Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 19 September 1929, page 13


MR.' BRUCE'S POLICY SPEECH

?

"There is Only One Issue."

ELECTORS TO DECIDE INDUSTRIAL

QUESTION.

SERIOUS EFFECT OF DIVIDED CONTROL

Extremists' Domination of Labour.

In his policy speech at Dandenong (Vic.) last night, the Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) emphasised that there was only one issue in the forthcoming election-the question of industrial arbitration.

Mr. Bruce did not refer to any other topic, because, as he pointed out, the sole matter to be determined by the people had been definitely defined in Parliament, both by the Government and the Opposition.

He maintained that the timber workers' strike had been a direct and deliberate defiance of an award, and that the Federal Government, by reason of the limitations of the Constitution and its resources, had been powerless to afford protection to citizens against the many outrages that

had been committed.

"The fundamental principle of arbitration," said the Prime Minister, "is the loyal acceptance of awards, whether these awards be favourable

or not."

Having referred to the disastrous effects of divided industrial control, he emphasised the fact that the States' Premiers had unanimously (and none more emphatically than the Labour Premier of Western Australia) refused to hand over to the Commonwealth the necessary powers to enable it to become the one controlling authority.

"There is no foundation," declared Mr. Bruce, "for the allegation that the policy of the Government is to reduce wages. Such a charge is an insult to the intelligence of the workers of Australia. The effect of our policy will simply leave the regulation of industry generally to the

States." !