AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1945, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

A.I.F. EQUIPMENT. (Rec. 6.30). SYDNEY. April 20. The Government’s inability to ontain shipping has been the only, reason why essential heavy equipment has not reached Australian troops in northern battle areas. This was told to the troops by the Acting-Minister for the Armv. Senator Fraser, during his recent tour of the front line areas of New Guinea, New Britain, and Bougainville, reports Mr John Scarlett, Sydney “Herald” war correspondent at Aitape, in New Guinea. The Minister added that between four thousand and live thousand tons of heavy equipment was already in Australia, awaiting transport. Broadcasting to troops in north-east New Guinea, Senator Fraser said ho was convinced that Australians in that sector had only minor grievances. The Government would do all in its power to have those grievances remedied. Complaints made by troops included shortages of replacement parts for automatic weapons, of road transport, and certain items of engineering equipment. An engineer major told the Minister that, only by “cannibalising” their own trucks had Australians been able to keep their transport on roads. Spare parts had never been available. A soldier told the Minister that to cross one of the territory’s many rivers infantrymen had to build a raft, and said: “Noah turned out a better job. By rights we still ought. Io be there.” Troops are reported to have talked freely to the Minister. They learrjed that one .of the Minister’s sons had died m a prisoner of war camp in Crete, and that a second son is a prisoner in Malaya.

TAXATION REDUCTIONS. CANBERRA, April 20. Minor taxation concessions worth £2,000,000 are provided by the Income Tax Assessment Bill, introduced by the Treasurer (Mr Chifley) in the House of Representatives. The concessions include reductions for dental and optical expenses, and special rates of taxation for persons in remote areas. This involved a new principle in Federal taxation, which In the past often largely defeated the purposes of the allowances paid to employees for disabilities of uncongenial climatic i conditions, isolation, or relatively high living costs. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. (Rec. 11.5.) CANBERRA, April 20. Freedom of speech was the most precious heritage of Parliament and he would do nothing to limit that right, the Speaker (Hon. Mr. Rosevear) told the Federal House of Representatives to-day. He was defending his decision to allow Mr. Mountjoy (Labour, Western Australia) to ask questions concerning Mr. A. R. Barclay, the secretary of a political organisation known as the Sane Democracy - League. “If a member in asking a question casts a reflection on a private individual, that is to be deplored, if reflection is without foundation,” said Mr.Rosevear. "But it is not for the Speaker to restrain the freedom of speech. It is for the House to deal with anv member who abuses tho privileges of the House.” FATAL COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN SYDNEY. (Rec. 9.50.) SYDNEY, April 20. Three men blown to pieces and two others were badly burned in an explosion at Balmain colliery', Sydney, to-day. With a roar that shook the ground for miles, a geyser of smoke shot up from the pit mouth where men were at work sealing the i mine. The district for hundreds of yards around was showered with flyins?- debris. The bodies of the men killed were found more than one hundred yards away from the mine shaft in which the explosion occurred. Mathane gas is extracted from this mine, and it is believed the explosion was caused by a lighted match. *' MR. CURTIN’S HEALTH. (Rec. 11.10.) SYDNEY, April 20. The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, who has been indisposed for the past two days, was absent from Parliament again to-day. The Treasurer, Mr. Chifley, was in charge of the House of Representatives. Mr. Cur- | tin’s absence is reported to be on the advice of his doctors, who are pleased with his general improvement in health. He is expected to resume his duties in Parliament next week.