AUSTRALIA AWAKE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIA AWAKE

COMPLETE MOBILISATION ORDERED BY WAR CABINET SYDNEY, February 17. Complete mobilisation of all Australia’s resources, human and material for the defence of the Commonwealth, was ordered to-day by the War CabPrime Minister (Mr. J. Curtin) made the announcement in a stirring speech to launch the “Liberty” War Loan of £35,000,000. He said: “Every human being in this country is now, whether he or she likes it or not, at the service of the Government. Every material thing—money, machinery, plant, or whatever it may be—must on the immediate direction of the Government be diverted to the purposes of the war. „ “That is clear-cut and specific, he exclaimed, and added: “The enemy rests upon a totalitarian basis, using everything. This country therefore will use everything in its resistance. “We have reached a stage when a new way of life is impelled on us. All leisure must now be devoted to tne service of our, fellow men. There is nobody who has not something to give, who has not some work to perform, who cannot find some service, or be useful in some way or other.’ Mr. Curtin said he would eschew post-mortems and would not allow others to continue to dispute whether mistakes had been made or whether this thing or that had been done rightly or wrongly. That chapter of controversy had ended. Only two things stood between Australians and the overthrow of everything they had or might hope to have, namely, the heroism and fighting prowess of the men who went forward into battle, and the industry, zeal, and devotion of the men and women who remained behind. Revealing that the war loan was already more than half subscribed, Mr. Curtin declared: “No longer shall this Government appeal. It will order and direct.” . The speech, which was broadcast to the whole nation, was lustily cheered.

PREPARATORY STEPS. (Recd. 1.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 18. The War Cabinet meets to-day, to prepare the necessary regulations for the complete mobilisation of all Australia’s resources. The gazetting of some of the regulations may not be practicable immediately. It is understood that the Government’s view is that, if detailed explanations were given of what it has in mind, selfish people would try to forestall the regulations. A move to reduce to the minimum the petrol used for non-war purposes is expected almost immediately. Palembang, taken by the Japanese, was a major source of the Australian petrol supply. It is believed that the Government intends to restrict some forms of amusement and abolish others, and make the people use their leisure in some form of defence service. Mr Forde said, however, he believed that the Government would be able to obtain the men required at present from the age groups already proclaimed. The “Telegraph” says: The Federal Government will in future unhesitatingly over-ride State opposition to any Commonwealth proposal connected with the war effort. Senior Federal Ministers said it was clearly indicated in Mr Curtin s announcements that Cabinet had decided to take full control of every section of national life. The Federal Government considered the war position so critical that Premiers’ conferences and prolonged consultations with State authorities would no longer be held. MINISTERIAL - CHANGES. (Recd. 1.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 18. Three minor adjustments of the Federal Ministry were announced by Mr Curtin. The Minister for External Territories, Senator Fraser, whose Department has less to do because of the war developments, will also act as Minister assisting the Minister for the Army (Mr Forde). The Minister of Commerce (Mr Scully) and the Minister of Health (Mr Holloway) have be&i added to the Production Executive. MR. THEODORE’S POST

SYDNEY, Feb. 17. The War Cabinet to-day appointed Mr. E. G. Theodore as Director-Gen-eral of the Allied Works Council. He will have the right to allocate labour and materials for the jobs he considers most urgent, and will be responsible to the Minister for his decisions. It was stated that considerable aid from Allied countries was already Teaching the Commonwealth. A representative of the Allied forces will work with Mr. Theodore. Mr. Theodore was Federal Treasurer in the former Scullin Government. PRODUCTION OF MINERALS SYDNEY, February 17. The Commonwealth Government has allocated £500,000 to aid the production of minerals needed for the war. This decision arises from the enemy’s occupation of countries which formerly supplied minerals and to which Australia had ready access. Commonwealth Ministers are also talking of suspending gold-mining operations and using the plant for the production of more essential minerals.