Attack And Counter- Attack In Australia

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 17

Attack And CounterAttack In Australia

* *_ ‘ 5 £3 TON November 12. cf the Federal Opt Zr Herbert Evatt) ret_u~i"i zz _z* Australian Federal . :.Z gr last night with i t_p: ..-4 at a Launceston ;r _2 pats m r-ed with bron-n.-x. z.it '-zz.ee. .a Dr Evatt was - _-.ee faltered as he :■■■? ir. -2. “Australia faces • - *■ c torment of mass p .. . -rr-'p: J me present r z _? returned ” : sor-a.l service promises - ire economic power - - Dr Evatt said. .C r -u_-« first reaction cr t oe done Now .- much about it no ne has had favourite theme. vokes interjec-' have Au.'trar telling Ausare larrikins. a community _ . - - unless there . _ :.asing power to . _• move. Under * t.ich remained :f . e present Govr:_r.try was taken ar-tnr.e that they t: do things,” said •?. -<~e ever heard of l id ff for lack of service pay•yment will - --ely. private ver and the . rome back to -- before, under v- M? lies’ denials. - _t ’rouble in the i-d more serious Dr Evatt said. r-.rp -~r.ry-r.ent m private —r- irwn as it had in wr years, there was ; Herzously wrong. At

the same time, the standard of living had decreased while the nation's wealth and population had improved The truth was that the wealthy interests had done better and the ordinary people had done much worse. Dr. Evatt’s demeanour disturbed some Labour Party officials. and observers said strong pressure was likely to be brought on Dr. Evatt to curtail his programme. because of the danger to his health. The Labour Party’s economic theories were “ludicrous and pathetic” and could be a great menace to Australia, the Prime Minister (Mr Robert Menzies) told an election meeting in Adelaide. according to an Adelaide message. “Any breakdown in the pattern of Australian development at this stage would, in my considered opinion, be an utter disaster.” he said. “You can’t stop and start development to go on a little financial spree because someone has promised something for nothing.” Mr Menzies continued. “Australia is at the high tide of development, and if there is any interruption it could not be resumed at the same pitch.” Mr Menzies said if a Labour government was elected it would be forced to increase taxation to carry out its proposals as the New Zealand Labour Government had done. Mr Menzies said his Government’s policy was to go on building up Australia’s population so that it could build up national resources “We have set ourselves out on a programme of development, and have egged on development by every available device,” he said. “Everyone must be exhilarated by the picture of what has gone on I in Australia.”