AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1941, Page 8

AUSTRALIA

NO GENERAL ELECTION. r SYDNEY, July 17. • The Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) - denied a suggestion in the daily news- , papers that the Government is con- , sidering holding a general election. All the “talk and fuss” about the pros- ■ pect of an early election was, he add- ■ ed, coming from the Deputy-Leader of , the Federal Labour Party (Mr. : Forde) and his colleagues.. Mr. Meni zies said he was quite sure the people of Australia would resent another - election at this stage. He hoped the , Labour members who were advocating an election would “cut out their L political cackle” and help the Gov- , ernment in its task of speeding-up the . war effort. : BROKEN HILL CO. SYDNEY, July 17. Mr. Menzies 'defended the Broken Hill Proprietary Company as to its efforts on behalf of the war, its endeavours to supply the Government’s needs in raw materials at minimum cost, and as to the vastness of its output of steel products with the least possible delay. He said no sensible person could imagine that a batch of amateurs could be fitted into the places of those responsible for the direction of the Broken ITill Pty. Company’s heavy industries with anything like the degree of success which marked the Company operations. Indeed, the Australian people would not countenance Mr. Forde’s idea, which was political control'oi' an industry which; constituted the very foundation of the war effort. SHIP ON FIRE. (Rec. 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. An overseas ship was seriously damaged by fire while discharging merchandise at a Sydney wharf, today. Two holds, together with the cargo, Were ruined. The ship now has a heavy list, and is well down by the stern. The firemen appeared to have the fire under control after a threei hours’ fight in hazardous conditions | in fierce heat. ! A welding plant was at work in one hold, when a sudden burst of flame swept over the top of the cargo. Eight wharf labourers had to rush from below to safety. , HUNGER STRIKERS. “’(Rec. 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. The Coal Miners’ Federation officials will meet on Sunday, to formulate a declaration of policy in regard to the hunger-strikers. Pit’-top meetings of protest against the detention of Thomas and Ratliff were held today at some collieries, and more will be held to-morrow.