GREATER WAR EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 138, 13 May 1941, Page 5

GREATER WAR EFFORT

LABOUR’S AIM IN N.S.W. SYDNEY, May 12. The Premier-elect, Mr MeKell, in his first public pronouncement since the election victory, gave to day an assurance that the new 'Labour Government will conduct an intensive search for every eligible man for the war effort. He said lie intends at the outset to comb the State Public Service to discover how many capable administrators and technicians can apply their energies to the war task. Mr MeKell said he feels there are quite a number of persons doing routine work who could render more valued service in the present crisis, and this will also apply to men outside the Public Service whose activities to some extent are being wasted. Mr MeKell promised that the war effort of New South Wales would !>c stepped up “from Mr Muir’s leisurely 50 per cent, to 100 per cent.’’

VITAL BY-ELECTION

Should Labour win the Bootbbv byelection in South Australian on Saturday week, as it expects to do, the Menzies Government will face an embarrassing situation. Success at Bootlibv would bring the Labour strength to 37 of the 74 voting members in the House of Representatives. Opposed would be 35 Government supporters with two Victorian Independents. Messrs Coles and Wilson, holding the balance of power. The Labour leader (Mr Curtin) stated to-day that if the Government loses Bootlibv lie expects it to resign to make wav for a Labour administration.