FEDERAL CABINET TO MEET

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26409, 1 May 1951, Page 7

FEDERAL CABINET TO MEET

Preparation Of New Legislation (NI. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 30. The Federal Cabinet will meet in Canberra early next week to consider the Government’s programme. The first tasks of the Government are understood to be an attack on Communism, the strengthening of defence, and an attempt to obtain industrial stability. States are to be approached as soon as possible with a request that they hand over to the Commonwealth powers to permit the Commonwealth to implement legally its anti-Communist legislation. If some States refuse, a referendum to amend the Constitution will probably be placed before the people. As a supplementary measure, the new Parliament is expected to pass urgent legislation for secret ballots in union elections and the Arbitration Court will be strengthened with a power of injunction, similar to that used in the United States against unions defying awards and orders.

Before the end of the year, a defence preparation bill will be introduced giving the Government power to impose economic controls. Another £200,000 must be found for defence in this year’s Budget. Though no official confirmation can be obtained, economists believe this cannot be done without the imposition of higher taxation.

Two replacements will be made in the Cabinet. Dame Enid Lyons has resigned because of ill-health, and the Minister of External Affairs (Mr P. C.

Spender) has been appointed Ambassador to Washington, in addition, two new Cabinet vacancies will probably be created by the appointments of High Commissioners to London and Canada.

The new Parliament cannot meet until the middle of June, as the Gov-ernor-General (Mr W. J. McKell) has fixed Junel3 as the last day for the return of the writs for the Senate election. Mr McKell will open the new Parliament with all the pomp and ceremony planned originally for the jubilee opening of the old Parliament on May 9. A short recess is planned in July while the new Government prepares its Budget and urgent bills, after which both Houses may be In continuous session until early in December.