FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 19064, 6 October 1925, Page 5

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

AUSTRALIA’S CRITICAL HOUR THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY INDUSTRIAL PEACE THE AIM SECRET BALLOT FOR UNIONISTS TO BE PROVIDED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and .N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, October 5. (Received October 6, at 1.30 a.m.) Mr Bruce delivered his policy speech at Dandenoug. He said ; “Tho present time is critical for Australia. _ The country is at a turning i)oiut in its national history, and is on the eve of the greatest opportunity ever offered to a people. The ideal of tho Government’s policy is to have a united people with national vision, knowing no distinction between town and country, or ns between employer and employee. “The Government is determined to defeat tho nefarious plans of the extremists in our midst, and, armed with the mandate of the people, it will take all the stops necessary to accomplish this end. Although under the Constitution there is the King’s pence of the Commonwealth, which co-exists with the King’s peace in each of the States, to date there has been little need for the Commonwealth to take action for its preservation. The time has now arrived when the Commonwealth Paraliament should exercise its powers to pass effective legislation to deal with offences against the peace of the. Commonwealth, including action against persons who are actively engaged _ in propaganda to overthrow tho Constitution.”

Referring to defence, the Pvimc Minister said that Australia should support ©very practical effort made by the League of Nations to guarantee the world’s peace and to bring about disarmament. But until this was brought about the Government stood lor ilio greatest measure of defence compatible with the man power and the financial resources of the nation.

Mr Bruce then outlined the Government's naval programme (already announced), and ’in addition the army programme, which contemplates the provision of five infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions, with the necessary munitions and equipment. The Air Force would also be substantially expanded. Referring to relations with England, Mr Bruce said: “The Government stands whole-heartedly ior the maintenance of the British Empire. It only asks one thing, and that is to be treated as a partner, and nob as an appendage to the Empire.” Dealing with the domestic policy, the Prime Minister stated that the Government was determined to provide the people with a standard of living which would give the workers reasonable comfort and happiness; but these things could not ho accomplished unless there was industrial peace. Unfortunately, there were in Australia men striving to foment industrial strife, class war, and direct action. The influence of these men must he ruthlessly destroyed. Dealing with the question of working hours, Mr Bnieo said: “The Government desires a solution on a basis fair to the workers, hut it considers that tiie hours should be uniform throughout the Commonwealth. It therefore proposes to suggest that this> question should be submitted to the Commonwealth and State .Arbitration Court judges, with a. _ view to their making a recommendation for uniform hours for the Commonwealth, which should be considered by a conference of representatives of the Commonwealth and State Governments. “The question of child endowment is also a national one, and the Government proposes to roier it_ to the Commonwealth and State Arbitration Court judges, with a view to a similar policy being evolved. “The Government will also introduce legislation for a national' scheme of social insurance covering the questions of old age and invalidity and unemployment. The Government will introduce a measure for the purpose of utilising the of the Commonwealth Bank in giving assistance, not only to manual workers, but to the people of small means to acquire their own homes on the basis of repayment extending over a-long period of years. “ The Government stands firmly for the principle of peaceful settlement of industrial disputes by arbitration, and will legislate for the restoring to the trade unionist the control over Ins union, its officials, and its funds bv means of the provision of a. secret ballot. The democratic control of unionism will thus be restored to the workers. The powers of the Arbitration Court will also be strengthened by means of legislation providing for judicial appointments for life, vesting the court with judicial power to enforce its awards, and better control of the parties under its jurisdiction. Provision will also be made to prevent the overlapping by the Commonwealth and State industrial authorities.” Dealing with the question of transport, ho said: ‘‘The Government proposes to hold a further conference of the States, with a view to arriving at a scheme for the provision of a uniform railway gauge.” Outlining the policy of national road development, the Prime Minister said that the Government would make available £20,000,000, to be spread over ten years, for the development of roads. This would be derived from a tax on motor users. The Government would also call a. conference of States and the Commonwealth, with a view to laying down a national policy for the development and control of the ports and harbors of Australia. Mr Bruco concluded: “The paramount issue of the present campaign is the maintenance of law and order and the supremacy of constitutional vernment over the efforts of wreckers Who would plunge the country into ®haos, misery, and class war.”