AMBITIOUS PLANS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 238, 5 September 1940, Page 8

AMBITIOUS PLANS.

A AUSTRALIAN LABOUR GROUP. Received September 5,- 8.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 5. “Our party will stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain in the great cause for which she is fighting,” declared Mr J. Beasley, leader of the small group of Federal Labourites known as Non-Communists, in his election policy speech. Ho added that the British Government, however, should he asked whether sections of Australian troops overseas were essential to the current war plans. T o Labour Movement regarded the A.I.F. as the backbone of the Australian Army, and it was due to the Australian people that adequate troops should be available if war came to this country. His party favoured adequate reinforcements and the best ot equipment for the Australian troops, increases in their pay and allowances equivalent to the basic wage, and also £1 a week rental allowance, and proper provision for their dependants. Jt should be the a.im of the Government greatly to increase the strength of the Air Force with an objective of 10,000 machines and at least 500 aerodromes iocated at strategic points on t'he entire coast, while every dockyard should ba set to work for the construction of a flotilla. Mr Beasley advocated use of Commonwealth Bank credit in order to spoed up defence works, relieve the unemployed, and finance the primary producers, providing a guarantee of 3s 10-)d a bushel to wheatgrowers He urged the establishment of conciliation committees for the speedy settlement of disputes. , , f Mr Justice Evatt, who retired from the High Court Bench to contest a federal seat in the Labour interests, opening his campaign, said: nlain truth is that the .Premier (Mr Menzies) has failed in his high trust. His qualifications in peacetime are admitted. but when the blast of war blows he is not the man to lead Australia.”