AUSTRALIAN PREMIERS

Evening Star, Issue 19617, 25 July 1927, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERS

A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 24. (Received July 25, at 1 a.m.) The Premiers’ Conference Iras concluded. Mr Bruce stated that the conference had proved highly satisfactory. Draft terras and the personnel of the Royal Commission which is to inquire into the national scheme of child endowment had been prepared. The Commonwealth Government had declined to meet the administrative costs of the States’ soldier land settlement scheme, but had offered to consider reimbursing the States for additional costs as against ordinary land settlement. The Commonwealth Government would immediately take up the matter with the States with the object of evolving general principles upon which a final settlement could be made.

Child endowment, how to bring it about, and its effect on industry and Australia generally will be considered by the new Royal Commission. The decision was made last month at a conference of State Ministers / with the Prime Minister (Mr Bruce). Mr Bruce said that the estimated cost, £22,000,000 a year, of endowing with 5s a week the children aged less than fourteen years of persons receiving less than £3OO a year could not bo borne by the Commonwealth. He suggested that the States should bring about child endowment by a uniform method of living wage fixing that considered family responsibility. The Premier of New South Wales (Mr Lang) dissented from the decision to appoint a Royal Commission, and demanded that Mr Bruce should immediately introduce child endowment as a Federal measure. There were several verbal passages, and at one stage Mr Bruce severely rebuked Mr Lang. Mr Forgan Smith (Acting Premier of Queensland) moved that the Federal Ministry appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into and report on:

The general question of the institution of a scheme of family allowances or child endowment, and particularly its relation to tho basic or living wage.

The proposal to alter the basis-for the determination of what constitutes a living wage, having regard not only to the value of the return duo to tho worker for his labor, but also to his family needs. The best method of altering the basis referred to, having in view—the necessity for the avoidance of dislocation of industry; (b) a return to the worker of a just measure_ of Mie wealth produced by him, having regard to the class or classes of workers who undertake family obligations, thereby assisting in building the nation. The method or methods of financing and giving effect to a scheme of family allowance or child endowment as a supplement to the living wage. The capacity of industry to contribute further to the wage fund for the purpose of providing additional sums, if required, towards the cost of such allowances.

(a) The limit of income, if any. beyond which it may be considered such allowances should not he paid: (b) the classes of persons (workers and/or others) who may he eligible for benefits.

The cost of allowances, including administration, and reserves, if required, and the most suitable method of .administration.

The incidence of any altered basis for a living wage, coupled with a scheme of family allowances or child endowment in relation to the economic life of the community, and any matter of public interest which may arise as a result of such alteration and the institution of such a scheme

The resolution was passed. Mr Lang dissenting, anti Mr liruco said that the Commonwealth would immediately draw up terms of reference on the lines suggested hy Mr Forgan Smith, and refer them to the States, with suggested members of the Commission.