AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER

MR CURTIN IN HOSPITALMAY HAVE TO YIELD OFFICE Press Association— By Telegraph • Copyright CANBERRA, April. 30. The Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, is again in hospital. A medical bulletin issued to-day states that he is suffering from congestion of the lungs.' Lung congestion complicated Mr Curtin's major illness last November, when, he spent about seven weeks in hospital in Melbourne. He then suffered from a serious heart condition.

Since returning to office in January Mr Curtin has had several minor relapses necessitating his absence from his parliamentary duties for periods of up to a week. When he took charge of the House on recent occasions Mr Curtin easily became exhausted. After making a long and incisive speech on the Australian army equipment issue last Tuesday, he had to rest at the Prime Minister's lodge, and was unable to attend Wednesday's Anzac Day ceremonies at Canberra War Memorial. However, he again took his place in the House of Representatives on Thursday and Friday. .:_..,

Mr Curtin's latest illness raises the. question of the appointment of a Government leader in the House of Representatives. Such an appointment has been mooted for some time, and it is now considered likely that the Treasurer, Mr J. B. Chifley, will take over nt least until the return of Mr F. M. Forde from the San Francisco Conference.

Parliamentary correspondents express doubts whether Mr Ciirtin's illhealth will permit him to retain office. It is believed that he has been desperate! v anxious to remain at his post until the war against Japan has been won. While the decision will be left entirely to Mr Curtin, many of his friends consider that for his own sake he should step down from the_ Prime Ministership. In such event it is likely that the post would be filled either by Mr Forde or Mr Chifley.