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Ho o 7 6.
Fix this textBro adcas t by the Rt» Hon. R. G. Menzles, K.C., M.P .
Fix this text9th July, 19 4-5 »
Fix this textRURAL POLICY,
Fix this textThe new Federal Parliament may have a good deal to do with the
Fix this textPeace Settlement, and the great and complex problem of reconstruction®
Fix this textAt this stage only the outlines of any constructive thinking can be
Fix this textstated» But at least we may clear our minds as to the general
Fix this textprinciples to be pursued» We shall face our future difficulties more
Fix this textboldly if we have some understanding of their nature and have some
Fix this textideal system in our minds o
Fix this textTonight I want to speak on rural reconstruction: The problem
Fix this textof our rural Industries is in every sense primary* In view of absurd
Fix this textmisrepresentations of my own attitude, I want to make it clear that in
Fix this textmy opinion there cannot be a prosperous Australia with a bankrupt
Fix this textcountryside ; there can be no healthy badance in our social and
Fix this textpolitical structure if there is a depopulated countryside ; there can
Fix this textbe no adequate contribution by Australia to a revival of world trade
Fix this textand a restoration of living standards unless strong primary industries
Fix this textare able to export their products competitively to the world’s markets*
Fix this textHot one of these things can be achieved merely by annual
Fix this textpalliatives or grants» Vie must have long-range plans and ideas if
Fix this textstability and contentment and good living are to come to those who
Fix this textwork on the land« What must our objectives be? It is important to
Fix this textformulate them with care in truly Hational terms. As I see them, they
Fix this textare ‘~(a) the raising of the standards of rural labour so that the
Fix this textattraction of high wages in the cities may diminish and the drift of
Fix this textyoung countrymen to the cities be arrested;
Fix this text(b) the reduction of the effects of seasonal fluctuations by a
Fix this textreally National attack upon the problems of water storage and distrib-
Fix this textution, of wind and water erosion, and of the fullest and most scientific
Fix this textuse of the soil;
Fix this text(c) the Improvement of the amenities of country life by cheap
Fix this textelectric power, good roads, efficient transport, vastly better
Fix this texteducational facilities, and the like;
Fix this text(d) the cheapening of production by extended scientific training
Fix this textand research, the co-operative use of special and expensive plant, the
Fix this textreduction of delivery costs, and other similar measures;
Fix this text(e) the raising of the (over all' price level of primary
Fix this textproducts by Improved markets and, where necessary, stabilisation
Fix this textschemes to enable the Improved standards of rural labour to be sustained
Fix this textand the efficient rural industries themselves to be conducted on a
Fix this textreasonable basis of profit*
Fix this textLet me elaborate some of these principles briefly: It is
Fix this textuseless to think that we can solve the country problem by using a few
Fix this textphrases suchas ”the drift to the city” or ”decentralisation”» There
Fix this textwill always be a drift to the city if most of the primary industries
Fix this text(wool growing is one notable exception) are unable to pay wages to
Fix this texttheir employees which compare with the wages available in city factories ,
Fix this textGood farms require good and experienced farm workers and must be
Fix this textenabled to retain them* The wheat farmer, the dairy farmer, will at
Fix this textonce retort: ”How on earth can we pay more? We have a hard enough
Fix this textbattle as it is,” I agree* But the solution is not to depress rural
Fix this textwages; for that will ultimately denude the country of competent
Fix this textworkers» The solution Is to aim at efficient and adequately
Fix this textremunerated rural industries which can afford to keep good and
Fix this textexperienced and efficient and properly paid workers®
Fix this textAgain, the gamble/
Fix this textI
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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