AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 September 1937, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

A POLICY SPEECH PROPOSED LEGISLATION. Cteßß Association Electric TelecraDh —Copyrigbv HOBART, Tuesday. .Delivering a policy speech, in his .electorate at Deloraine to-night, the Federal Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) said the Government’s defence policy was a balanced one, providing for all aspects of Australian defence, the co-ordination of peace services, and the British Navy. The sum spent on defence in the past four years totalled 31i millions. The efficiency of the Air Force had been increased tenfold, and the permanent personnel-trebled. ■The Government contemplated an extension of trade treaties with foreign countries if beneficial arrangements could be evolved, but the policy of Imperial preference would' be maintained, stated Mr Lyons. A plan of assisted migration from Britain, along pre-de-pression lines, with nominated passages, would be revived. The Government, if returned, would give effect to the Banking Commission’s recommendations by establishing a mortgage bank department of the Commonwealth Bank, which would fill a gap in the banking structure, stated the Prime Minister. Finance would also be provided for secondary indus--Iries, but under no circumstances would the Government allow party political control of the bank.

Steps would be taken next session to create a system of national insurance which would provide benefits for three million people and their dependents, said Mr Lyons. Mr Lyons emphasised the Government’s desire to facilitate the Empire flying boat and trans-Tasman air mail services, to ensure a wider outlook for rural producers, more and better scope for the nation’s youth, and greater care of infant life. He claimed that employment had reverted to the pre-de-pression level. The Commonwealth had never been more prosperous.