POLICY ANNOUNCED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

POLICY ANNOUNCED

'AUSTRALIAN OPPOSITION SECURITY AND PROSPERITY (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY May 31. The election policy of the combined United Australia and United Country, Parties, which form the Opposition in Australia’s Federal Parliament, has been announced by the Opposition Leader, Mr A. W. Fadden. He summarised the Opposition policy under four brief headings—“ victory,* liberty, security, and’ prosperity.” Introducing a lengthy 18-point statement, Mr Fadden included the statement that the Opposition parties stood for “ a policy that will ensure work for all who are physically fit, and will impose fin obligation on them to work.” He added: “We see Australia’s future in freedom oft belief, freedom of the press, freedopi of speech, and freedom of individual initiative and enterprise.” One Australian army in the war, the maintenance of strong, permanent defence forces, and preference for exservice personnel after the war, were other points of the policy. Taxation reform on the pay-as-you-go principle, and a review of the effect of taxation upon persons with family responsibilities are promised. The s preservation of private enterprise and individual initiative is stressed as an essential basis of*a progressive post-war world, but the- programme also advocates the control of prices and the prevention of exploitation. The Government should create a finance organisation with adequate resources to assist industry in its readjustment from war activity to peacetime production. Suitable immigration under Government direction and assistance is regarded as necessary for the increased population which is seen ’as a vital factor in Australia’s future.' ’ The statement' outlines a “ comprehensive policy of social security to give freedom from want and ensuring the means of securing adequate food, clothing and housing.”