LABOUR PARTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21211, 6 September 1940, Page 7

LABOUR PARTY

LOYALTY TO BRITAIN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS SHOULDER TO SHOULDER (Called Preos Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Sept. 5 “Our party will stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain in the great cause for which she is fighting,” declared Mr J. Beasley, leader of the small group of the Federal Labour Party known as non-Communists, during his election policy speech last night.

He added that the British Government, however, should be asked whether sections of Australian troops overseas were essential to the current war plans. The Labour movement regarded the Australian Imperial Force as the backbone of the Australian Army and it was due to the Australian people that adequate troops should be available if war came to the Commonwealth. His party favoured adequate reinforcements, and the best equipment for the Australian troops, as well as increases in their pay and allowances equivalent to the basic wage, together with £1 a week rental allowance and proper provision for their dependants. Aim of Government It should be the aim of the Australian Government to increase the air force strength with an objective of 10,000 machines and at least 500 aerodromes located at strategic points along the entire Australian coast, while, every dockyard in the Commonwealth should be set to work constructing a flotilla. He hoped that for every man trained under the Empire Air Force plan, two others would be trained for service in Australia. He advocated the use of the Commonwealth Bank credit in order to speed up defence works, for the relief of the unemployed, financing primary producers, and providing a guarantee of 3s 10£d per bushel to wheatgrowers. Mr Beasley urged the establishment of conciliation committees for the speedy settlement of disputes.