BRITISH LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1945, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR

Election Policy GREAT SOCIALISATION PLAN. (Rec. 12.42.) LONDON, April 20. “With victory assured in the European war and Labourites resolved that Jaoanese barbarism must be defeated as’ decisively as Nazi aggression and tyranny, the people who will,have won both struggles deserve and must be assured a happiei future than face.i so many after the last war.” ' This statement is made in the Labour Party’s declaration of election policy. It adds: Hardfaced men who did well out of the last war, and their political friends, kept control of the Government, banks, mines, big industries, most of the press, the cinema. Similar forces are working to-day. They were unable to obtain the same profits from this war, but grand pickings are still obtainable from the Japanese war. Therefore, Labourites do not propose to impose controls for- control’s sake, but tx pre--vent profiteering and exploitation. Labourites stand for order as against chaos, which would follow the end of all public control. The nation needs a tremendous overhaul —the modernisation and re-equipment of homes, factories, machinery, schools and social services. Labourites are prepared to achieve,, it by drastic replanning, keeping a firm, constructive hand on the whole productive , machinery. The Party will, put the community before the sec’ional interests of private business, and plan from the ground up, giving an appro- ' priate place for constructive private , enterprise. The whole of the na- ) tional resources must be fully employed; and production raised to the highest level and related to purchasing power, which will be maintainable at a high level through good wages, social services, insurance and planned investment in essential . industries. Houses, schools, hospitals „ and civic centres will occupy a large field for capital expenditure. The Bank of England must be brought under public' ownership,. and other bank operations harmonised with in- ; dustrial needs. T'lurne must be pub- ? lie ownership of the fuel, rower, iron, steel industiies, .and inland transport, there must oe pu’ffic supervision of monopolies, and cartels, and a firm programme for exports, with State help if necessary. There must be suitable economic price controls, bet- . ter organisation of Government Departments, planned agriculture, and a continuation of certain Food Ministry activities, such as bulk purchases from abroad. Labourites will consolidate in peace the wartime association between the British Commonwealth and the United States and Russia, and join all the United Nations in forming an international organisation capable of keeping the peace. Labourites in political and ; military economy will work to seek to promote mutual understanding and cordial co-operation between the Dominions, India’s advancement to selfgovernment, and planned progress fox- - the colonies. , 1 The Chairman of the Party s Policy Committee, Mr. Herbert Morrison at a press conference, said Labour’ will fight the election on the ■ principles, firstly, how best can Britons get a good, secure living, with - a good life; and secondly, how best can Britain play a part in building a peaceful, prosperous world.