NEW GROUP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1943, Page 4

NEW GROUP

IN FEDERAL POLITICS DESIRE TO STRENGTHEN U.A.P. DECLARATION OF POLICY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) MELBOURNE, April 4. The aims of the new National Service Group of the United Australia Party have been explained in a 10point manifesto. The group was formed on Thursday, when 17 members of the party broke away after expressing dissatisfaction with their leadership. These members will remain within the framework of the United Australia Party, but will not attend the party meetings. The group’s 10 aims are: —Full cooperation with the United Nations; one Australian Army to be used anywhere in the world; concentration of the total financial resources on the war (the manifesto advocates heavier rationing, price control taxation and the introduction of compulsory loans leaving civilians just enough of their incomes for frugal provision); taxation of every adult person except servicemen and pensioners; no more talk of social services during the war, but this is not to stop planning for post-war reconstruction; a review of the basis of overtime payments since “the soldiers do not get treble pay for holidays when they risk their futures and their lives”; the abandonment of “the suicidal policy of wiping out the middle class”; the preservation of Australian industries and their private initiative; maintenance of a proper balance between production and distribution and the fighting services to avoid “starving” essential production or the transport of manpower; a national service spirit. The spokesman of the group said its aim was to unite the U.A.P. not to weaken it. The group had been formed because its members . were disatisfied with the way the party had conducted its fight against the Government. The move was not one by Mr Menzies to gain control of the party. The group still recognised Mr Hughes as the party leader and Mr Radden as the joint Opposition Leader.