PLEDGED TO VICTORY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 263, 8 October 1941, Page 7

PLEDGED TO VICTORY

AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE HUGE LOAN~ LAUNCHED. (United Press Association—Copvright) (Rec. 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. T. At a crowded meetiug in the Town Hall, last night, the new Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtiu), in his first public address, launched a £100,(J00,U00 war and conversion loan. Mr Curtin said the Labour Government willingly accepted the obligation and legacy of waging the war to the limit oi Australia's capacity and to a successful conclusion. He knew what the Australian people wanted; they wanted the country to be properly origanised; they wanted the Government to do the things requisite for waging I and winning tne war. On behalf of the Labour Government he declared that would be done with a full appreciation of what it would mean to their sons and daughters. The former Premier (Mr Fadden), ill a similar stirring appeal, called j upon the community to present a unitied front, eschew party politics, and I subordinate everything to help win the war. | The chairman announced that all the ! baidis and financial institutions had ', signilied their intention of converting : their loans and, in addition, several i had announced their intention of subscribing new money. The new Labour Ministry was sworn in yesterday, after which the members of Cabinet assumed office and issued j statements emrjhasising their determini ation to secure speedy domestic reforms ;and ensure a 100 per cent, war effort. ! The various States are represented in the Cabinet as follows: New South Wales, seven; Victoria, five; Queensland, three; Western Australia, two; South Australia and Tasmania, each one. Mil SCULLIN'S OMISSION. The omission of the former Labour Prune Alin.sier (Mr Scullm) from tne Cawnet is due to Ins poor health, and at his own request, the average age of tne Ministers is 54, tne oldest being tSenaior Codings, who is 76, and the youngest Air \\ ard, who is One memoer of the party, the Victorian, Mr Dlaekburn, wlio is a keen debater but a Leit Winger, missed inclusion in the Ministry at the eleventh hour owing Lo his chance attendance at a recent meeting of the Soviet Australia Friendship League which, under the rules ot tlie Labour Party, automatically involved his expulsion.

The newspapers generally approve the .Labour Aununiscration and express the hope that it will be given a fantrial, 'the question of who will become Leader of the Opposition is being decided to-day and is now creating interest whicu brings Air Monzies back into the picture. It is understood that the post will be filled at a joint meeting of the United Australia and United Country Parties and that Mr Fadden is almost certain to receive the selection. All the elements which weighed against Mr Menzies prior to his resignation of the Prime Ministership, particularly his personal unpopularity, will come against him in the event of his becoming a candidate for the leadership.