AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1923, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

LABOUR MEMBER’S SPEECH.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, June 20. In the House of Representatives, Mr Anstey twitted Mr Bruce, with not daring to leave the Country section of his party in charge while he. was absent in England. He said that Mr Bruce claimed internal problems of 'Australia were subsidiary to, and could be solved only after, the problems of the Empire. Mr Bruce, vas going overseas to convert the British people to preference, but preference was only so much dope which would disappear at the first breath of reality. The real question was one of defence. Whether the people of Australia moved a hand oi" not they could be certain that navies and armies would move out to defend the Imperial capital invested in British, possessions. It was for Australia to defend herse.lf, not only against the Reds but against the moneyed f ewer which sought to enmesh the peoples of the world and extend the {••-ea of human misery. He disclaimed {.gainst the policy of preparing for further wars. It was sought to intimidate people and waste their substance in preparations for war, instead of using it to build up industry. The duty of Parliament was to lay economic foundations of defence, and rebuild civilisation. Mr Bruce, said the reason for adjourning Parliament was that Australia’s representatives must go to the Imperial Conference fully accredited. With Parliament open the leader of the Opposition could be making speeches declaring he (Bruce) h°-l not the confidence of the people. Regarding the. Empire’s foreign policy, his only object was that if Australia were to share in defence, she should have a voice in the framing of the foreign policy of the Empire. As to defence without a proper defence scheme Australia’s position was most i.recanous. She had staked her existence on a White Australia policy, and it was a challenge to the world which they must be prepared to maintain As to the Imperial preference, the proposal for Empire reciprocity was one which would benefit both sides.