M.P.’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 275, 15 August 1921, Page 7

M.P.’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR

CONDITIONS IN COMMONWEALTH VIEWS OF MR. A. D. M*LEOD Mr. A. D. M'Leod. M.P. for Wairarapa, who with two Wairarapa friends has been touring in Australia for tho past eight weeks, returned to Wellington by tho Ulimaroa yesterday. Mr. M’Leod has benefited greatly in health by the trip, and sneaks highly of tho attention and courtesy shown him by representatives of tho Governments in tho various States visited, which included New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. The most enjoyable time of the trip was spent in Queensland, where, after going as far north as Roclrhampton, the party journeyed west to Ixmgreach. There some MO miles were covered by motor, rml several largo pastoral properties visited. State Taxation. Mr. M’Leod thinks that Victoria is_hy far tho soundest of the three States visited. Unemployment is not conspicuous in Victoria, and State taxation is on a much lower level. On an income of A 309 in Queensland the State tax is ABO 16s and in New South Wales --18 15s. In Victoria it is only Jl3 15s. "Generally speaking," said Mr. M'Leod, "throughout all the States there aro evidences and indications, of a gof'jl season ahead. In some localities a difficulty is being experienced in getting wheat sown on account of the rain , but in most places tho growth is excellent Pastoralists depending entirely on cattla anticipate a bad time, and cattle,-con-sidering' quality, are selling below bow Zealand prices. Shcepowners aro in a better position. Fino wools aro^ fetching fair values, and New South IV ales cun take a lot of sheep from neighbouring States to stock up after the severe drought of lost year. Sydney itself now takes a largo amount of meat for its requirements, the killing at the Homebush abattoirs running into over 15,000 shi.ep and 750 head of cattle per day.” Farmers and Labour in Politics.

Asked what political impressions he had gathered, Mr. M'Leod replied that perhaps his stay in Australia had been too short to justify his venturing an opinion. ‘'Governments formed from any or every political party, generally speaking, have to bear all the odium attached to a turn of bad times, which to-W appears to be world-wide," he said. In Australia, Labour Governments arc today up against it, and in my opinion they would not survive an election m either Queensland or Now South Wales. The opinion hold by the majority of farmers met with in these States is that the farmers of Victoria have made a groat blunder, and will suffer for it nt the coming elections in that State. Ihe success of the Country Party candidate in tho Maranoa, an electorate which has been Lalwur since the first Federal Parliament, is causing Labour leaders in Queensland and New South Anics considerable anxiety for the futuie. Wages nnd iHours.

"One which is alarming many, both inside and outside political circles, is the terrible increase in the cost of railway running. It is admitted by all that any advance fn rates is uot 1 kely to improve tho position, while it is also admitted that alongside other classes of labour railwaymen are not overpaid. Business men strongly hold the opinion that while wages have rightly increased in Australia the resultant work 'has been greatly reduced. That the maximum amount of pay for the minimum amount of work is being well carried out in many directions is the verdict of almost all employers. "The cry for a five-day week is being kept well to tho fore, and finance, it is said, is being largely found by owners of proprietary racecourses and bookmakers to keep tho agitation going, 'while splendid manufacturing ventures, such as Hoskin Bros.’ steel works, are hardly able to keep open. “W'liat is going to be the outcome in Australia is hard to forecast. One thing, however, is certain—that if the present high wages and conditions ,of living aro to l>o maintained much better results will require to be given by workers."