BEING PREPARED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1942, Page 6

BEING PREPARED

MOBILISATION OF AUSTRALIA

STATE RIGHTS TO GO

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Rec. 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day.

The War Cabinet meets today to prepare the necessary regulations for the complete mobilisation of all Australia's resources.

The gazetting of some of the regulations may not be practicable immediately. It is understood the Government's view is that if detailed explanations were given of what it has in mind selfish people would try to forestall the regulations.

A move to reduce to a minimum the petrol used for non-war purposes is expected almost immediately. Palembang, which has been taken by the Japanese, was a major source of Australia's petrol supply.

It is believed the Government intends to restrict some forms of amusement, abolish others, and make people use their leisure in some form of defence service.

The Army Minister, Mr. F. M. Forde, said, however, that he believed the Government would be able to obtain the men required at present from the age groups already proclaimed.

The "Telegraph" says that the Federal Government will in future unhesitatingly . override State opposition to any Commonwealth proposal connected with the war effort.

Senior Federal, Ministers said that this was clearly indicated in Mr. Curtin's announcement that Cabinet had decided to take full control of every section of the national life.

The Federal Government considered the war position so critical that the Premier's conferences and prolonged consultations with • State authorities would no longer be held.