AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1928, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

MR. BRUCE’S POLICY SPEECH

WAR ON EXTREMISTS Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Recd. October 9, 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, October 8. Mr Bruce opened the campaign at Dandenong to-night. His declaration of policy included the maintenance of White Australia, carrying out as far as financially possible the air policy recommended by Sir J. Salmond, reorganisation of the Tariff Board functions, repeal of the Coastal Clauses in the Navigation Act, steps towards unification of railway gauges, comprehensive scheme of national insurance, and unemployment insurance to be carried out by the States. LATER.

Mr Bruce’s speech also included a marketing system providing for the maintenance of regular high quality and continuity of supplies, the establishment of a division of maternal hygiene, regulation of life assurance and registration of all companies, and uniform divorce laws. The Government, he said, intended to pursue protective tariff in order to foster Australian industries. It would make any sacrifices for the maintenance of a White Australia, and would continue to oppose unrestricted migration, and would endeavour to keep Australia ninety-eight per cent. British. The war debt had been reduced by forty millions sterling, and the debt per head was now £6 per head less than in 1921-22. The sale of Commonwealth vessels was now saving the taxpayers half a million annually. Referring to the waterfront troubles, Mr Bruce stated that the Government intended to compel .the observance of law and order at any cost. There would be no compromise with the few extremists who were seeking to overthrow constitutional government (cheers). MR. THEODORE’S OPPONENT. SYDNEY, October 9. Jock Garden (Communist) intends to oppose Mr Theodore (Labour) for the Dailey seat at the Federal elections. „ LATER. It is ex-Senator Gardiner, not Jock Garden, who is opposing Mr Theodore for the Dally seat, as an Independent Labourite. WRITS ISSUED. CANBERRA, October 9., Writs are being issued to-day for the Federal elections on November 14. The Bruce Government during the last three years passed 138 Bills.

AN AMERICAN’S OPINION.

(Special to "Star.",)

AUCKLAND, October 9.

“What with durned Labour agitators, and peanut politicians, Australia is heading the right way for national bankruptcy,” said Mr James Hood, a Los Angeles manufacturer, who arrived from Sydney by the Marama this morning. “God Almighty made Australia a dog-gone fine country,” said the visitor reflectively, “but mon is doing his gol-darned best to put the monkey wrench into the cog wheel. Sure they’ve not got a federation of States over there. They’re simply a lot of glorified tribes full of jealousy. The people seem to be divided between those out of work and others living on Government pensions. Canberra is a white elephant. The public services are run at a loss. Industry is prostrated, and strikers are trying to rule the roost. “Yes, Australia is sure a fine country ” said the visitor, “and I’m mighty glad to be out of it. There’s one chap ove there called Bruce, and like the other chap called Moses, he looks like being the only one to lead them out of the wilderness.”