N.S. WALES POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18022, 22 February 1922, Page 7

N.S. WALES POLITICS.

THE COALITION POLICY.

OPENING UP THE STATE,

NEW RAILWAYS AND PORTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Feb. 21. Sir George Fuller, Leader of the Coalition of the National and Progressive Parties, delivered his policy speech at Wollongong last night, He .said that the public affairs of the State were drifting from bad to worse. Industries were languishing on account of heavy taxation and the heavier imposts threatened. His policy would be to attack the root cause of the trouble rather than find palliatives. He proposed to carry out a policy of decentralisation, construction of cross-country railways, and the opening of new por.

He advocated joint Federal and State action to develop and settlo Crown lands. His party also favoured closer settlement, improved methods of agriculture, and the encouragement of settlers from overseas. The large landholders must produce or subdivide and sell on equitable terms. He proposed to form voluntary wheat pools, to carry out schemes of reafforestation, and to initiate a hydroelectric scneme. He favoured the unification of the railway gauge. The taxation of the primary producer should bo based on an average return covering five years. He proposed to abolish tho Board of Trade and leave the fixing of the living wage to tribunals of employers and workers, which would also decide the number of hours to be worked He would not proceed with the motherhood, endowment scheme, as the obligation to support children belonged to the parents. He would devise a scheme of homing, providing for financial assistance.

He proposed that the Upper House should be reformed by reducing the number of members, who should have a fixed instead of a life tenure. Hf; was in favour of continuance of the proportional representation system of'election, and advocated the roduction of members' and Ministers' salaries by £275 a year. With the view of preventing the Speakership being hawked about, as in the last Parliament, he suggested tl. candidates should undertake not to accept nomination unless.with the approval of tho party leader.