AUSTRALIA’S WAR EFFORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 February 1942, Page 6

AUSTRALIA’S WAR EFFORT

ALIENS ROUNDED UP.

(Recd. 2.20 p.m.) BRISBANE, Feb. 24. There were cries of “Viva Italia! and other protestations of support for the Axis cause, on the Innisfail railway station, when 200 people of foreign extraction attended to see internees leave by special train for an internment camp. Between 1200 and 1400 aliens, some of whom are naturalised British subjects of enemy origin, have now been interned in Queensland. The majority of them are Italians, with a sprinkling of Germans, and most of them were rounded up in north Queensland. MOBILISATION OF DOCTORS.

CANBERRA, February 23., The mobilisation of doctors in Australia has now reached a stage when nearly one-third of Australia’s medical practitioners are serving with the fighting forces. The Minister for the Army, Mr. Forde, made this statement to-day. He added that only the precise number of doctors required to meet immediate needs have been called up. but in the event of an invasion, he said, there would be a sharp rise m the number to be requisitioned. WAR DAMAGE INSURANCE. CANBERRA, February 23. Australia’s greatest insurance plan, covering war damage, came into operation to-day with the gazetting ol regulations under the National Security Act. It covers all property m Australian territories against airraids, enemy land attacks, or damage resulting from the scorched earth policy. Comoulsory insurance classes include: Buildings at 4/- per cent., stock and plant at 8/- per cent, and wool in store at 2/6 per cent. Voluntary classes include: Personal chattels, including furniture, clothing and motor-cars at 8/- per cent., livestock, - farm improvements, and growing crops at 4/- per cent., fruit trees and vines at 8/- per cent. SHARE SPECULATION BAN. CANBERRA, February 23. The Commonwealth has arranged with the Stock Exchanges of Australia to fix a “ceiling price” for the stocks coming on the market, so as to ensure that the prohibition on trading will not result in intense competition and in a rocketing in the prices for, the relatively few stocks that are placed on the market to meet taxation on probate. The Federal Treasurer, Mr. Chifley, stated that this plan would be given a trial, and if it were found to be satisfactory, the Government would fix share prices. N.S.W. POLICE-TRANSFERS

SYDNEY, February 23. Seventeen members of the N.S.W. Police Association Executive who have been ordered to the country by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Mackay, left by trains to-night, after learning that the Chief Secretary, who controls the Police Department, has been unable to intercede on their behalf. The matter is being taken up by some of the unions, who fear that the Police Commissioner’s action constitutes an attack on the basic principles of unionism. , .. The transfers of these police were announced after there had been criticism of accommodation provided for oolice in certain billets in strategic areas where members of the force have to take a turn for a night at regular intervals on duty. PREMIER TAKES CONTROL. (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 24. The Premier (Mr. McKell) has taken over Ministerial control of the Police Department, and has directed the Commissioner of Police in Sydney to bring back to Sydney uie h members of the executive of the Police Association who were transferred to the country. On their return, an inquiry will be held into their conduct as police officers, and, into the circumstances of their transfer.