LABOUR RULE

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 9

LABOUR RULE

Blessing 'in Tasmania When a Labour Government first assumed office in Tasmania there was much misgiving, in what were then regarded as Conservative circles, as to the legislation of the future, writes the Hobart correspondent of “The Standard.” Time has shown conclusively that those misgivings were unwarranted and that the achievements of successive Labour Governments have'been highly beneficial to the State. The position of the working man in Tasmania is vastly different from the conditions that prevailed a score of years ago, and, despite the evil forebodings of anti-Labour critics, the prosperity of the State has steadily improved with the passing of the years. In innumerable instances the legislation passed has conferred benefit on all sections of the community. The fact that Labour has been in power for the past five years, and is certain to remain in office a further two years, indicates the measure of confidence’ possessed by the present Government.

Two features in the Labour policy are of outstanding importance. The benefit these have conferred and will continue to confer on the State indicates a measure of foresight and a general sympathy with the public that have gained general approval.

ELECTRICITY IN PUBLIC CONTROL. The first of these was the taking over in the interests of the State of the hydro-electric enterprise. . This particular enterprise proved invaluable to the capital. The Government Hydro-Electric Department which controls this power is the most prosperous unit in the public service and its operations show a substantial annual profit. MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR ALL. Another project inaugurated by a Labour Government that has recently come into operation is a State medical scheme. The pioneering life of every new land is beset with difficulties and attended by hardship and during the early life of settlement such disabilities may be inevitable. It is the Labour contention, however, that the hardships of early days should not be of permanent duration and, where opportunity offers, efforts are made to provide all possib'e amenities. One of the outstanding disadvantages that confronts a pioneer settlement is the paucity of medical necessities. With a view to overcoming this widespread disability the _ presen> Labour Government, of which until his death Mr A. G. "Ogilvie was Premier, inaugurated its medical schem*, and although the enterprise has onlybeen in operation a few years its benefits are already highly appreciatr ed. The State has been divided into districts and a resident doctor is stationed m the most central portion of eac i district. These doctors receive £7OO per annum, with free house, and their attendance on both rich and poor is free. Certain restrictions are

placed on night calls otherwise the doctors might be calleiv out at all hours of the night for most trifling ailments.

In some of the isolated parts of Tasmania lives have at times been lost owing to inability to obtain medical assistance, and many persons hesitated going on to the. land in sparsely settled districts owing to the absence of medical attention when urgently needed. As a result of the presence of doctors in outlying parts, coupled with the assistance rendered by bush nurses, the terrors that caused settlers to waver in the past no longer exist. Credit for this remarkable transformation is due to Labour administration.

These are only two of the many undertakings introduced in Tasmania by Labour Governments, but they serve to show that the predictions of ruin as a result of such administration were badly founded. Reforms are being effected in many public enterprises that are proving highly beneficial to the public and the entrance of Labour into public life has been an unmixed blessing.