STATE ELECTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21197, 25 September 1930, Page 7

STATE ELECTIONS

AUSTRALIAN PARTY MR HUGHES OUTLINES POLICY COUNTRY BELIEVED SOLVENT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 1.10 a.m.) Sydney, September 24. Mr W. M. Hughes, M.P., as leader of a small political group styled the Australian Party whose candidates forthcoming at the State elections number about a dozen, outlined his policy to-night. All references to Sir Otto Niemeyer’s mission were satirical. He denied that wages in Australia were too high, and declared that these were fixed by arbitration according to price levels. He said that the Australian Party would resist any attempt to reduce the standard of living and would also see to it that the rights of both capital and labour were adequately protected. Mr Hughes contended that Australia was as solvent to-day as ever, proof of which was disclosed in all the bank bal-ance-sheets. Credit should be mobilized in order to assist private enterprise. The overdraft rate should be 64 per cent., which would stimulate industry. Taxation should be substantially reduced, and business and company management called for thorough re-organization. The Australian Party would abolish all Legislative Councils, greatly reduce the membership of Legislative Assembles, and abolish State Governors. FINANCIAL PACT PREMIERS OF AUSTRALIA. NECESSITY FOR RATIFICATION. Sydney, September 24. -The Leader of the Country Party, Mr Buttenshaw, delivered a policy speech at Candobolin. He declared that the only issue before the electors was the ratification of the Premiers’ financial agreement which was the only way out of the present economic and financial crisis. The Country Party’s watchword had always been and still was to reduce the cost of production. He promised to introduce a better method of marketing primary products, more especially abroad. The State Premier, Mr Bavin, speaking at Bondi said that unless the Premiers’ financial pact was honoured he could not see any way, at present, of paying public service salaries towards the end of the financial year. Mr Lang’s foolish promises were merely humbugging the people. There was an ugly scene after the meeting when Mr Bavin was surrounded by an angry mob and almost jostled into his car. The police guarded the gates leading to the hall, and prevented a large crowd from gaining admission. WESTERN AUSTRALIA BUDGET SURPLUS FORECASTED. GOVERNMENT’S DRASTIC ECONOMIES. Perth, September 24. A feature of the West Australian Budget submitted by the Premier, Sir James Mitchell, is a surplus of £5,628. The estimated revenue is £10,104,550 and the expenditure £10,098,922. Sir James Mitchell said the balancing of the Budget was a gigantic task, owing to the Loan Council not providing funds which were originally promised for State commitments. Drastic economies were, therefore, contemplated. All civil servants and politicians’ salaries would be reduced and there would be increased totalizator tax -and entertainment tax and a special tax of 3d in the £1 for hospitals, collectable bystamps, on wages and salaries. The Premier estimated that it would be necessary to borrow- £4,000.000 to pay accounts overdrawn last June, while it would also be necessary to increase the revenue this year by £BlB,OOO, of which £lOO,OOO represents an increase in exchange. The Commonwealth was being asked to increase the disabilities grant to £450,000.