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The Policy of the SWel's i
dovernmeut
THE PREMIER AT CASTERTON.
The Premier of "Victoria (the- Hon. "W..
Shiels) met with an enthusiastic- reception
at Casterton on Saturday when unfolding
the Ministerial policy to- be submitted to,
the electors of "Victoria, at. the ensuing
general elections. After referring; to
what the Government had already
done-. in economising expenditure,,
and the depression how existing, not
only in Victoria, bat throughout the
worl<i,Mx- Shiels stated lis government pro
posed no raids on capita!, ma, excessive
taxation, no class legislation, but, by
peaceful and practical management,the rail
ways- and public works should, bemadeself
supporting.. They- did.hot propose-whole
sale dismissals in the Hivil Service, but
the officers of the various: departments
should calf up their patriotism and sub
mit to reductions, in their salaries as busi
ness miens'" servants had to- do.. In the.
proposed scheme for reirenchment.in the
Public: Service, smaller salaries- would be
left untouched.. ThoseJbetween £200 and
£500 would be reduced 2£. per cent.;
from £500- to £750;, 5-per cent.,, and-above
£750,74 per cent. Even himself, collea
gues, Members of Parliament,. Railway
Commissioners, Public Service Commis
sioners, as well as other public servants,
would all be included in the; same, cate
gory. He reckoned ttis would bring
about a- saving.-,of .'£43,000-per annum.
They proposed "a' large saying in-the
working of the railways,, and be- coir
Bidered they should save; £250,-000' iier.
annum, principally -by reductions in, train,
mileage. In the, postal department, there
had been a greatless. which was due to-the:
penny postage. He would! not state
exactly what forrm was proposed- for-new
taxation, because- if the castomiduties were
announced, alt goods; would be-rushe<tout
of bond, and they wopld lose; the duty.
The land- tax he: considered -was "unjust
as it stood at present, and. should
be abolished or reduced,, and a
stock tax submitted: to equalise- matters.
The Government intended to impose an
income' tax in necessity and justice, be
cause indirect taxation pressed heavily on
the poorer classes. The tax would be
limited to a certain; amount, and they
would discriminate between property, in
come, and business. "When the Govern
ment could show a good.balance-sheet, and
make the two ends meet, they would go in
for progression of public works and also
new railways. He intended to introduce
a Conciliation Act with the object of pre
venting strikes in the future. The i
Premier then dealt with the settle
ment of labourers in rural districts. He
approved of the working Homestead
League as in vogue, in South Austra
lia, and eulogised the land systems
of France and Italy, where the
land was divided into. small holdings.
The Government proposed to introduce
a system of small holdings with deferred
payments at 25 to 30 years; half-yearly
payments with interes; added. The
government also proposeJ a labour depart
ment for the purpose of. bringing supply
and demand together. - Butter bonuses
would also he continued en a modified scale
for approved qualities. Bonuses would
also be continued in regard to frnit and
wine. He justified the one-man-one-vote
as a portion of the Government policy ;
and concluded an able speech at midnight.
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