ON FIRST COUNT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1945, Page 5

ON FIRST COUNT

VOTING BY CAUCUS Leader Unspectacular But Politically Astute ~"•;,..' N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent , Rec. ; noon. SYDNEY, this- day. Mr: Joseph Benedict Chifley, Australia's sixteenth Prime Minister, is described by some political commentators as Australia's least spectacular Prime Minister, yet he has subtlety and political astuteness such as members of the Labour hierarchy have learned to envy. He is noted for his frankness. He handles awkward questions delicately, l but never avoids them and if the facts are not flattering to his own side but must be faced,. he : does not hesitate to state. them. Mr. : Chifley has never used .a. political situation for propaganda. ' Before his: entry into politics in 1929, Mr. Chifley was .an enginedriver and newspaper proprietor. He has no • hobbies and his only extravagance is tobacco —he and his pipe being inseparable. . At- yesterday's meeting of the caucus. Mr. Chifley was selected as leader: pri,• the first -count. , The figures have- not been disclosed, but it is reported that the voting was as follows:—Chifley '45,., Forde 16, Makiri 7, ■ arid Evatt 2: An impassioned appeal by one member that the elections be postponed until Dr. Evatt, who, he said, was "the biggest man in the political life of Australia," could reach Canberra failed to "~ ; influence; . the meeting. In thanking the. party for the confidence placed in him Mr.. Chifley said he did not pretend to the gifts of the late' Mr. Curtin and he would require co-Operation from all quarters.

WISDOM—JUDGMENT

Mr. Chifley Subjected To Little

Criticism WAR TAX ACHIEVEMENTS P.A. WELLINGTON, this day. The Australian High ■ Commissioner,- Mr. T. G. L. d'Alton, said to-day that Mr. Chifley's appointment as Prime. Minister would, he felt sure, be welcomed throughout Australia as a leader who would carry on the work so ably begun -by Mr. Curtin. ":,..".

Mr. Chifiey was already, wellknown for his firm and capable handling of the Commonwealth finances through . the difficult war years, Mr. dAlton added; In order to obtain taxation revenue, of £533,000,000 .towards the Commonwealth, total expenditure in 1943 : 44 of £687,000,000, Mr. Chifiey had to impose a taxation rate as high as any in the world and it was a great tribute to his fairness that he was subjected to 'so little personal criticism for his •' Budgets.- His wisdom arid. judgment-had contributed much to the success of, Australia's economic policy. Like Mr.;Curtin, the hew Prime Minister 5 was'a man of simple'tastes and habits," but he had a reputation for "getting things done." ■■• - - -