FOR SANER POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 171, 16 April 1931, Page 7

FOR SANER POLITICS

All for Australia League GROWTH OF MOVEMENT Disillusioned by the working of their existing political machinery, Australians are joining in thousands the All for Australia League, a body whose declared alms include the abolition of State Parliaments arid a return to saner politics. The league and its success were spoken of on Tuesday by Mr.' John Puller, a member of the wellknown entertainment firm, who arrived by the Ulimaroa from Sydney. Tlie league, he said, had the support of Press and public alike, and it was referred to by everyone as -the “A.F.A." People in the streets were wearing its badges; ' There seemed to be a more optimistic tone everywhere, said Mr. Fuller. The great bulk of middle-class people who used to pooh-pooh the idea of taking an interest; in politics had found out suddenly that they had very bad masters, and changed completely. This gave the All for Australia League its chance. The league tame in one the crest, of the wave, and hundreds of people found in its platform their idea of the salvation of Australia. The “A.F.A.” was adding enormously to its membership all the time. Politics had to be cleaned up, said the man in the street, and he threw in his lot with a body which was aiming at the abolition of State Parliaments. There was a general feeling now that Australia was over-governed and badlygoverned, and that professional politicians had the people by the throat. This would continue until the reformation which was certainly coming actually happened. The country, said Mr. Fuller, had definitely touched rock bottom. “After all," he continued, “when all is said and done, the great trouble is that no ordinary working man likes to vote against what is called ‘labour.’ He thinks he is voting for himself and his ideas by supporting it. Cut these ‘labour’ candidates are really socialists, and.the working man is beginning to realise it. Things cannot be on the up-grade in Australia until the Labour Governments are removed, because they are keeping up wages and sheltered conditions, a policy which, under present conditions, is handicapping the farmer unfairly. No country could carry on with such a state of affairs. If they would abolish the various arbitration awards and adopt an eight-hour day, the place ought to get on its feet more quickly. The minimum wage could rise and fall according to the. cost of living. 'Hie trouble is' that the people won’t spend when they are under a big taxation burden. If the taxation came down a peg it would be better iu every way.’’ The next elections, said Mr. Fuller, would certainly see a big swing against socialism. Mr. Lyons was probably the man who would come out on top. "Never has Australia been stirred so much to look after her political interests as at the present time,” Mr. Fuller concluded.