THE SILENCE OF DR. JOHN HEWSON

by Eric D. Butler
The majority of Australians would, if asked in simple English, agree that the Hawke Government should be removed from office. The Hawke Government has done enormous damage to Australia, financially, economically, and socially. But what is the alternative? After a long delay, Dr. John Hewson, Opposition leader, has presented his "vision" for the future. But when one wades through the mass of material provided by Dr. Hewson and his advisers, including the projections concerning taxation under a General Services Tax (GST), it becomes clear that Dr. Hewson has no intention of addressing the basic issues confronting the nation.
Much of the Opposition's propaganda in favour of the GST seeks to tap into the strong anti-government feeling, trusting that this will translate itself into the view that, while it may be difficult to assess what benefits, if any, will eventually flow from the GST, at least it offers a change which may bring improvements.

As even some Opposition Members such as former National Party leader Ian Sinclair, admits there will be winners and losers under the GST. But there is no suggestion that the total taxation burden will be reduced. The best that can be offered is that the proposed taxation changes will be "revenue neutral". Those who believe this are ignoring realities. There is no known way that total taxation can be prevented from increasing in a nation, which accepts as holy writ the present system of debt finance.

The suggestion that Australia's basic economic problems can be resolved by re-organising the tax collection system is like attempting to prevent a leaking ship from sinking by re-arranging the deck chairs. The Australian ship of State is sinking under a deluge of debt. Adding to the debt problem, now threatening to eliminate at least one-third of Australia's primary producers is a flood of cheap foreign primary products. The current rural crisis, intensified by drought conditions over most of Eastern Australia, is the worst in the nation's history. What is Dr. Hewson's programme for preventing more farmers being forced off their properties by banks, which in many cases were responsible for encouraging irresponsible debt levels? What about those high interest rates encouraged by former Treasurer Paul Keating in order to create the depression "we had to have"?

What Australia desperately needs NOW is a survival programme, which will enable farmers and the small businessmen to survive. But Dr. Hewson is silent on such fundamental issues. He offers no immediate programme for the employment of the unemployed, particularly the young, in useful economic activity. Australia's housing industry is, in spite of wishful thinking, in a seriously depressed state. What about adequate finance at a low interest rate programme? There are no physical problems. Why cannot Australia's rail and transport system be upgraded? The reaction from both the Government and the "Opposition" is that the stimulation of increased economic activity by new financial credits, would re-stimulate inflation.
If Dr. Hewson and his fellow economic "experts" are unable to implement a financial policy, which would enable the Australian people to use their own resources without inflation, then they should be charged with being incompetent - or worse.

The programme of internationalism being imposed upon the Australian people is supported by Dr. Hewson and his colleagues. It is a programme of treachery which, carried far enough, will destroy Australia's sovereignty - economic and political. What is essential between now and the next Federal Elections, is for enough Australians to grasp that Dr. Hewson and the "Opposition" offer no genuine alternatives to the destructive Hawke Government programme, and that they should work to support only those candidates who do offer some real answers. Australians cannot afford to repeat the mistake they made when they elected Malcolm Fraser on the basis that "he could not be worse than Whitlam". The Fraser Government turned out to be much worse.

PROFESSOR BLAINEY STRIKES AGAIN

by David Thompson
Last month the distinguished Australian author, Morris West, in a cry from the heart, drew attention to the dreadful seriousness of the rural crisis, demanding an action programme to meet the crisis. No discernable response from rural industry groups, State or Commonwealth Government has been forthcoming, particularly to his urgent plea for a moratorium to halt the spiral of debt, which he describes as being "out of control".

