FEDERAL ELECTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 7

FEDERAL ELECTION

MR SCULLIN’S POLICY SPEECH

WORK OF ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION.

TASK FOR NEXT PARLIAMENT.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 1. The Prime Minister, Mr J. H. Scullin, delivered his general election policy speech to-night. He claimed that the Commonwealth Government, though handicapped by a hostile Senate, an empty Treasury, and a heavy deficit, had been able to avoid default and also place Australia on the road to recovery. Mr Scullia went on to say that the next Parliament must concentrate on the work of economic reconstruction. The Government, if required, .was prepared to bring together the best brains of public-spirited men in all walks of life to adviso and assist in this task. Some means had to bo found to get men back into employment. Mr Seullin expressed the opinion that the ultimate solution of this problem would be found in international financial cooperation. The restoration of employment and the rehabilitation of trade and industry dwarfed every other issue. The Government would take up the question of the interchange of preferences and mutual arrangements for markets with Britain and the Dominions, and help search for a sounder monetary system than the one which already had failed. Mr Scullin urged the electors to take no notice of canards about the Government resorting to inflation. Such things were said years ago about the Fisher Labour Government. It was intended, however, to permit the Commonwealth Bank to function actively as a trading institution in competition with private banks, and to embark upon central-reserve banking, which was a notable feature of the financial developments of other countries. A central bank could tide the country over a period of financial stringency by mobilising the reserves of all banks and using them to the best advantage. The Government would continue to encourage Australian manufacture to the utmost limit by affording needful protection, and would aim at securing to British industry the main share of the import trade of the Commonwealth. Efforts would be made to build .up and strengthen the primary industries arid offer encouragement to others to take up rural pursuits. Although the high rate of exchange was very costly to the Governments of Australia, the present exchange rate would be maintained in the interests of the primary producers.

A JOINT ENDORSEMENT,

MR HUGHES INDIGNANT.

SYDNEY, Dec. 1

The United Australia Party has endorsed Messrs W. M. Hughes and N. Cowper for the North Sydney constitu. ency. The object of the joint endorsement is to. give the electors an opportunity of exercising their preference for either candidate as Mr Hughes lost considerable popularity in helping the downfall' of the Bruce Government in 1929. Mr Hughes is extremely indignant at the latest turn of events.

THE FLINDERS SEAT

NO COUNTRY CANDIDATE.

Received December 2. 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 1

“I learn with great appreciation that there is no intention on the part of the Country Party in Australia to oppose me for the Flinders seat,” said Mr S. M. Bruce to-day. “I had great difficulty in believing that there was any such intention, but the messages which reached London appeared to be so authoritative that I had no option but to believe them.”

MR SCULLIN’S POSITION

LONDON PAPER’S COMMENT.

LONDON, Dec. 1

The Morning Post, commenting on the Australian elections, says: “Mr Scullin courageously accepted desperate remedies when experience proved them to be necessary, but, unlike Mr MacDonald, he did not form a new Government. He is now faced both by a National Opposition and a bitter and irreparable split in his own party. For Australia’s sake it is perhaps not unfortunate that Messrs Lang and Theodore should be such, bitter foes, but it is decidedly awkward for Mr Scullin.”