AUSTRALIA'S BURDEN.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20251, 1 June 1931, Page 14

AUSTRALIA'S BURDEN.

THE GOVERNMENT'S INAGTIVITt.

A STRONG INDICTMENT. Although it is nearly two years since it vts first apparent that a period of depression had descended on Australia, says the May iieview of the Melbourne stockbrokers (Messrs M. Byron Moore, Day, and Journeaux), it cannot be said that any constructive 31 measures have yet been introduced to meet, or even to alleviate, the conse(iu«iict& which it was inevitable must follow iroin the tremendous loss of national income, 'ln© people of Australia at the elections iieid late ui 19&J elected a ijauour Jfariiadent to face the diiucuit prouiems tnen existing and those immediately ahead. 'lliey entrusted tnem with tne responsibility of equitaoiy disunDming the iucrwces ana naiusniya oetwetui ail dosses. Tney were piuoea in control of me je&tuiuuve inacuiuery oi tne country, ana aoove au, were given an opportunity ot uputtiug the cause of 1 .aoour oy steeriiitj an unselhsli course that would ultimately enable Australia , successfully to emerge from the, most disastrous depression the world has • ever experienced. Their opportunity has been lost. The-inactivity of the Federal Labour I'arty has brought national disgrace, credit has temporarily disappeared, and the whole country has been brought close to the spectre of national disaster. The confidence of the people has been shattered, and we are looked upon in »U parts of the world almost in- tho light of a defaulting nation. Uur whole credit structure has been built, up on the confidence reposed in us, and this can only be restored by evidence of a determination to meet oar troubles by sound financial and economic practices. We have endeavoured'to maintain a standard of living higher than that, of any other country. We are extend-' ing social services, for which we have not the capacity to pay, and our Governments are still continuing a ratio of expenditure far in excess of their revenue, a condition which has been responsible for heavy Budget deficits. The Federal Treasurer is endeavour- . ing to tinker with the currency, to nationalise banking, control exchangas, and comnolsorily reduce" interest rates. Ha desires to restore the national income by inflating, the price levels, a high? fictitious process worthy of little consideration. ' In the meantime the nation is stag- - Bering under its. financial burden. „ Xlunarecb of thousands of men are frantically striving to formulate some .plan or policy which would allow of i tfce continuation of f&eir work or businam. Theyare unable to beep yimtom, let alone utrive as they 'An evpn Iftrger army is work- < : less and suffering. Tot the men who responsibility of Government tnAuatraliaare evading, what obviOttriy is necessary to. relieve these hardships, and are holding on to office mndr taking advantage of their coristi-1 tutional means to-etay there. ■ The gravity of the position is beyond comprehension, and increasing daily. We are treading a path that is perilous, and (he end is not in sight. The crisis is approaching, and there is a challenge to every politician to seek tho oommon good, whatever . fell particular political creed- -whatever Party allegiance he may .have previously owed. His prime duty is to ensure that his plans harmonise . witir national' interests, .and that in porrafng a closer course they do not Jeopardise the - nation's honpur and : solvency, or intensify -the already tdruel , tfeots of the economic crisis. If we ,•';«<la-to emerge with our pational into"*:jjrity there are nmojr prefe'rj«flm and prejudices that citizens of - j alii 'efatttea : and politicians 'of all jtHßwkjpl'triJl.luw? to* forget. r AUParties should -• unite; every ©f/intellectual halp is essential, ; and the Government should enlist the ojkfjrftte in sonference in , formulating ■. emerg<mcy programme to .he ' . forthwith. The P?im© Minis- !.. *«£' isf aUyextatled ,to maie 'such a ffr, *bh;h could bedone without any h^;f4aafiWo*t''of incompetency. The pa?'iftw. l Would' not be nnerateful for the i hehad eoftght- to render, hot tbebeysbnal fast: aten toward* the rehabiliuof Australia'# jposition is the v • - reparation of confidence bath here t&d ffiim and the quickest 'and surest £ •' about this' desirable an equitdMavon ortbe locs in ottr national «v' fafplM, and the Government 1 catf rrly .rl -to pay^ ! The "Qovarhtneit is fcnrdenod wjith liabilities which will be tfinet' cifficsijt to meet, but a frank. df the, position, to-1 , ' s Baww witu a Xjlear and , state-1 to'db tha 'j"rtW"an« Autre ill'* whatever sacrifices, or 'Otherwise,necessary, tho country can retain its T honour and raspect r avoid all the '; poriloos and disastrous effects qf do- - fault nod dishonour. When the worst ' has been said, it is safe to assert that Australia will ybt .regain financial sol- . vency, industrial prospenty, and >its .. fittinn ?lflce in International esteem, ny despite incitements and provocdtione, the people strive to keep their T", r " .JZZx . " MINING* fell 1 _i, » ' " J ; , " THE COSNISH POINT G.M. CO. has bwa rK«iv*d tram tha mine