to the aftermath of the war Mr. Hughes said profiteering would be dealt with immediately; it would be attacked by legislation and administration. The Government was appointing a representative Royal Commission to inquire into high prices. After outlining the causes of industrial unrest Mr. Hughes said he was appointing a commission to inquire respecting the cost of livfng. In relation to the minimum wage the Government would - create machinery whereby representatives of organised labbr and the employers would form industrial councils in the. Commonwealth and States and'give these statutory authority. A Commonwealth Industrial Court wdtald be formed consisting of one Commonwealth and two or more State judges. A new tariff would be brought before the House immediately it reassembles.

He also proposed a vigorous policy of immigration and a public health scheme •in co-operation with the States.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.