AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1944, Page 6

AUSTRALIA

REFERENDUM VOTING.

CANBERRA, September 21 The Federal Government’s proposals for increased constitutional powers were defeated at the August referendum by 342,018 votes. FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. CANBERRA, September 22. Taxation would never fall to prewar levels, said the Commonwealth iTcasurer (Mr Chifley) concluding the Budget _ debate in the House of Representatives after an all-night sitting. When taxation was eased, he hoped the first relief would go to those with family responsibilities, because they were now carrying the heaviest burden of taxation. He predicted a continuance of price controls after-the war. He added that he would like to have seen many more contributors to war loans, but

Australia’s record in having filled its war loans without recourse to bank credit had been remarkable.

An acute shortage of made-up garments in the next 12 months was predicted by. the Chairman of the Rationing Commission (Mr. Coles). Australia had plenty of material, he said, but lack of manpower in factories had become a serious problem. A plea for better remuneration for key men in the Public Service was made by the Country Party Leader (Mr. Fadden). The Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin) paid a tribute to the Public Service and admitted the.salaries paid to some Government servants were not comparable with their high executive abilities.

SOLDIER’S SENTENCE.

CANBERRA, September 22.

The sentence of five years imprisonment imposed on an Australian soldier, Private J. Wilson, for

mutiny, will not be changed, said the Minister of the Army (Mr. Forde) in the House of Representatives. As originally decided, the sentence will be reviewed in October next year with a view to remitting the balance, if Wilson’s conduct in prison is satisfactory. Mr. Forde said Wilson’s Army record was bad ? but no reflection would be cast on his service in action. He had been charged 11 times for military offences. Although many more were implicated in the incident when the men refused duty at a Queensland detention camp because of the verminous conditions and alleged bad food, only Wilson and two others were singled out and charged as ring leaders. The quality of deliberation stamped their offence, which was grave, since the incidents occurred in detention barracks where soldiers were undergoing punishment tor breaches of discipline and where there was a danger of a serious riot or insurrection.