CABINET DECIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 7

CABINET DECIDES.

NATIONAL REGISTER. Australia's Man-Power And Resources. ON VOLUNTARY BASIS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 9.30 a.m.) HOBART, this day. A special sitting of the Federal Cabinet decided to proceed with the compilation of a voluntary national register of man-power and resources. The Prime Minister. Mr. J. A. Lyons, stated that the majority of the Cabinet were of opinion that a voluntary plan could be put- into operation more quickly than a compulsory scheme. The Minister of Civil Aviation. Mr. H. \ . Thorbv. who has been indisposed since his flight from Singapore, has been relieved of his duties by Mr. Harrison, who will temporarily* act in that capacity. The urgent expansion of storage for oil fuel for defence forces was (fecided upon. Investigations by the Government have revealed that, should the Commonwealth face an emergencv involving any long period of isolation, a grave shortage of oil fuel would have to be faced.

EMPIRE DEFENCE. Dominions Must Be Able To Protect Themselves. NEW MINISTER'S STATEMENT. LOXDOX, February 6. The new Minister for the Coordination of Defence, Admiral of the i leet, Lord Chatfield, interviewed on his return from India, emphasised his desire to make all the defence services strong and interreliant, not only in Britain, but throughout the Empire. Lord Chatfield added that the Dominions must be strong enough to defend themselves. There was no doubt of their willingness to co-operate, but the great handicap was finance. CANADA'S ATTITUDE. PARTIAL PREPARATION. (Received 2 p.m.) OTTAWA, February 6. As an alternative to national registration, the Government has completed a full census of all professional classes and is prepared to launch national registration without delay if it becomes imperative.