CHANGE AT HAND

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1935, Page 11

CHANGE AT HAND

VICTORIAN POLITICS

REFORM IN THE U.A.P.

Recently Mr. Macfarlah, M.L.A., who is one of the best-known members of the United Australia Party in Victoria,, startled the Conservatives by a speech at Sandringham, says the "Sydney Morning Herald." Mr. Macfarlau stated bluntly that he could see nothing but doom ahead of the U.A.P. unless its conservatism were replaced by a modern and progressive policy. "We go before the electors with practically no platform," he said. The first impression caused by this speech wai= that Mr. Macfarlan and some of the U.A.P. members representing country constituencies were planning a breakaway, or a departure to the Government benches of the United Country Party. But speculation of this kind, as well as being mischievous, was misleading; and Mr. Macfarlan hastened to assure supporters of the UA.P. that his plans were for reform, not rebellion. The truth of the matter is that there, are conflicting elements with the U.A.P. in Victoria; the Conservatives, the Liberal wing, and the.. country members. The problem is to reconcile these separate interests. Little was published about the pre-sessional meeting of the party; but it may be assumed that agreement was reached that more progressive methods should be employed by the -party in opposition. One of the objectives which the Liberals support is the reduction of working .hours without a, reduction of wages; and discussion upon that matter already appears to have taken an active form.

In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Holland, the Labour member for Flemingtori, has moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the question of a shorter week in industry. Much to the delight of the Labour Party, this motion was given the support of all parties in the House, Mr. Macfarlan setting the ball rolling after Mr. Holland had spoken. Mr. Macfarlan declared that nothing terrible had happened when the hours of working were reduced from ten a day to eight a day, and that there was no need .to fear a national disaster if they were further reduced to six or seven a day. It was not surprising that startled Labour members should have invited Mr. Macfarlan to go over to their corner of the House. However, his Liberalism did not stop at hours. He talked, of unemployed insurance, and said, without qualification, that it was in the interests of the community that wages should be increased. Colonel Harold Cohen" and the Acting Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Kent Hughes) also supported the motion; and, in a mood of mutual good-fellowship, the House appointed a committee of seven to study the issues raised in the debate. MONETARY SYSTEM. Flushed with this success, Mr. Holland may have thought that the Opposition would support his motion for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the monetary system of Victoria; but he has mistaken. He did not even have the Government behind him. The Premier (Mr. Dunstan) very properly pointed out that the investigation of banking in Australia was a matter for the Commonwealth, not for individual States.. Still, the debate suggested that the feeling of the House is mildly hostile to a deflationary policy. Mr. Dunstan hinted that he had little sympathy for such a policy hinv self. That admission, however, was unnecessary; for the Premier's plan for returning the unemployed to work by a generous programme of loan undertakings shows that he is all for boldness Where he will get the money from is another matter; but Mr. Dunstan is nothing if not optimistic. This note of optimism was sounded clearly when Mr. Dunstan explained his programme to the House. He talked of a bold unemployment relief works scheme, providing work for the unemployed under award conditions, and creating for the community assets in.the form of public works. He has yet to convince the Loan Council that he is entitled to the money to finance these projects. Sir Stanley Argyle would have liked to have .been as vigorously progressive as Mr. Dunstan contemplates being; but he had been in the Treasury long enough to know that money could not be drawn from the thin air. Mr. Dunstan will have a hard task in persuading the financial experts that' his political aspirations should be financed to the last penny. The results of his attack upon the policy of the central bank will be awaited with interest. , The public have accepted without demur the Marketing Bill, which introduces no novel principle. Legislation to control the marketing of primary products is not new to Australia; and Mr. Hogan's Bill runs along orthodox lines. It provides for the appointment of marketing boards to control and market such products as the producers desire. There is no doubt that intelligent planning in marketing primary products is necessary li! the producer is to get.a fair return. Planned economy is the latest fashion, and at least it may be said that in many countries systematic selling has improved the financial position of tne producer. ■