Menzies Govt. To Restate Policies

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 15

Menzies Govt. To Restate Policies

(N.Z Press Assoctattm—Copy-ipsti MELBOURNE, December 20. The Prime Minister. Mr Robert Menzies, told Government members of Parliament at a party meeting that the Government’s policies would be restated to dispel a popular impression that the Government was tired and apathetic, according to the “Melbourne Age's” Canberra correspondent.

This impression was false, he said, but it had been a factor operating against the Government in the recent Federal election. The Government's policies would continue to aim at economic stability. But they would b<- carefully worded to convey the vigour and freshness of the Government's ideas. Mr Menzies was qvo’ed as saying. Mr Menzies assured Liberal and Country Party members who attended the meeting that th* Government would take notice ot the lessons of the election These lessons would be embodied in the restatement of Government policies which he intended to publish as soon as possible, the correspondent said. Members said after the meeting that the Prime Minister had been noticeab’v deferential to rank-and-file members and appeared to have been considerably affected—in his thinking and in his demeanour—by the election results. They had formed the impression that in future Ministers would be more inclined to listen to backbenchers’ views on policy and the public’s reaction to policy. They said Mr Menzies had freely admitted that what the Government had been doing had n-t “gone over” wit’ the electorate An issue still remained in Australia—a Liberal economy or a Socialist economy. Mr Menzies said today, making his first statement since the post-election Cabinet meeting yesterday “And we will ficht it out with vigour and de'ermination." he added Mr Menzies said: “We will devote the closest attention to the problems involved in the Common Market negotiations with the object of safeguarding the rural industries, whose prosperity is so vital for the nation "Complete economic recover.' depends on restoring private enterprise to full activity. As the spirit of private enterprise is the dynamo of national progress, we look to the encouragement of that spirit by such means as are available." Mr Menzies said he was confident that 1962 could be a great year of advancement for all. His general observations would be given more detailed expression and application as soon as possible in th- New Year, he said “We will continue to desire full employment and will give special and urgent attention to such unemployment as now exists." he said. He said the Government "does not propose to take up rigid attitudes or to ignore

the currents of public opinion.” Mr Menzies said the Government would not abandon its twin policies of stability and national development as a result ot its narrow win in the Federal elections. “But modifications of method and approach should clearly be made in the applications of those policies, he said The Government proposed to set up closer contacts with manufacturing, business and banking leaders "We will particularly desire to discuss with manufacturers the problems of tariffs and imports,” he said.