A week later, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Blainey delivered a stinging attack on the lunatic policies destroying the country, in a wide ranging 'Sir Robert Menzies' lecture to the Liberal Club of Melbourne's Monash University. Blainey again condemned the continuing encouragement of immigration in times of "depression". Yes, "depression"!
As reported by The Australian (29/11/1991) Blainey again roasted the Government, and the ethnic lobby's clamour for endless family reunions, increasing the nation's overseas debt, and taking urgently needed funds from essential services such as hospitals. He provided figures: "Of the adult migrants who arrived since Christmas two years ago, about 36% are unemployed. This is economic lunacy."
Blainey also attacked economic and trade policies, saying that the radical conservationists, some aborigines, and the Commonwealth Government itself was strangling development and stifling exports. He said that when an American group (Greenpeace) sabotages efforts to improve the economy by opposing off shore oil exploration, it should be rebuked by the Prime Minister.

"FREE TRADE" CONDEMNED
Blainey strongly condemned the programme of reduction of tariffs to expose industry to international competition, predicting that by 1995 some sort of protection would have to be restored. "By then hundreds of our factories will be closed and their machines, shipped away, will be working 24 hours a day in South-East Asia. Other nations will have the factories, we will have the unemployment."
One of Blainey's strongest broadsides was reserved for the lack of national leadership, saying: "Canberra has ceased to speak or think for the nation as a whole. . . . Created to solve problems, created especially to circumvent the Melbourne-Sydney rivalry, Canberra is now itself a problem. It is an expanding oasis of prosperity presiding over a parched economy.

A DEAFENING SILENCE
When one of Australia's most respected living historians and one of our most successful authors deliver clear, ringing warnings - almost prophecies - about imminent disaster, some response from the nation's leaders is appropriate. What has Mr. Hawke's response been? Dr. Hewson's response? Or Premiers Greiner, Goss, or Lawrence?
Not even a peep of acknowledgement - in fact, a deafening silence. A sullen, arrogant determination to persist with policies of disaster, in defiance of increasing national economic and social chaos, is all that is forthcoming.
We recall only Victorian Opposition Leader Kennett, asking of the programme to eliminate tariffs. "What if we are wrong?" Now, even Kennett seems to have thrown in his lot - under pressure - with Hewson' s computer calculated panacea, the GST. It is only inexorable events, in the shape of further disasters that can penetrate such blinding arrogance.

BRIEF COMMENTS

Harsh realities were forcing some politicians to change their views on the policy of dismantling all forms of protection for Australian industries. Victorian Liberal leader Jeff Kennett has openly expressed doubts about the anti-protection programme, but presumably in the interests of "party unity" has recently attempted to "play down" his differences with Federal leader Dr. Hewson.
But prominent Victorian frontbench Liberal MP, Mr. Roger Pescott, has now come out strongly disassociating himself from the Federal Opposition's pledge to phase out all protection for manufacturing industry by the year 2000. Mr. Pescott is the State Opposition's spokesman on industry. Mr. Pescott has been critical of the "level playing field" argument, pointing out that other nations' industries do not operate on level playing fields, but effectively protect their industries. Every opposition to the internationalist policies of both the Hawke Government and the Federal Opposition should be encouraged.

As anticipated by the former Democrat Senator, Paul Maclean, the Martin banking inquiry proved to be little more than a whitewash of the present banking system and debt finance. Needless to say, the banks have expressed their general satisfaction with a report, which at best merely taps them on the wrists. The "reforms" suggested are mainly cosmetic. Once again Australians are told that the establishment of more foreign banks in Australia will be of great benefit.

Prior to the Gulf War, Assad's Syria was formally condemned as a state backing terrorism. But all that changed when it was necessary to bring Syria on side with the USA. Virtually absolved by President Bush of any involvement in the PanAm 103 destruction, Syria is now regarded as a major ally in Bush's Middle East "peace process". But now it is revealed that Assad used at least $US 1 billion of the money given to Syria by Saudi Arabia during the Gulf war, to buy sophisticated Scud missiles. As yet there is not the slightest glimmer of the prospect of peace in the Middle East, which depends primarily on the policies of Zionist Israel.

