CLOSURE APPLIED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1945, Page 7

CLOSURE APPLIED

EMPLOYMENT MEASURE

CANBERRA, May 25,

The application of the guillotine aroused further Opposition protests during the debate on the Re-establish-ment and Employment Bill in the Federal House of Representatives. The Acting Prime Minister, Mr. J. B. Chifley, said that this action by the Government was necessary to expedite the Bill, which had been debated since May 10, so that other important legislation could be considered.

The Opposition leaders, when in office, had used the guillotine three times in one session, he added.

During the continued debate on the preference clause in the Bill the Minister of Post-war Reconstruction. Mr. J. J. Dedman, said-that Opposition members had "preference on the brain." This was not a preference Bill, but a Bill to re-establish service men and women.

The effect of the guillotine is that the committee stages of the Bill must be completed by 5.45 p.m. next Tuesday, leaving a quarter of an hour for the third reading.

HELP FOR DE FACTO WIVES Rec. 9 a.m. CANBERRA, May 25

The Government was accused today of encouraging illicit relations between men and women. The accusation was made by the deputy leader of the Opposition, Mr. Harrison, when an amendment to the Soldiers' Re-employment and Rehabilitation Bill was introduced by the Government to give the de facto wives and children of soldiers the full benefits of the Bill.

"This amendment prejudices the interests of the lawful wife and legitimate child," said Mr. Harrison. "It strikes at the very foundation of morality."

The Minister of Repatriation; Mr. Frost, said lie .had discussed this matter with clergymen of all religions. Although they had not favoured it, they were anxious to try to help the plight of these people. The Government had a duty to the do facto wives and their children if a man was taken away to fight for his country.