AUSTRALIA'S PLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 3

AUSTRALIA'S PLIGHT.

"LOWER LIVING STANDARD NEEDED." NATIONALIST'S VIEW. The opinion that the position in Australia would not be rectified until a lower standard of living was adopted, was expressed by the Hon. R. M. Cuthbertson, who arrived by the yesterday. He was a member cf the last Nationalist Cabinet in New South Wales. "Of course," said Mr. Cuthbertson, "everyone likes a high standard of living, but if it is not iii harmony with the wealth and production of the country the people must be mads to realise that it is in their best interests to adopt a lower standard. The Labour party has not realised that yet, and no Labour candidate dare advocate a reduction in wages for fear that he will lose nomination for his seat." Although he could not yet see any signs of an improvement in the situation in the Commonwealth, Mr. Cuthberton said that a most hopeful sign wae that some of the best elements in the Labour party were dropping party politics, and were linking up with the other side in an effort to pull Australia through. It yet remained, however, for the State and Commonwealth Governments to get together and take drastic steps.