POST-WAR PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 5

POST-WAR PROBLEMS

AUSTRALIAN ANSWERS

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 5. What is being done by Australia to meet the internal problems of peace— when it comes? An answer to this question has been given by the Commonwealth Director-General of Postwar Reconstruction, 36-year-old Dr. jH. C. Coombs, who states: "Should the war end in the late months of 1944 our plans would be sufficiently advanced to deal with the transition:.to' peace on an emergency basis. By well into 1945 we will have detailed plans ready to meet Australia's problems." The vast blueprint, which is beingprepared by Dr. Coombs's department, |is rapidly taking shape. Seven main instrumentalities are included in the department: the handling of rural reconstruction, secondary industries, housing, demobilisation, reconstructional training, re-employment, and national works. To ensure balanced development of the plans, these bodies hold joint quarterly meetings for an exchange of information. All maintain contacts with the fighting services and the repatriation, labour, national service, and migration authorities. Two commissions—rural industries and housing—have already toured Australia. The Housing Commission took evidence from 800 separate organisations as well as from hundreds of individuals. STATE HOUSING PLANS. As a result of a report by the Housing Commission, the States have been asked to prepare plans for building 30,000 Government-financed dwelling units for low-income families in the firs^;'post-war year. Australia's annual housing target will be stepped up to 80,000 as soon as possible. The first report of the Rural Reconstruction Commission, which is about to be presented, will recommend new areas for a land settlement scheme for soldier settlers. Knowing that weary fighters and workers' will have a tremendous urge to re-establish themselves speedily in normal civilian life after the war, the Reconstruction Departments' main task is to harness and direct this vast movement of Australian man and woman power, and to meet their demands for goods and services without chaos.

It is for this reason that the Commonwealth this year will seek by referendum wide post-war powers for a period of five years. Without such powers the present reconstruction plans cannot be carried out.

OBJECTIVES DESCRIBED

Rec. 9 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 5.1 The objectives and progress in the | seven main sections of Australia's re- j construction organisation are:—De-j mobilisation: The committee will suggest the rate of discharge of military and war industrial personnel.

Repatriation: The committee will administer schemes for improved amenities for country areas and improved rural education. The Secondary Industries Commission, will recommend the future of industrial development and will report on the feasibility of Australian Government'war factories being converted to peacetime production.

The National Works Council will present an interim report to the State Premiers' conference at Canberra this month on a programme of immediate short-term and part-time vocational training schemes for ex-service personnel and war workers.

The Re^-employment Committee will assess post-war employment prospects in Australian industry and prepare plans for the re-employment of war workers and fighters.