AIMS OF PARTY GROUP

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23914, 5 April 1943, Page 4

AIMS OF PARTY GROUP

POLITICAL CHANGES IN AUSTRALIA

(Rec. 7.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 3. The aims of the new National Service Group of the United Australia Party have been explained in a lengthy 10-point manifesto. The group was formed on Thursday, when 17 members of the party broke away after expressing dissatisfaction with their leadership. These members will remain within the framework of the United Australia Party, but will not attend party meetings. The group’s aims are:— Full co-operation with the United Nations. One Australian Army, to be used anywhere in the world. Concentration of total financial resources on the .war (the manifesto advocates heavier rationing, price control, taxation, and the introduction of compulsory loans, leaving civilians just enough of their incomes for frugal provision). Taxation of every adult person except servicemen and pensioners. No more talk of social services during war, but this is not to stop planning for post-war reconstruction. A review of the basis of overtime payments, since ‘‘soldiers do not get treble pay for holidays, when they risk their futures and their lives.” The abandonment of the ‘‘suicidal policy of wiping out” the middle class. The preservation of Australian industries and their private initiative. The maintenance of a proper balance between production and distribution and the fighting services to avoid "starving” essential production or the transport of manpower. A national service spirit. The spokesman of the group said its aim was to unite the United Australia Party, not to weaken it. The group had been formed because its members were dissatisfied with the way the party had conducted its fight against the Government. The move was not one by Mr R. G. Menzies to gain control of the party. The group still recognised Mr W. M. Hughes as the party leader, and Mr A. W. Fadden as the joint Opposition leader.