AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1945, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

FODDER POSITION GRAVE. (Rec. 11.8.) CANBERRA, May 16. A.ustralia’s fodder position was at its lowest point, said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Scully), in the House of Representatives. There could be no improvement until the arrival of the first shipment of grain sorghum from the United States in July. The Acting-Premier' of New South Wales (Mr. Braddeley), said in Sydney to-day, that the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Graham), who had returned after searching for fodder in West Australia and Tasmania, might go to New Zealand, where. it was believed, substantial supplies were available. Political circles, i*i Canberra believe that the Government may have to introduce legislation to enforce fodder conservation by landowners. R.A.A.F. ENQUIRY IN CAMERA. (Rec. 10.20.) MELBOURNE, May 16. The enquiry by Mr. J. V. Barry, K.C., into allegations concerning Group Captain C. R. Caldwell and other senior officers of the R'.A.A.F., will be held in camera. Commissioner Barry said to-day that aspects of air operational activities would come under observation, and as Australia was still at war it would be in the public interest to hold proceedings' in private. After the enquiry he would submit a report to the Minister and it would then be for the Minister to decide whether the report or anj' part of it might be released to the public. Flight Lieutenant J. J. Davoren, who is appearing for Caldwell, pressed for a public enquiry. R.A.A.F. RESIGNATIONS OFFICERS TO GO NO FURTHER CANBERRA, May 15. Officers of the First Australian Tactical Air Force who had submitted applications for resignations did not intend to go further with their applications, said the Minister of Air (Mr. Drakeford), in the House of Representatives. Mr. Drake-ford said that court martial proceedings wer e initiated against Group' Captin Caldwell in connection with alleged liquor transactions in contravention of Air Force orders. In the preparation of his defence Group Captain Caldwell had made counter-allegations which on the face of them implicated certain others, and proceedings against him had accordingly been suspended.

Mr. Barry, would commence his inquiry immediately upon terms of reference sufficiently wide to embrace any matters at. issue. This action was in the interests of Group Captain Caldwell, and it would be inequitable Mr. J. V. Barry, K.C., had been appointed Commissioner to inquire into and report upon these allegations, to place upon him, as an accused officer, the burden of seeking to establish facts which, if 'true, were appropriate for action, by the highest service authorities.