BETTER WORKING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1935, Page 15

BETTER WORKING

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

MR. PAGE'S PROPOSALS

An important announcement for the better working of federation was made by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Page) at a Parliamentary luncheon to the Federal Cabinet in Perth recently, says the Melbourne "Age." The main points of Mr. Page's proposals were that, as the necessary amendments of the Constitution were difficult ,to obtain because of differing opinion, another way out had to be found. The best way would be to set up a kind of Parliament of Governments, which would co-opt Commonwealth Ministers, State Ministers, and economip and scientific advisers. Thus there would be direct connection with industries, and, in turn, closer contact between State and Federal Governments,.. between industries and representatives of the people, and between the people and the- Government. Mr. Page explained'that the plan now applied partially to finance, and was being applied to agriculture. It could be extended to embrace other public activities, such as transport, health, and social services. A scheme of national insurance would also be part of the plan. The arrangement need not necessarily be permanent, but could give relief pending permanent reconstruction. The Deputy Premier of Western Australia (Mr. Willcock) said later that the Premier (Mr. Collier) was going closely into the plan of Mr. -Page. He wanted to give it his undivided attention, so that he would be able to discuss the matter as promptly as possible with the Federal Ministry. The State Government was sympathetic to any plan which aimed at an effective working of federation. x VOLUNTARY BASIS. In his speech at the luncheon Mr. Page explained that po-operation in relation to social services could be carried on upon a voluntary basis, as was done in the case of the Loan Council. The financial agreement was actually carried out voluntarily by the Commonwealth and States for two years before it received the statutory authority by a constitutional amendment. Similar procedure could be adopted with regard to other matters. At present Australia was experimenting with a similar scheme of co-operation known as the Australian Agricultural Council, a body which would probably enable the Governments to lay down a national policy for agriculture, and provide a channel of continuous consultation between their advisers and industries, i . Continuing, Mr. Page said1 a revival of the Australian Transport Council, which was called into being for a brief period in 1929, was essential. Such authority could be established without additional. cost by using existing administrative machinery. It would make possible a reclassification of rates arid fares on a national basis, the issue of a standard book of time-tables and rates for the whole Commonwealth, a greater degree of standardisation of .permanent way plant and equipment, and schemes for co-operative working. The details of the administration would remain with the States. The important thing was to act in relation to a common policy and national design. At the same time, as it carried out progressive national transport reforms, it might be possible for the council to influence the adjustment of financial relationships of Commonwealth and States by the Commonwealth assuming liability for the dead weight of debt associated with live assets in railway concerns. __________