LABOUR POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 9

LABOUR POLICY

FEDERAL ELECTION OPENING OF CAMPAIGN DEFENCE AND OTHER AIMS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 'J*!, 11.30 p.m.) FHEMANTLE, Sept. 20 The Federal election campaign was opened by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. Curtin, at Fremantle to-day. He outlined the Labour Party's programme, stating that Labour stood for an adequate defence policy which would ensure the effective protection of Australia, but no compulsion must be exercised on 'any citizen for military service on any foreign battlefield.

Labour would maintain the Australian Navy, and strengthen the aerial defences of the country. There was need for more aerodromes, additional oil stores and exploitation of oil resources. Supplies for the armed forces must be assured. Munitions of all kinds must bo manufactured in Australia.

The Labour Party would legislate for pensions for widows with children dependent upon them. A sum of £6,000,000 would be earmarked for the initiation of unemployment insurance, also pensions, and the repatriation loans would be liberalised. The reform of the Commonwealth Bank would be begun in, order to enable it adequately to control the credit of the nation, regulate the rates of interest and direct general investment and currency relations with external markets.

Financial assistance would be provided for producers and a national wheat pool would be created with their approval.

Other aims of Labour would be afforestation, unification of the railways, protection of Australian industries and the introduction of a 40-hour working week wherever possible.