POLICY SPEECH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 7

POLICY SPEECH

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS GREAT WAR EFFORT REVIEW BY MR MENZIES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 3, 9.5 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 3 In a joint election policy speech for the United Australia and United Country Parties at Camberwell, the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, outlined the Government’s war activities and its aims if it is returned to power. He said the Government had raised 130,000 men for the Australian Imperial Force and many thousands for the Navy and Air Force, had established and maintained a large home defence arm of nearly 100,000, had created camps in all parts of the Commonwealth, and otherwise had vastly expanded the military machine. It had embarked on large-scale shipbuilding, and brought to fruition the manufacture of aircraft. It had drawn heavily upon the credit of the nation, involving equality of sacrifice, despite which the prices of commodities had risen only the merest fraction. , Every effort was being made, through the Prices Control Commissioner, to prevent the exploitation of consumers. The maximum employment was being given by the transfer from civil occupations to war needs. All possible aid was being extended to the primary industries, thanks to the British Government’s bulk purchases of wheat and the facilities made available here between the banks for prompt payments to the producers. Mr Menzies announced that the Government irf ended to acquire the next Australian wheat harvest, making advances upon it without delay. He acknowledged the magnificent way in which the trade unions had ranged themselves behind the war effort, also the unstinted help of the voluntary workers throughout Australia. He emphasised the tremendous expansion of the production of munitions and war equipment and the corresponding increase in employment.