QUEENSLAND'S EXTREMIST GOVERNMENT

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 11

QUEENSLAND'S EXTREMIST GOVERNMENT

<«OM OUR OWN CORRESrOHMHTJ

SYDNEY, 7th August. The little company of extremists which at present composes the Queensland State Government continues to do unexpected and foolish things which arouse grave suspicions as to its trustworthiness and loyalty. It is, unquestionably, a source of much worry to the Federal Cabinet, which is striving honestly enough to keep Australia's war spirit aflame and her efforts at the pitch of efficiency.

On 23rd July statements were made in the Queensland Legislative Assembly reflecting upon the treatment of Irish and Germain internees, the publication of which would have jeopardised the war interests of Australia. Thp Federal authorities acted at once, and the ■censors took steps to prevent publication. There was a lively exchange of telegrams between Mr. Ryan, Premier of Queensland, and Mr. Watt, Acting-Prime Minister. The issue.of Queensland Hansard was suspended, and military forces took possession of the Queensland Government Printing Office. Information is meagre, but the Federal authorities announced last.night: "The matter was finalised late last week, when Hansard wan issued, with the objectionable references deleted by the censor." Intelligent people may read between the lines.

Meetings all over Australia on the fourth. anniversary of the outbreak of war passed loyal resolutions, with the usual expression of determination to fight on to victory. Federal and Stato Ministers everywhere, except in Queensland, were prominently associated with these proceedings. In Queensland the Ministers did not appear at any of the meetings. Tkere »»-as much comment on the fact, and Ministers wero interrogated. They refused to make any Statement on the matter.

The Australian Red- Cross Society is splendidly organised, and the assistance it gets from school children, in collections and contributions for the soldiers, is considerable. Recently it .proposed to arrange- a special collection in Queensland schools, but wajs met by hostile action on the part of the Education De^ partment, and permission to make the collection was refused. When an explanation was demanded, it was met by the vague statement that the granting of permission would set up an undesirable precedent, by which othwr organisations would extend their activities to the schools. In the case of any obscure society, there would have beenreason behind this Ministerial explanation, but tho established position of the Red Cross Society puts the whole community under an obligation to aid it in every possible way.