MR MENZIES IN DISFAVOUR

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 8

MR MENZIES IN DISFAVOUR

POLITICAL CRISIS PREDICTED AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER CRITICISM (united press association— copyright.) (Received November 13, 10.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 13. The daily newspapers of Sydney and Melbourne are predicting a political crisis on the Federal Government’s war budget proposals which will be submitted at Canberra next week. Certain Federal Ministers anticipate a Government defeat and the possibility of another election within a few weeks. Labour co-operation has already been lost because of the Government's “deflationary methods" in drafting the Budget. Government supporters argue that even if the Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) is defeated and the Labour Leader (Mr J. Curtin) is commissioned to form a Ministry, a Labour Budget will get no better reception. Labour made so many election pledges which cut across the Menzies Government's Budget plans that the Government parties have no option but to oppose them bitterly. Well-informed quarters are of the opinion that Mr Menzies will take an uncompromising stand. If Labour attacks the Budget he will place the onus of rejecting the Government's financial proposals on the House, and in the event of an election he will fight it on the inflation issue.

Replying to the complaint by Mn Menzios about Australians’ war apathy and Labour disputes, the Sydney “Sun,” in an editorial, last night attacked his leadership. It declared ‘‘lt is not apathy that is troubling us. but lack of confidence in our political leaders.’’ The editorial cites the 100 per cent, response to recruiting for all arms of |he defence forces, the fine work which is being accomplished in the munition workshops, directs attention to disunity in the political sphere, and then states: “What an example of sheer inability to realise the implications of this war these leaders have provided in the mere compromise of a War Council, which is already split in half on matters of major policy. Mr Menzies. looking at the disunity and apathy in his own environment, dares much when he charges with apathy Australians who look with envy at England led by Mr Churchill and free of the party curse. “Our political leaders might ask themselves why, after an election which called for the highest statesmanship and sacrifice of personal ambitions, and even political prejudices, they manoeuvred for a month, after which they produced a Government representing a bare half of the people. “We are certain that Australians only require inspiring leadership—leadership that knows what is needed and goes straight towards it with every ounce of sinew and nerve.” CANADA’S PART IN WAR LONG, HARD ROAD TO VICTORY (Received November 13, 9 p.m.) OTTAWA, November 12. The Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) told the House of Commpns that the war would be a longer, harder, and more terrible road than any that could now be imagined. He predicted, however, that Britain would triumph and democracy would win. He denied an accusation by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr R. B. Hanson) that the Government was lulling the people into a sense of false security. To charges that Canada was neglecting her responsibilities in the battle for Britain, he said that the country was following the pattern laid own by successive Imperial Defence Conferences, namely, that the first duty should be to the local defences, then to more effective co-operation with other parts of the Empire. Mr King said that since August 33,844 men had enlisted in the Army, and 4034 in the Navy, while the Air Force had increased from 19,453 to 30,599. He said that war contracts let throughout Canada amounted to 433.000. dollars for Canada and 134.000. for Britain. Canada was committed to an expenditure of 235.000. dollars for plant construction throughout Canada and Britain was to spend 81,000,000 dollars for the same purpose.

Mr King went on to say that the Canadian-United States defence agreement was no temporary axis. It was part of an enduring foundation for a new world order based on friendship and goodwill. In furtherance of this, the United States was fulfilling her manifest destiny, Mr King appealed to Canadians to assist in. keeping hope alive in the hearts of the French. In the new world order. Canada’s part in cementing the bonds between the French and English-speaking peoples might be just as great as the role of bringing into closer relationship the peoples of the British Commonwealth and the United States. WAR EFFORT OF COLONIES STATEMENT BY LORD LLOYD (Received November 13, 8 p.m.) LONDON, November 12. The Colonial Secretary. Lord Lloyd, in a broadcast, said Britain was storing vast quantities of certain commodities against the time “when, after victory we will have a half-starving Europe on our hands.’’ Surveying the work of the Colonial Office he said that when the Ministry of Aircraft Production wanted increased supplies of aluminium the Colonies were able to help in getting the necessary bauxite ore. JAPAN’S AMBASSADOR TO U.S. APPOINTMENT OF ADMIRAL NOMURA ' TOKYO, November 12. It is confirmed in Tokyo that Admiral Nomura, a former Foreign Minister, will be the new Japanese Ambassador to the United States; Admiral Nomura succeeds Mr K. Hounouchi,