EMBAR~ GO: Not for publication or broadcast befo, 6,, 1 -p~ m.
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. MeRZies
The Government now has a majority in the House of
Representatives, and the probability of a stronger position in
the Senate than at one stage seemed likely.
Ministers met yesterday. They frankly reviewed the
election and its results, and the causes of the set-back the
Government sustained, particularly in Queensland and New South
Wales. Subsequently, we had a meeting with private members, and
were supported in the views which we had formed.
In this brief statement, therefore, I speak with the
authority of all Ministers and Members on the Government side.
. We acknowledge with gratitude and appreciation tbhe
support which we received from those who stood behind us in
difficult and unpopular policies, These policies have already
had, in importLnt fields of the national economy such as the
trade balances anc the arresting of boom inflation, notable
results. But we are quite prepared to face the facts of the
ele ction. It is clear that we have been opposed in the
electorates by many people normally our supportcrs. They
appear to have felt that our economic measures of last year were
too severe; that we acted in too much detachment from those
actually engaged in industry and banking and commerce generally;
that full weight was not given to human considerations; and
that we were not sufficiently conscious of unemployment. W4e
pleaded and plead ' not guilty' to these charges; but the verdict
of the jury almost went against us.
Facing the position in a realistic and democratic way,
we do not propose to take up rigid attitudes, or to ignore the
currents of public opinion. This does not mean that we will
abandon the twin policies of stability and national development
which we have been applying, with, we believe, benefit to
Australia, for the last 12 years. They are vital to true human
progress. But in the application of those policies, modificatia. is
of method and approach should clearly be made.
To this end, we will at the earliest practicable date
set up closer contac ts and discussions with leaders in the
manufacturing and business and banking fields, to secure their
first-hand views on their prob-lems and those of the men and
women employed by them, and their suggestions on how they can be
solved, i'Ie will particularly desire to discuss with
manufacturers the problem of tariffs and imports.
We continue to desire to have full employment, and
will give special and urgent attention to ways and means of
getting rid of such unemployment as now exists.
The question of Northern Development is one on which
there has clearly been great public confusion and misunderstandkr,
I hope that we may have an early opportunity of personal
discussions with State Ministers on this important problem.
We will of course, devote the closest attention to
the problems involved in the Common Market negotiations, with
the object of safeguarding the rural industries, whose
prosperity is so vital for the nation.
2,
Complete economic recovery depends upon the restoring
of private industry to full activity. As the spirit of private
enterprise is the dynamo of national progress, we will look to
the encouragement of that spirit by such means as are available.
The issue still remains a liberal economy or a socialist
economy and we will fight it out with vigour and determination.
We are confident that 1962 can be a great year of advancement
for all. These general observations will, of course, be given a
more detailed expression and application as soon as possible in
the New Year.
CANB.' JRA, December, 1961.