STEVENS' POLICY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 7

STEVENS' POLICY

GETTING RID OF LANG ROAD TO STABILITY. Danger of Civil War in Return To Office. UNITED ANTI-LABOUR FRONT. (Unibed P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, May 25. At Croydon the Premier, Mr. B. S. Stevens, delivered the Government's policy speech, which was endorsed by the Leader of the Country party, Mr. M. F. Bruxner, from the same platform. Tho Premier warned the electors that a return to the Lang regime would bring Australia face to face with civil war and a break-up of the Federal Union. He expressed the opinion that the country had had enough of "that rebellious administration." Already peace and harmony had been restored to industry and private life, the fullest encouragement was being criven to private enterprise, and trade Restrictions were being removed in order that as many people as possible could be reabsorbed in employment. The Government had pledged itself to honour faithfully and to carry out the Premiers' plan and to work with the Commonwealth and the other States as a United Australia instead of as wrangling units. No effort would be spared to arrest the financial drift and restore public confidence, said Mr. Stevens. The floating debt of the State had risen to £31,000,000, for which scarcely one pennyworth of assets could be shown. The drift had been continuing at a rate of £10,000,000 a year, thanks to the bankrupt policy of Langism. Relief works would be provided as speedily as possible in order to get men into work and off the dole. Financial aid was already assured for this and for the development of reproductive work?. No Interference With Basic Wage. No attempt would be made to interfere with the basic wage or with working hours, which matters would be left entirely to the Arbitration Courts. The Government would extend the moratorium for three years, and also continue the present social services intact. Legitimate trades unionism would be recognised and encouraged, but despotic unionism would be curbed, as would all seditious organisations. The Legislative Council would be reconstituted. The membership would be reduced, making it truly a deliberative body representative of all sections of the community and a proper House of review. The. Government was prepared to join the Federal Government in making an approach to the overseas money market for the conversion of all debts at lower rates of interest. Referring to the creation of new States, Mr. Stevens said the Government was convinced that the only effective way to prevent a repetition of the destructive form of government which had disgraced the Lang regime was the subdivision of this State by an amplification of the machinery already in existence for the creation of new units. This task would be undertaken as soon as possible.

A SIMPLE ISSUE.

QUESTION FOR N.S.W. ELECTORS (Received 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The "Sydney Morning Herald" in a leader says: "There is only one question for every elector at the elections, that is whether he or she prefers sane, responsible Government or anarchy and. strife leading to civil war. The weight of the influence of this State in the Federation is such that New South Wales can make all the difference between the salvation or, foundering of Australia. "By co-operating with the Federal and other State Governments the people of New South Wales can be assured of this, that the Commonwealth will be started on the road to prosperity."

NOMINATIONS CLOSE.

LANG FACES FOUR OPPONENTS. SYDNEY, May 25. Nominations closed to-day for the New South Wales general election (to be held on June 11). Three members have been returned unopposed, one representing the United Australia party and two the Country party, including the leader of the latter, Mr. M. F. Bruxner, Deputy-Premier and Minister of Transport. The remaining 87 seats in the Legislative Assembly will be contested by 302 eandidatce. The United Australia party has 57 candidates in the field, and the Country party 34, but there are also a number of unattached candidates who are supporting the Government's policy. At present these are described as Unity candidates. The Lang nominees number 76, and Federal Labour candidates 37. The rest are either Independents or Communists. Mr. Lang has four opponents and Mr. B. S. Stevens, Premier, is opposed by one Lang supporter.