Victorian State National Party MP for East Gippsland, Mr. Bruce Evans, appears to be rather old fashioned. Mr. Evans objects to a National- Liberal Party proposal that all Members had to accept Coalition decisions and not criticise Coalition Members. Mr. Evans says he wants to be free to represent his electors. He may be forced to sit as an Independent Member for the remainder of his term in Parliament.

LET'S STOP THE TREKS NORTH ON APPEASEMENT MISSIONS

POLICE REDUCED TO IMPOTENCE

from Herald-Sun (Melbourne), November 11th
"After serving 34 years in the Victoria Police Force, eight years ago I retired with the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. It is a matter of great alarm and depression to me now to see the dreadful depths of ineffectiveness to which our police force has shrunk. "I am appalled at the incredible situation whereby our police force is contemplating criminally charging Mr. Massa for protecting his property. "The police force has been reduced to such a state of impotence by its weak leaders and socialism that it failed to protect Mr. Massa (and numerous people like him), and yet breaches the one last protection we have, that is, the common law right to defend ourselves.
"At common law, we all have the right to shoot to kill offenders who endanger the lives of ourselves and members of our families. That right is incontrovertible. "That common law principle is to be found in Archbold's Pleading, Evidence and Practice in Criminal Cases.

"Terry Vine (Herald-Sun October 25th) once again put his finger right on the nub of the problem. "I recall when I was a young policeman working nightshift in patrol cars, our habit was, when we saw a group of young bucks hanging around somewhere after midnight, to leap out and kick as many bums we could catch up with. The immediate effect was to get them off the streets and prevent such young fellows doing stupid things. "The overall benefits of those days were that women could, with complete safety, catch public transport and walk in the streets at night.
"Like everything else they touch, the socialists have reduced our police force to such a state that I am ashamed to admit I was once part of it. "The force is not only incapable of protecting the public, but actually criminally charges those decent people who try to protect themselves (such as Mr. Massa).

"Since 1982 socialism set in motion legislation that now prevents police from questioning suspects for longer than six hours (it can take that long to get a suspect to a place where such suspect can be questioned), let alone all the time lost in preparation. Police cannot take fingerprints, body fluids, photographs, and put suspects in identification parades. "All such rules were designed to protect the criminal elements in our community. "There are many vicious criminals out there who would quickly be incarcerated if police were allowed to do their jobs properly.

"If keeping our streets clear of potential troublemakers (by kicking bums off the streets after midnight) were still part of police duties, then your children, wives and parents would be safe in their homes. "Let me assure you that if any man breaks into my home he risks being removed in a body bag.

"During my service I was awarded a Valour Award and nine commendatory entries. I mention this to indicate that I was not a rat bag policeman, but one of a great team of decent men who looked on the protection of the public as a job that had to be done effectively. "Thank God I am not a young man still, and that I no longer belong to that organisation that I so loved and worked for, the 'Old Police Force'." (William Dobell, Maryborough, Vic.)

FROM NEW ZEALAND ON TARGET (November 20th)

"Despite large subsidies and the regular introduction of new schemes the Government (of New Zealand) has not been able to reduce unemployment, which hovers at almost a quarter of a million. The figures are even more frightening when it is considered that the great majority of these are young people. These are at an age when it is vital that people have a sense of belonging to something worthwhile and a view that there is a future with at least some hope. It is little wonder that some young people opt for forms of escapism with drugs, glue sniffing, and alcoholism. The numbers of younger alcoholics is appalling. Not to mention young suicides.

"A realistic examination of unemployment would have to conclude that New Zealanders are capable, with modern technology, of producing ample for everyone with diminishing labour. The group that should get the immediate benefit of this are older people. It would make far greater sense to make it financially possible for older people, say over the age of 50, to retire from regular industrial activity if they wish, and allow younger people to make their contribution. This is technically possible with the creation of sufficient money, debt-free. It is obviously not politically desirable.

"Attempts by the (N.Z.) Government to lower the growing unemployment level by keeping teenagers at school longer are, in the longer term, doomed to failure….."