AUSTRALIAN ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN ELECTION.

MR. BRUCE'S POLICY SPEECH. DEALING WITH EXTREMISTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 1.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE. Oct. 5. The Prime Minister, Mr. S. M. Bruce, delivered a policy speech at Dandenong this evening. He said the present time was critical for Australia. lho country was at the turning point in its national historv and was on the eve of the greatest opportunity ever offered to a people. The idea! of the Government was to have a united people with' national vision, knowing no distinction between town and country, employer and employed. The Government was determined to defeat nefarious plans of the extremists in their midst and, armed with the mandate of the people, it would take all necessary steps to accomplish this end. The time had now arrived when the Commonwealth Parliament should exercise its powers to pass effective legislation to deal with offences against the peace of the Commonwealth, including action against those persons who were actively engaged in propaganda to overthrow the Constitution. Referring to defence, Mr. Bruce said Australia would support every practical effort made by the League of Nations to guarantee the world's peace and bring about disarmament. But until this was brought about the Government stood for the greatest measure of defence, compatible with the financial resourcos of the nation. The Prima Minister then outlined the Government's naval and army programme, The latter contemplated the provision of five infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions, with the necessary munitions and equipment. The Air Force would also be substantially expanded Referring to Australia's relations with England, he said his Government stood whole heartedly for the maintenance of the British Empire. It only asked one thing, and that was to be treated as a partner of and not as an appendage to the Empire. Dealing with domestic policy, Mr. Bruce stated that his Government was determined to provide the people with a standard of living which would give workers reasonable comfort and happiness. These things could not be accomplished unless there was industrial peace. Unfortunately there were in Australia men who were striving to foment industrial strife, class war and direct action. The influence of these men must be ruthlessly destroyed.