FEDERAL PLANS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 182, 3 August 1944, Page 5

FEDERAL PLANS

POST-WAR INDUSTRY

Mr. Curtin Makes First Official Announcement Rec. 9.30. MELBOURNE, this day. The first official announcement of the Federal Government's plans for Australia's post-war industry, if the referendum succeeds on August 19, has been made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin. The Commonwealth, he said, would not compete in fields where production by private firms was adequate unless such firms were exploiting their monopolistic position.

Mr. Curtin stated that the Government's plans embraced four main points. These were:—(l) Some factories adapted only for munitions production would continue to produce the munitions necessary for Australia's part in world security. (2) Other general engineering plants would also remain under Government control for basic defence reasons. (3) Some factories capable of producing civilian goods would be sold or leased to private firms, providing satisfactory terms were offered. (4) The Government might operate other factories independently for the production of civilian goods, or might form companies in which shares would be held jointly by the Government and private enterprise.

Mr. Curtin said that war factories had cost taxpayers more than £75,000,000. The Government would not dispose of these plants to private I speculators for bargain rates at the community's expense. But no business man who wished to make intelligent use of a wartime factory, and was willing to pay a reasonable price or rental and to offer reasonable employment, would find the Government's door closed against him. i Mr. Curtin said private enterprise would be depended upon to | employ the great bulk of Australian | labour. Any Government participation in post-war industry would not be competitive, but would be designed to round out the Commonwealth's industrial structure by filling in any gaps, thus making Australia progressively more capable of meeting her requirements in manufactured goods. Any such Government enterprise would be expected to meet capital charges on the factory and equipment it took over, and would be looked to as a source of Budget revenue. , NEARER TO FLORENCE Maori Troops Engaged In Grim Fighting STRONG TANK OPPOSITION NEAR FLORENCE, Alag. 1. Strongly opposed all the way, the Maoris are now moving forward steadily toward two features which, on the left of Highway 2, dominate the ground south of the outskirts of Florence, little more than four miles away. It is grim fighting against what is believed to be the closest concentration of infantry the enemy, has been able to muster in one sector since the Cassino days. Supporting the German infantry are those formidable Tiger tanks, whose every appearance is met by solid shelling from our guns—and our guns have been kept busy. The enemy's guns have been busy, too, and it is not pleasant in any of the forward areas. Explosions were heard in Florence yesterday, but whatever are the enemy's intentions he is still fighting this side of the city with the fullest determination. The Maoris began their last evening, . one formation forcing a salient into the enemy defences, which was later straightened into a firm line under cover of an artillery barrage. The advance was continued at dawn and has continued slowly but surely all day, the worst opposition coming from Tiger tanks on the right flank. One of the highlights of yesterday's capture of La Romola was the arrival on motor cycles of two Germans, who rode unconcernedly into the courtyard of the building which had been their headquarters. They were greeted quite affably by New "Zealand infantrymen, who. quietly took them away. Yesterday was another day of hard fighting for. New Zealanders west of San Michele. An enemy tank was destroyed and an anti-tank gun lodged in a house was put out of action" when the; building was demolished. In retiring the enemy suffered heavy casualties. EXTEND BRITISH TRADE ITALY AND THE MIDDLE EAST Rec. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 2. The President of the Board of Trade, Dr. Hugh Dalton, answering a House of Commons question, said that he was anxious that the United Kingdom trade with Egypt, Italy and the Middle • East ■ should be extended as.soon as supplies and.shipping permitted. Trade with the part of Italy that had been.liberated was wholly on. the Government account. i MANILA NIGHT CLUBS NEW YORK, July 31. Tokyo radio says the people of Manila, capital of the Philippines, have "enthusiastically received" an order for the closing from to-morrow of all night clubs/cabarets, and dance halls because it "conforms with, tne spirit of the times." . _-..._'