Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JULY 17, 1939. AUSTRALIAN SPLIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JULY 17, 1939. AUSTRALIAN SPLIT.

CRINGE he became Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Menzies has found trouble following closely in his footsteps, and present indications point to the likelihood of a General Election much earlier than the end of next year, when normally it would? be held. As a result of dissatisfaction with some items of the Menzies programme, in particular the proposals for national insurance, the Country Party members refused to remain in the Cabinet, and the latter is now confined to members of the United Australia Party. The Labour Party forms the third ingredient in the political stew. Tt, is not expected that the Country Party will align its forces -with those of Labour, to eject the Government, but Air. Menzies finds himself in the unsatisfactory position of-being at the head of a Go-1

vermnent not strong enough to stand on its own feet, and having to depend upon the support of the Country Party, which holds the balance of power. If the price of this support becomes too irksome, the alternative is an appeal to the country, a development which, according to Australian reports, is not desired at present by any of the parties, including Labour. The present Parliamentary recess provides an opportunity for calm reflection, and this may lead to a better feeling between the United Australia and Country Parties. It is not only in this direction, however, that trouble confronts the Government. A serious situation has developed as a result of the trades unions’ determined opposition to the proposed national register of manpower, which forms part of the Australian defence scheme. The National Register Act provides for the taking of what may be described as an industrial census, the object being to ascertain the manpower of Australians between the ages of 18 and G 5. At the same time, it is proposed to make a register of wealth and property, applying to all persons with property in their own right valued at not less than £5OO. The trades unions argue that a compulsory register is wrong in principle, and that it might be employed to the detriment of the trades union movement, enabling the Government by regulation to interfere with the democratic rights of the workers. The Prime Minister has explained that the register is intended to furnish information which ..would enable the Government to allot each “volunteer” in a time of crisis the class of work for which he was best fitted. He emphasised his use of the word “volunteer” by adding that the question of conscription,is not involved. In reply to suggestions that new powers of a compulsory nature may be taken, Mr. Menzies has pointed out that this could not be done without the consent of Parliament.

While the trades unions are in favour of boycotting the national register, the political Labour organisation is opposed to such direct action, and advises concentration upon efforts to elect a Labour Government, which would repeal the legislation. Thus there is a further complication, in the shape of a split within the Labour ranks, and to this, in some degree, may be attributed’ the reported reluctance of Labour to face a General Election. In view of the definite assurances given by ME Menzies, it is difficult to understand the bitterness of the opposition to the national register. He has stated that the register would merely tell the Government whether a man had a special trade or skill which ought to result in his being prevented from joining some unit in which his particular qualification would be wasted. Apart from the merits or otherwise of the register plan, however, the fact remains that the attitude of the trades unions constitutes a challenge to the Government, and, indeed, to the whole democratic system, the point at issue being whether one section of the community is to be permitted to run counter to the law. In the circumstances, there is additional need for efforts to overcome the differences existing between the United Australia Party and the Country Party. The position held by Mr. Menzies is certainly no sinecure.