TWO CENSUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 5

TWO CENSUSES.

MAN POWER—WEALTH.

AUSTRALIAN DECISION.

AN UPHEAVAL AVOIDED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) t SYDNEY, June 10. A threatened industrial-political upheaval was avoided by an announcement bv the Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, that he would accept an amendment to the National Register Bill to provide for the taking of a wealth census simultaneously with the national register of man-power. Mr. Menziet; was forced into accepting the wealth census, which he has always opposed, by a member of his own party, Mr. Nairn, who represents a U.A.P. constituency in West Australia. Mr. Nairn obtained the promise of sufficient Country party support to ensure the carrying of hi* amendment for which, it was known, the Labour party would vote solidly —an illustration of tlie tangled present conditions of politics in Australia.

Cnder the National Register Bill every adult man in Australia is required to answer a dozen questions. These cover age. country of birth of r-clt and parents, nationality, whether never married, married widower or divorced, particulars of dependent relatives and children under Mi. health (whether good,

bad or indifferent), disabilities -if any. Also required will be particulars of grade of occupation (employer, working on own account but not employing labour, employee or others —pensioners and such like), particulars of unemployment (period and period of last employment I of craft or occupation and indusI try in which engaged.

Conscription Fears. The trade union movement considers there can be only one rear-on for such a probing of personal affairs- that the register is the thin wedge of conscription. and although it ir- more than 20 years since the great light against conscription during the war. it is just as live an issue in Australia to-day as it was then. In Melbourne one night this week the executives of trades unions representing' a. membership of MiO.OOO resolved that their members should refuse to till and return the forms; that if lined for their refusal they should refuse to pay the iJ-iO. and that if any worker was sent to gaol for such refusal appropriate industrial action should be taken. In pursuance of their campaign the Victorian unions are already preparing plans for picketing and for the marss burning of register forms. The trade unions in New South Wales are equally determined to boycott the register. and the Trades and Labour Council is organising a public meeting of protest against the register in the Sydney Town flail on .lime 14. When Mr. Nairn brought forward h ; s proposal at a I ..\.l\ caucus later this week, it was turned down after the Coverumcnt had argued that a register of wealth would cause ;i fear of a capital levy and thus discourage industry; that the information would be out »f date almost as soon as it had been compiled; that all the necessary information would be obtained by the survey oi industrial resources for which the Supply and Development Bill provides, and that in emergency use could be made of the information in the possession of the Taxation Dcpartmcnt.

This seemed to be the end of any likelihood of the <Jovernmcnt agreeing to a wealth ccn-us. It was later announced, however, that Mr. Nairn intended to move his amendment for such a census in the House and that he would receive the support of sufficient Country party members to carry it.

The other day. the "Daily Telegraph" published a cross section of opinion on the register of man power, comprising the views of 10(1 people chosen at random in the street, at work and at home. Of the 100, <54 (154 men and 30 women) were in favour of the register and 30 120 men. Hi women) against it, hut only two objectors (one man and one woman) were prepared to endorse strike action as a means of protest. Several of those who favoured the register qualified their approval bv stating that they thought there should also be a register of wealth, which is precisely •the point at issue. The people interviewed included a clerk, fireman, taxi driver, bus driver, tyre dealer, wharf worker, salesman. estate agent, manager, housewives, commercial artist, waitress, tram conductor. dressmaker, storeman. mechanic, shop assistant, cafe proprietress, school teacher and typist.

Questions To Be Answered. These hip (lie (|uosfions flint poop'c whose assets are worth more titan £.">OO will ho asked under the Wealth Census; Assets on .Tunc 30, 1930: — 1. f«ish in hand. 2. Savings bank deposit. 3. Money at current accounts in ban'-;, etc. 4. Fixed deposit in hanks, building societies, etc. f>. (at (iovernment and other |>iil->!ii-securities, etc.: (1>) shares and debentnres in companies. (i. Amounts owing—-(a) mortgages on loan, (h) other amounts. 7. Value of stock-in-trade. 8. Value nf live stock. 0. Value of plant, including machinery, tools. implements, vehicles, rolling stock, etc.

111. \'alue of furniture and fittings used for trade purposes. 11. Estimated value of goodwill of business. 12. Value of land owned. Tf sole owner, uiiimp oved value and value of improvements, including buildings. If not sole owner, value of your intere-i. l.'i. Net value of interest in leases held —(a) from private persons; (b) from the Crown. 14. Value of share of net assets in partnership or syndicate undertakings. 1"). Value of household furniture and effects, and personal effects, including vehicles and plant used for other purposes than trade or occupation. 1(>. Value of interest as benefioiarv in trust estates. 17. Value of property, not enumerated above, exclusive of life assurance and friendly society policies. Liabilities on June 30, 1030; — 18. Bank overdraft. 10. Amount owing on mortgages on land. 20. All other amounts owing. The bill for man-power and wealth censuses was carried yesterday.