AUSTRALIAN PLANS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN PLANS

To Help Dutch Indies LONDON, February 22. The Australian Minister of, External Affairs (Dr. Evatt) in a speech, said that Australia had always looked upon the Netherlands East Indies as the bastion of Australia’s defences against Japan. For that reason, Australia would give all possible help and every request by the Commander-in-Chief of the .SouthWestern Pacific (General Wavell) was being acceded to. QUEENSLAND ITALIANS. MANY HUNDREDS INTERNED. BRISBANE, February 24. 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. 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. WAR DAMAGE INSURANCE. CANBERRA, February 23. Australia’s greatest insurance plan, covering war damage, came into operation to-day with the gazetting of regulations under the National Security Act. It covers all property in Australian territories against airraids, enemy land attacks, or damage resulting from the scorched earth policy. Compulsory insurance classes include: Buildings at 4s per cent., stock and plant at 8s per cent., and wool in store at 2s 6d per cent. Voluntary classes include: Personal chattels, including furniture, clothing and motor-cars at 8s per cent., live-stock, farm improvements, and growing crops at 4s per cent., fruit trees and vines at 8s per cent. N.S.W. POLICE. SYDNEY, February 24. The Premier (Mr McKeli) has taken over Ministerial control of the Police Department, and has directed the Commissioner of Police in Sydney to bring back to Sydney the 17 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.