Final Bids For Aust. Votes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30302, 30 November 1963, Page 13

Final Bids For Aust. Votes

(N'.Z, Press Association— Copyright) MELBOURNE, November 29. Final messages before tomorrow's Australian Federal elections were issued today by the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Menzies) the Labour Party leader, (Mr Arthur Calwell) and the leader of the Country Party, (Mr John McEwen). The Liberal Party and the CountryParty form the present government.

In his message to electors, Sir Robert Menzies said that the issues on which the election was being fought were primarily those of Australia’s external security and defence. Domestic policies, of course, had played an important part in his proposals but he was sure that all Australians would recognise that the carrying out of any domestic policy depended entirely upon | the ability to hold Australia | secure. Defence Policy The Government's defence: policy was designed to pro-! vide Australia with relatively I small but nevertheless strong and mobile units of the Army, 1 Navy and Air Force. Australia's forces were of a size and character which would permit them to be employed in association with its great allies in the defence of Australia outside Australia's! I shores, said Sir Robert Menzies.

On the domestic front the Government's housing policy was designed to help young people planning marriage by offering subsidies of £ I to £3 of saved deposits on land or homes. For those who already had young or growing families the Government proposed 12.500 scholarships for technical and secondary education and endowment extending to the age of 21 for all student children in a family. With all these policies the Government felt it had proposals which had the universal approval of the Australian people. Sir Robert Menzies said. •‘Time For Change"

Mr Calwell said: "After travelling the length and breadth of this continent from Townsville in North Queensland to Geraldton in Western Australia. I have become convinced that a majority of Australians will declare themselves for our policy of growth and expansion. They realise it is time for a change.

“W'hat will happen on Saturday, therefore, is not so much a swing away from the present Government, but a positive swing to Labour.

"I believe Sir Robert Menzies has had the same experience, and in his desperation, has revealed new or at least long concealed attitudes towards political standards. The campaign which is now drawing to its close has been conducted bv our opponents with a scurrility unsurpassed since federation, and scarcely equalled by the shameful 1949 campaign.'' Mr Calwell said. “Fortunately for Australia, there is a continuing certainty about the course of our international affairs, which ever party com?s to power after these elections. The great certainty is that the Australian-American alliance will be maintained "But what we need is a government which will speak with the authentic voice of Australia in the councils of the nations. We do not believe. as our opponents seem to, that friendship demands subservience,” he said. “Where our policy really differs from that of our opponents is in the field of

domestic affairs," said Mr Calwell. "We will help all Australian parents increase the health and happiness of their children by doubling child endowment to restore the value it had under the Chifley Government. Wc will assist the older generation by reI storing the 10s pension increase to married persons, and by the gradual abolition of the means test.” Mr Calwell said Mr McEwen, in his final message to electors, said: “The Australian Country Party has campaigned for faster growth to stimulate i production and to earn secure incomes for all. | “It is by producing more I real wealth from farms, fac- ! tories. mines and forests that |we can afford at the same ■ time high spending for defence, developmental work, immigration, fast industrial growth, housing, and all of the social services—from education to pensions—which are our national objective." he said.