LABOUR PARTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY

POLICY IN AUSTRALIA NATION’S WAR EFFORT LOYALTY TO BRITAIN (United Pre-ss Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, August 29 In a broadcast speech, the Labour leader, Mr J. Curtin, outlined the policy of the Federal Labour Party j in fighting the pending general elec- J tion. He reaffirmed his party’s j loyalty and its determination to play : its part in the nation’s war effort. ! “The Australian Labour Party,” j he said, “stands inflexible in it's sup- ! port of the British cause. We are J upholding that which is just.” The party’s aim was the swift or- i ganisation of the nation on a defence j footing. Circumstances as they arose j would determine the extent of par- ; ticipation of Australian volunteers | in the European warfare. The party J would aim at the maximum indus- | trial production through the absorption of all idle employable labour. j Mr Curtin advocated national con- \ trol of banking and credit, interest 1 rates and investments, to ensure an industrial and economic basis for! national defence and security. He said Labour would retain the pres- ! ent emergency powers for post-war ! reconstruction, which would involve considered economic planning. Supply of Munitions Labour’s policy was for a balanced organisation to ensure a continuous supply of munitions for all guns used by Australia, and reorganisation ot the Department of Information so that its function would be to tell more and restrain less. The pay for the Australian Im- , perial Force would be increased so that a soldier with a wife and one child would receive £4 7s 6d a week, instead of £3 17s as at present. The party would review the incidence of taxation to conform to the principle of the individual’s ability to pay. Old-age and invalid pensions would be increased to £1 5s a week in view of the increased cost of living. The party would provide pensions for widows with dependent children of £1 a week for a widow and 10s for each dependent child. New Social Order Mr Curtin said they would aim at post-war reconstruction in the nature of a new social order based on democracy and the rights of all men and women to enjoy the fruits of honest toil. There would be full recognition of trades unions, the safeguarding of Australian standards, and the maintenance of the rights of unionism. The Labour Party proclaimed it an imperative necessity for the full use by the Australian Government of all productive and financial resources of the country. The old order of profitmaking and personal interests must be subordinated to the necessities of ensuring the security of Australians and preserving inviolate the soil which they occupied. To stiffen Australia’s resistance and build up a striking force which would be invincible, everything must go into the common pool. Wealth, primary and manufactured materials, the physical strength and brilliance of trained minds must all be fully available to the Australian Government. Workers must realise, too, that the great effort they were called upon to make could best be made when guided along the most carefully planned lines. Interest of the People Mr Curtin concluded by saying that the public interest would be paramount in the party’s objectives. He did not refer to a National Government or to the proposed National War Council, but said a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Minister for the Army and another Minister, independent of any department, should be established to superintend the entire administration of the country’s war effort. He opposed the Government’s petrol rationing plan, which, he said, he would “try to correct without ruthlessly disturbing the motor industry.”