AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

UNITED PARTY’S POLICY

RESTORATION OF SOUND FINANCE

MR J. A. LYONS’S APPEAL.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—copyright.) SYDNEY, Dec. 2.

The policy of the official Opposition, the United Australian Party, was set out in a speech delivered by Mr J. A. Lyons at the Sydney Town Hall tonight. Mr Lyons said that the first duty of the Federal Government should be to adhere unfalteringly to the principles of sound finance and avoid crazy schemes for creating unreal money. The Scullin Government had failed, until its hands were forced, to uphold the honour of the country, and had enormously aggravated the depression and unemployment. Moreover, Mr E. G. Theodore was still bent on demented schemes of inflation and the overthrow of the present methods of banking. He wanted to replace the present trusted banking system with a monopoly of banking under political control, which would prove calamitous. Mr Lyons appealed to the electors for a mandate, such as was given the new British Government, aiming at the restoration of confidence in Australia, meeting her difficulties with such action as the party considered necessary, and administering the finances in such a manner as would stimulate faith and stability. He added that an endeavour would be made to make Australia an attractive field for investment.

Encouragement would be given for the development of private enterprise and production, said Mr Lyons. Further Government economies would be effected in order to balance the Budget, and as soon as practicable the heavy load of taxation would be lightened, as it was realised that the whole question of providing employment depended upon the measure of relief afforded to the taxpayers. Relief would also be provided through the tariff to such industries as were affected by the excessive duties imposed bv the Scullin Government, but no sudden drastic changes would be made.

Reciprocal trade agreements would be made with other countries, and the fullest measure of preference would be given to Britain. The United Australia Party favoured an amendment of the Constitution in order to give expression to the demand for new States and a fuller recognition of the principle of local government. Mr Lyons outlined the party’s aims for the reform of arbitration, and concluded by declaring that the party was strongly of the opinion that Australia should accept her fair share of the defence of the British Empire, and, above all, provide adequate local forces to deal with any emergency.

EVILS OF INFLATION

FEDERAL TREASURER’S RECOGNITION.

Received December 3, 9.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 3

Mr E. G. Theodore, the Federal Treasurer, in a speech last evening pledged himself and the Government to take adequate measures to guard against the evils off inflation. At a later stage he said : “In formulating a new system of monetary control, I recognise and acknowledge the imperative need to guard against anything in the nature of uncontrolled inflation of the currency.” Mr Theodore added that the unemployed army could only become employed if the monetary supplies were increased. Australia had a golden opportunity to create its own credit.

REAL QUESTION FOR AUSTRALIANS.

CHOICE BETWEEN MR LYONS AND SCULLIN FACTION.

COMMENT BY MR S. BRUCE

Received December 3, 11.50 a.m

LONDON, Dec

“The real question for the Australians is: Are they prepared to place confidence in a Government led by Mr Lyons, or are they still willing to entrust their destinies to Messrs Scullin and Theodore after their record in the past two years?” said Mr Stanley Bruce in commenting on the policy speeches that have been delivered. Mr Bruce added: “Mr Lyons asked the people to give the Government power to take- whatever steps necessary to solve the great problems that will inevitably confront Australia and the rest of the world in 1932. Britain returned a Government with an overwhelming majority with such a mandate. Australia would do well to follow suit.”