LABOUR IS OFFICE

Evening Star, Issue 24008, 6 October 1941, Page 8

LABOUR IS OFFICE

NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NO LET UP IN WAR EFFORT CANBERRA, Oct. 5. The statement that it was not Labour’s intention to “ tear Australia up by the roots in a day ” was made by the Prime Minister-designate, Mr •). Curtin, in an interview. He added that there would be no dislocation of the administration, and any decisions would stand unless they were a cardinal affront to Labour’s policy. Australia’s Ministers abroad would not be changed, and Sir Earle Page had been instructed to continue his journey to London so that there would be no delay should the Cabinet ask him to carry on? with the mission. Asked whether Sir Bertram Stevens would remain Australia’s representative at Delhi, Mr Curtin said that all previous Government appointments outside the diplomatic ones would be a question for consideration by the new Cabinet. PROMISES TO BE CARRIED OUT. Mr Curtin stated that the new Government would carry out all the promises made , by Labour at the election and after. The Canberra correspondent of the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ says tlie first moves by the new* Government are likely to be an increase of. Is a day in soldiers’ pay, and an increase from 21s 6d to 22s Cd in old age pensions. Labour’s economic reorganisation may involve the rationing of consumer goods to prevent uncontrolled spending. Other points of Labour policy on which early action is expected are the control of private banking and credit resources through the Commonwealth Bank and the appointment of a national credit advisory authority; control of monopolies; direction of investments and control of interest rates; maximum development of air power and strong mechanised land forces for the defence of Australia; the fullest provision for A.I.F. reinforcements; reconstruction of the Australian Wheat Board ns part of a rural policy which will include immediate relief for primary producers against droughts, fires, floods, and pests; a review of petrol rationing; the development of substitute fuel production; and advances for social service programmes. 1 THE NEW MINISTRY.

The new Labour Ministry will be sworn in on Tuesday. The personnel will be chosen by a Labour caucus ballot on Monday, and Mr Curtin will then allot the portfolios. Mr Curtain said his Government would carry on the maximum war effort and would 'expect the co-operation as members of the War Advisory Council of the members of the former Ministry. He added that he was assured of the support of the two Victorian Independents, Mr A. W. Coles and Mr A. Wilson. “ I am co'nfident. that the Labour Government will be a stable Government,” he said. “It will devote itself with singleness of purpose to achieving the desire of the whole Australian people—a maximum war effort with the distribution of the inevitable burdens of War as fairly as possible over the whole community.” Mr Curtin said that liis Government would proceed immediately to recast the Budget. MAJORITY OF ONE. With the support of Mr Coles and Mr Wilson, Labour, after appointing the Speaker, will have a majority of one in the House. The voting strengths will be the Labour Government 37, and the U.A.P. and U.C.P. Opposition 36. Labour faces a difficult position in the Senate, where the voting strengths are U.A.P. and U.C.P. 19, with Labour 16. The ‘ Telegraph ’ comments in a leading article that Labour is in office, but is it in power? “ The big question is, Can Labour provide a stable Government?” it says. “ Australia will give the Labour Party its chance, hut it does not want a continuance of the present political set-up under a new label.” THE POPE MAY LEAVE VATICAN LONDON, October 4. The Pope may move his residence from the Vatican to the country in view of the embarrassment his presence in Rome mav cause both sides in the conduct of the war, says the diplomatic correspondent of the ‘ Daily Express.’ If the Pope goes it is expected that he will transfer to his country palace or his villa in Florence.

AIR LOSSES COMPARATIVE FIGURES (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 12.5 p.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 5. The strongly offensive character of the British air operations over both Europe and Africa is reflected in the comparative figures of British and enemy losses for the week ending at dawn to-day. The losses are;— Over Britain: The enemy four bombers, R.A.E. no losses. Over Europe, excluding Russia: The enemy 11 fighters, R.A.E. 12 fighters and two others. Russia : The enemy three, R.A.F. nil. The Royal Navy meanwhile announces that one enemy plane was destroyed by His Majesty’s ships. The date is unspecified. When the Europe and Middle East figures are read in conjunction with the week’s R.A.E. communiques detailing large-scale and successful operations, the damage caused in the latter can be ranged with confidence against the losses sustained by Britain’s ceaseless hammering forces. COUNCIL OF POLITICAL JUSTICE RETAIN ATTENDS A MEETING LONDON, October 6. Marshal Retain attended a meeting of the Council of Political .Justice. Months ago it was stated that those who were in authority in France before the collapse would he brought to trial, but it now seems that their fate will he decided by the Council of Political Justice. They will be sentenced after inquiry by the council. There will be no trial, and they will have no chance of putting forward a defence.