[Editor: An article on the Australian National Party, including its political platform. Published in The Brisbane Courier, 20 June 1888.]
The Australian National Party.
After the general election and before the Central Committee of the National party had been dissolved, it was felt that a movement should be initiated for a permanent organisation, the aims of which should be in the main those that had animated the gentlemen associated in securing the return of Sir Thomas M’Ilwraith and his friends to Parliament. Sub-committees were appointed to carefully consider the matter and the result of prolonged deliberation and exhaustive discussion was the formation of an association which is meant to embrace members in every part of the colony. The motto of the association is “Alliance, not Dependence,” and the objects as finally adjusted, are as follow:—
1. The cultivation of an Australian national spirit with respect to all matters affecting education, labour, trade, and laws.
2. The federation of the Australian colonies into a United Dominion, with provision for a system of Australian national defence.
3. The energetic vindication and protection of the civil and political liberties, rights, and obligations of the people, and the adoption of the principle that laws passed by the Australian Legislatures shall not require Imperial sanction to render them operative.
4. The fostering and protection of Australian industries.
5. The exclusion from Australia of Chinese and other servile races, and the preservation of the entire continent as a home for white men.
6. The exclusion from the islands and waters of Australasia, and the Western Pacific of all foreign convicts.
7. The active promotion of all Legislative measures calculated —
(A.) To check the wasteful expenditure of public money, prevent the levying of oppressive taxation, and guard against the abuse of political patronage.
(B.) To repress injurious monopolies, allay sectional jealousies, and prevent the creation of privileged classes.
(C.) To stimulate settlement upon the land, and develop its mineral and other resources.
(D.) To carry on reproductive public works, to conserve the rainfall, improve the natural watercourses, and tap the subterranean waters of the country.
(E.) To remedy all abuses in the law, to repeal all barbarous and obsolete Acts, and to reduce the cost of law proceedings.
8. The return of members to the Legislative Assemblies pledged to carry out the foregoing principles and objects.
Source:
The Brisbane Courier (Brisbane, Qld.), 20 June 1888, p. 5
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