The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening Morning News and The Echo. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1913. THE FEDERAL LABOUR POLICY

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 2 April 1913, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening Morning News and The Echo.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1913. THE FEDERAL LABOUR POLICY

For the cause that lacks assietanoe, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the futwe in the distance,. And the good that we can do.

If the critics and opponents of "State Socialism" on the other side of the world could lie induced to .study the policy just enunciated by the Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth; they might possibly see some reason to modify their views as to the : character and effects of democratic legislation. For there is certainly nothing in Mr. Fisher's programme that could fairly be objected to by any reasonable man who believes that the chief function of Government is to promote the welfare of the great majority of ite subjects. This, it is generally admitted, is the most rational definition of the duties of a Government, and no one can follow Mr Fisher's statement of policy -without being impressed by its public-spirited tone, its moderation, and the evident desire of its framers to legislate, not in the interests of one section or class, but on behalf of the people considered as a whole. Not the least noteworthy feature of Mr Fisher's speech Jβ the reference to the rapid progress and general prosperity of Australia. In epite of droughts and other climatic irregularities, the Commonwealth, it is estimated, will show a surplus of over two and a-quarter millions for the current financial year; and though we can hardly credit the Australian democratic system with having created this wealth, it is at least a proof that "State Socialism" is not, as come of its enemies still contend, a hindrance to the healthy development of a country, or a menace to its financial and commercial stability. As regards matters of domestic policy, Mr. Fisher's statement deals with certain obvious topics in a very frank and reasonable spirit. Xow that the trouble about the capital site, is settled, it will be impossible to keep the tariff question longer in -the background. The Fisher Ministry consists, of course, of convinced Protectionists, and they are prepared to go further than the country has yet gone in encouraging the growth of manufactures by means of a protective tariff. But they are determined that Australia shall not pass through America's bitter experience, and find that the tariff *encats chiefly a handful of capitalists without conferring proportionate advantages on- the -workers; and therefore they to support the so-called new Protection, iby which the benefits of the tariff are extended only to those industries in -which the wage earners tcceive a. fair rate of pay and •work under reasonable conditions. The tariff ie to be amended, in any with ths object of strengthening Australia's protective policy; but Mr Fisher evidently hopes that the result o.f the forthcoming Referendum will give the Federal Government authority to defend the interests of the workers, and the masses in other directions as well. It is conceivable that the "State Eights" cry may once more prove effectual, and that the people of Australia will refuse to give the central Government the authority that it needs to enforce uniform legislation throughout the Commonwealth against trusts and combines, and for the provision gf adequate means to settle industrial disputes. But even if Mr Finher is disappointed again, and the Referendum proposals are rejected, there trill still be a chance of dealing with the fiscal question by direct legislation. The allocation of a large sum for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, the conversion of the State debts, and the peopling of the Northern Territory wilt whites, are all proposals which are thoroughly consistent -vyith public sentiment just now, and which, while they evidence a broad and statesmanlike outlook upon the prospects of the Commonwealth, show no sign of those rash, sensational, and destructive tendencies vehjeb. the enemies of the Australian Labour party usually profess to associate with its policy. But if Mr. Fishcra domestic policy is public-spirited and reasonable, his conception of Imperialism and his view of the relations which Australia ought to maintain toward the rest of the Empire are such as moderate men of all parties should be able to appreciate- He is anxious to eetaiblish reciprocal trade relations «ilh New Zealand and Canada. He desires to see Australia connected with England, and the Imperial dependencies by an "All-Red" line and he therefore advocates the provision by England o,f a State-owned Atlantic cable to link up with the Canadian and- Pacific services. Similarly he is prepared to extend x4ustralia's wireless system to the Northern Territory, so as to bring the Commonwealth into touch with England's eastern outposts. Certainly there is nothing here of those narrow and short-siglitod prejudices by which the Socialism of certain "Little Englandcr" Labour leaders is diefignred. On the contrary, there is every sign of an intelligent and comprehensive appreciation of Imperialism and the responsibilities that it entails upon every section of the Empire. It is still too early to predict the ultimate effects of the political predominance of Labour in Australia. But so far as it has gone the Labour party has succeeded admir--1 ably in. carrying out its principles in lejisiDtion without running *o extremes; u.nu, in our opinion, a Government so [constituted and with euch a record to.

point 'to, ie thoroughly justified in asking foJ such, an extension of ite powers as thelAustralian people ate to have the opportunity of conferring upon it ehortly by means of the Beferendum.