Slavic Countries

• Author: William B. Ballis
• DOI: 10.1177/000271625530000163
• Published date: 01 July 1955
• Date: 01 July 1955
• Subject Matter: Articles

166
tional organization in order to operate ef-
first time since the 1920’s, creating deep
fectively in the Federal parliament. In no
differences of opinion within the Labor
case does the central organization have
party. In 1949, 1951, and 1954 a Liberal
anything like the power possessed by the
party coalition under Mr. R. G. Menzies
central organizations of the British par-
was given charge of the Government. Mr.
ties.&dquo;
Another characteristic of the three
Miller emphasizes, however, that &dquo;the
Australian political parties is that each is
Federal Government is now the custodian
supported by, easily identifiable organiza-
of the economic health and external se-
tions of people whose economic and voca-
curity of Australia, in a world where these
tional interests have induced them to band
two conditions are influenced primarily by
together for action to their common ad-
forces outside Australia’s control.&dquo;
vantage : such as trade unions, associa-
The relations of Australia with other
tions of manufacturers and traders, and
Commonwealth countries since the last war
farmers’ and graziers’ unions, which exer-
have been largely economic, although they
cise constant influence over party policy.
have also involved a friendly reception to
Isolated from other countries and sparsely
the new Asian Dominions and an attempt,
populated by a single European racial
through the Colombo Plan, to show that
group conscious of a high standard of liv-
Australian goodwill to these nations is
ing, Australia for more than a century de-
practical. Economic problems within the
veloped a high standard of living and an
Commonwealth have continued to be domi-
organized system of political institutions
nated by serious problems within the ster-
which, in many ways, are unique in the
ling area. In the 1950’s the international
world. Over the years, this system tended
economic problem for Australia is still in
to concentrate on economic problems: land,
essence what it...