LABOUR POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 10

LABOUR POLICY

lE. COETIN'S BEVIEW AU STRALI AN ELECT lON OPENING OF CAMPAIGN v By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, August 20 In a broadcast speech, the Labour leader, Mr. J. Curtin, outlined the policy of the Federal-Labour Party in fighting the pending general election. He reaffirmed his party s loyalty and its determination to play its part in the nation's war effort. "The Australian Labour Party," he said, "stands inflexible in its support of the British cause. We are upholding that which is just." War, Banking and Credit

The party's aim was the swift organisation of the nation on a defence footing. Circumstances as they arose would determine the extent of participation of Australian volunteers in the European warfare. The party would aim at the maximum industrial production through the absorption of all idle employable labour. , Mr. Curtin advocated national control of banking, and credit, interest rates and investments, to ensure an industrial and economic basis foE* national defence and security. He said Labour would retain the present emergency powers for post-war reconstruction, which would involve considered economic planning. Labour's policy was for a balanced organisation to ensure a continuous supply of muntions for all guns used by Australia, and reorganisation of the Department of Information so that its function would be to tell more and restrain less. Payment of Soldiers The pay for the Australian Imperial Force would be increased so that a soldier with a wife and one child would receive £4 7s 6d a week, instead of £3 17s as at present. The party would review the incidence of taxation to conform to the principle of the individual's ability to pay. Old-age and invalid pensions would be increased to £1 5s a week in view of the increased cost of living. The party would provide pensions for widows with dependent children of £1 a week for a widow and 10s for each dependent child. Mr. Curtin said they would aim at post-war reconstruction in the nature of a new social order based on democracy and the' rights of all men and women to enjoy the fruits of honest toil. There would be full recognition of trades unions, the safeguarding of Australian standards, and the maintenance of the rights of unionism. Country's Resources The Labour Party proclaimed it an imperative necessity, for the full use by the Australian Government of all productive and financial resources ~of the country. The old order of profit-making and personal interests must be subordinated to the necessities of ensuring the security of Australians and preserving inviolate the soil -which they occupied. To stiffen Australia's resistance and build up a striking force which would be invincible, everything must go into the common pool. Wealth, primary and manufactured materials, the physical strength and brilliance of trained minds must all be fully available to the Australian Government. Effort on Planned Lines Workers must realise, too, that the great effort they were called upon to make could best be made when guided along the most carefully planned lines. Mr. Curtin concluded by saying that the public interest would be paramount in the party's objectives. He did not refer to a National Government or to the proposed National War Council, but said a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Minister for the Army and another Minister, independent of any department, should be established to superintend the entire administration of the country's war effort. ...

Ho opposed the Government's petrol rationing plan, which, he said, he would "try to correct without ruthlessly disturbing the motor industry.'"