MR BRUCE’S APPEAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 7

MR BRUCE’S APPEAL

PARTIES PREPARE FEVERISHLY FOR ELECTION HOW BRITAIN SEES IT AUSTRALIA MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN PARLIAMENT AND “REDS" Although polling-day is nearly two months away, intense interest is being taken in Australia in the Federal elections. British papers declare that the issues are fundamental, “nothing less than the power and authority of Parliament as against the dictation of a handful of ‘Reds.’ ”

INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright SYDNEY, September 21. Intense interest has been raised throughout the Commonwealth over Mr Bruce’s sudden action. Both sides express themselves confident of victory. There has already been a rapid scatter of members to their electorates, and a whirlwind campaign opens immediately. It is now considered probable that the Federal elections will be held on November 14th. Polling will be compulsory, failure to vote carrying a penalty of £2. “GOVERNMENT, OR CHAOS” The Nationalists state that Mr Bruce’s appeal to the people will be on tbe issue of responsible and orderly government versus industrial strife and chaos. Other planks of the Nationalist platform are expected to he: Abolition of Federal ihcome taxation; overhaul of tbe arbitration system; a national scheme of insurance against old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; effective protection of industry; and a more comprehensive defence policy. Mr Bruce’s policy speech will be delivered at Dandenong on a date not yet fixed. 1 , Dr Earle Page, Leader of the Country Party, has issued a statement in which he says that the issue is whether the progress and prosperity of Australia are to advance on constitutional paths as approved by the majority, or whether chaos and industrial unrest are to rule at the will of a few! foreign extremists. LABOUR HOPES TO WIN SENATE Mr M. Charlton and other Labour leaders claim that Mr Bruce has seized the industrial crisis, involved in the seamen’s strike, to cloak the weakness and legislative failures of his Government. Mr Anstey, deputy-Leader of the Federal Labour Party, opening the campaign at Melbourne, declared that the Government had raised the deportation and strike issues to. screen its own black record of legislation and administration for the privileged and wealthy classes. Labour’s chief hopes centre in tbe Senate. Out of 18 Senators who must seek re-election, 17 are Ministerial supporters. The remaining . Senators not seeking election consist of eight Nationalists and eleven Labour, and the Labour Party has hopes of winning sufficient seats to give it a majority in the Senate, thereby creating a deadlock, and compelling Mr Bruce to advise a double dissolution within a few wee’ks of the new Parliament meeting. Mr E. G. Theodore,- ex-Premier of Queensland, has resigned his seat In the State Legislature, in order to contest a seat at the Federal elections. LABOUR SHORT OF FUNDS (Received September 21, 11.35 p.m.) Feverish preparations are being made by all parties for the Federal elections. Concern is felt in New South Wales Labour circles, on account of the shortage of fighting funds, which were largely depleted at the recent State elections. DEPORTATIONS None till after election? Bv TeleßTsuh —Press A«n.—(V.oyright (Received September 21, 8.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 21. At the Deportation Board, Mr Watt, counsel for the defence, applied for an adjournment of the proceedings until after the Federal elections.

“THE LAW, OR SOVIETISM** Australian and N.Z. Cable -A-ssociatiaw. GENEVA, September 20. In consequence of the dissolution, Senator Drake-Brockman, of West Australia, has cancelled his return via America, and is embarking on the Narkunda, arriving at Melbourne on November Ist. He adheres to his original intention not to seek re-election to the Senate. He is awaiting news from Australia concerning the seat which he hopes to contest for the House of Representatives. He is glad that the opportunity has arisen to decide whether Parliament or an extraneous, irresponsible organisation shall govern Australia, and whole-heartedly approves of Mr Bruce’s decision. He is confident that the electors will confirm his courageous policy. It is the choice of upholding the law or paving the way to the first instalment of Sovietism. THE ISSUES ARE FUNDAMENTAL Australian and N.Z Cable Association. LONDON, September 20. Mr F. C. Allen, chairman of the Shipping Federation, in a letter to the Press, asks: “Do the public realise that tli© so-called 6eamen’s strike is really a reconnaissance in force in connection with a general Communist offensive by direct action against the existing order of society? “Do they understand that the attempt to hold up our maritime communications, which haa failed in this country, but has met with greater success in the colonies, is of as dangerous a character as was the submarine warfare directed against the mercantile marine by our enemies ?* ’ The “Sunday Times” in an editorial says: “Every sane Englishman who is aware of the facts will give instant approval to Mr Bruce’s decision to seek a fresh mandate. It is not often that an election is fought over matters of such fundamental importance. Nothing I €6B is at stake than the power and authority of Parliament as against the dictation by a handful of ‘Reds.* 4 ‘lf the Australian Labour leaders saw. the position aright they would realise that the shipping strike, fomented in defiance of an agreement made by the seamen’s accredited representatives, threatens them, their ultimate authority, and the whole fabric of organised labour more than anythin" else.”- ” INTERESTED AND ANXIOUS /Received September 21, 7.15 p.m.) The “Daily Nows,” in an editorial, states: “Mr Bruoe has acted wisely and courageously. The result will be awaited with great interest, and some anxiety. The election will have important echoes far beyond the bounds of Australia. A victory for Labour, which would be essentially an assertion of the right to strike in defiance of definite trade union agreements, would everywhere be interpreted as a triumph for Communism.” “PRETEXT A LITTLE THIN’* The ““Westminster Gazette” states: “Mr Bruoe has chosen to dissolve. It will be interesting to see how far his calculations will be justified. There is a superficial resemblance between the issue and the factor decided at the last British election. In the ordinary course of events Labour seemed assured of a majority, but everything has been changed by Mr Bruce going to the country on th ©issue of Parliamentary control, as against extremist control outside Parliament. The pretext is a little thin. Even compulsory voting will not make it more substantial, butif Labour are beaten they will only have their own confused tactics to thank.”