N.S.W. POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 271, 15 November 1910, Page 5

N.S.W. POLITICS.

L&BOUB PARTY'S PROGRAMME. STATE ENTERPRISE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) SYDNEY, November 14. The Premier (Mr. McGowen) to-night delivered his pre-sessional speech, which largely covered campaign promises. He said that at thp earliest possible moment he would pass a new Industrial Disputes Act, which would re-enact the principle of industrial arbitration as originally advocated.

The Workmen's Compensation Act would be amended to cover every calling in the State that could be brought under it, and to make it more in conformity with the New Zealand Act. He proposed to amend the Electoral Act to give votes to people in asylums and to the military, and also promised the extension of the Wages Boards and eight hours system. If necessary, the Government would opeii State mines in the north, south, and western coalfields. The revenue from the land tax would be devoted to the development of railways and the opening up of the lands. MINIMUM WAGE. THE ARBITRATION SYSTEM. (Received 9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Mr. McGowen, continuing his pre-ses-sional speech, stated that the Government will make the Wages Boards advisory bodies, leaving the declaration of awards to the Arbitration Court. Government employees will receive a minimum wage on the standard set by the Federal Government. Arbitration was impossible without recognition of unionism. They would deal with all sweated labour, and special attention would be given to public hospital nurses. It would be necessary befo* long to deal with the question of Sta(te insurance for workers. The existing 27 Crown Lands Acts would be wiped out and replaced by an Act as simple as possible. They would not only give new ports under the decentralisation scheme, but intended to establish central depots for receiving, freezing, storing, and distributing perishable products, and also to extend the system of railway refrigerating cars, which it was intended to make cheaper, quicker, and more efficacious. The Government will, if possible, establish ironworks, and hopes to supply iron and steel for the whole of Australia. A RICH COALFIELD. (Received 8.55 a.m.) isr ' "■ SYDNEY, this day. Mr. McGowen states that the Crown has 4000 acres of very rich coal land near Sydney, valued at two millions sterling.