Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 17, 1934. AUSTRALIAN GENERAL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 4

Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 17, 1934. AUSTRALIAN GENERAL ELECTION.

The leaders of all four of the groups in the Commonwealth Parliament have now made their opening policy speeches in the campaign for the general election, which will take place in about a month’s time. The Lyons Government. which is maintaining its association, for at least electoral purposes, with the Country I’artw faces the electors with certain ad. vantages which may enable it to retain office for a time. For one thing there is a split in the ranks of Labour. Mr J. T. Lang and his followers in New South Wales are at variance with the Federal Labour Party, and their group in the House of Representatives is led by Mr Beasley, who last night made an independent policy speech at a Sydney suburb on their behalf. It is an undoubted fact.'that. the best asset of the anti-Labour elements on this occasion will be a politicion whose rise to eminence was due entirely to his identity with the Labour

Movement. The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Yyons, broke away from the Federal Labour Party over the financial issue, and completed his orvn plan of loan conversion on a gigantic scale under the auspices of what he since has fashioned into the United Austra. lia Party. Nobody doubts the ability of Mr Lyons, who indeed acted as leader of the Labour Go vernment whilst Mr SculLn was absent in London, and then raised objection when there was question of a modificatipn of the Premier’s Plan to meet the exigencies of unemployment and limit the reduction of civil service salaries. Dr Earle Page would have had no unity plan for this election only that he reckons Mr Lyons finds favour with the employing and owning classes generally. The

Country Party leader would sacrifice Australia’s secondary industries to any extent if he thought that it might avert any restriction of exports, and in any ease has stipulated a tariff reduction as the price of co-operation. Mr Lang has been appointed campaign director by his followers for this election, and that is taken as an indication of Mr Lang’s eventual entry into Federal policies. It is certainly a time when Labour ought to have political unity, and Mr Lang should be better able to attain any ambition he may have of leading a Federal Government by accepting meantime the leadership ol Mr Scullin and having all combine to present an unbroken front to the Governmental elements at the ballot box. The Lang Labourites, however, are

meantime hostile to the Federal Labour Party. In the face of that devision the Lyons Government which has admittedly attained some success financially, especially as compared with our own administration—is able to put up a case in favour of continuing its policy. All Parties are agreeable to assist the rural industries, but, while the Lyons Ministry is well aware of the advantage of the protective tariff, it has already altered it in a way that is adverse to secondary industry, and is evidently disposed to go further in that direction to meet the Country Party. The bhmt truth, however, is that the basis of what recovery Australia has made from the slump was laid down by Mr Scullin and his Government. He is well warranted in making that claim. .He not only co-operated

effectively with the late head of the Commonwealth Bank, but was in power when the Premier’s Plan was adopted, and also followed at the London Premiers’ Conference prior to that in Ottawa a more prudent course than was adopted on the latter occasion. Above all has Mr Scullin stood for the protection of Australian manufacturing industry, but he is equally determined in favour of banking reform. He points out that the Commonwealth Bank, has never been allowed to do half the good it could do for Australia. The reason is that its directorate has come gradually but surely under the domination of the private trading banks, and has functioned to their advantage

more than to that of the people as a whole. He would extend its usefulness by putting it on a level for all practical purposts with the private banks, instead of al lowing it to remain mainly a central bank only. However, it may lie that Labour shall no* gain a majority at the coming election, but it is certain 'hat the ■strength of Labour in the Federal Parliament is going to be considerably increased. The Government will lose ground, but with ils composition with the ('on . try Party it will possibly retain a majority. It is true that Labour stands united on certain principles, but differs over parties. Labour stands for banking reform and for the protection of national industry: for the restoration of wages and a higher living standard; and for an al] round development of the national territories and resources. So long as it is faithful to these objects. it can afford to regard with equanimity any temper ry retention of rule by its opponents, because the principles for which Labour is standing in Australia I are bound to be vindicated hi the I long run. In other words, to the ‘ xtent the present administration mores or flouts those principles it must fail, and the vested in terests in league with the Govern, meat side will see to it that sectional aims will be furthered al lhe expense of national aims. La hour is starting handicapped ir the contest, but it will in spite oi that pul up a creditable showing