WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1943, Page 6

WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

“R.J.,” Sydney, writes: 4 What are we fighting for ? Replies to this question display a wide range of reasons such as “Freedom,” “Democracy”, “British Justice.’!’ “To Destroy Fascism.” The Nazis. Fascists, Japanese and Russians, are fighting with definite knowledge and, with perhaps the exception of the Italians, are fighting with fanatical zeal, courage and vigor. The Allies, and in particular Australians, have not any clear concept. Can the Allied forces and Australians be given an inspiring reason for fighting? Can the average Australian be shown or given reasons that will make one and all fight with equal zeal and vigor to our comrades, the Russians, who know what they defend and are fully conscious why they are fighting? Yes, here are five fighting reasons: 1. Nationalise all minerals and mining. 2. Terminate the sale of Crown land, replace all existing land titles held privately with perpetual leases 3. Nationalise the'medical, dental, optical, nursing and allied professions, hospitals and clinics.

4. Nationalise all essential services, water, sewerage, drainage, electricity, gas, railways, tramways, ’buses, taxi, aviation and inter-State shipping. 5. Nationalise all iron, steel and armament production organisations. Start immediately with the Commonwealth taking over:— 1. All breweries. 2. All tobacco manufacturing. 3. All sugar refining, as Federal monopolies, and follow by taking over all trading banks. Resume the above four industries by purchasing at strict exchange share valuation or asset value, whichever is the less. Pay the shareholders in cash with one restriction, the proceeds must be spent within the Commonwealth. The results would be an outstanding success to the Government Loan, second the inflationary effect would be unnoticed before war ceased and the troops were demobilised, and Australians would have something to fight for, something real, easily understood, good reasons. -—Common Cause.