British War Successes Reviewed

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 45, 22 February 1945, Page 5

British War Successes Reviewed

Duke of Gloucester’s “ Speech From the Throne ” (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.l Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. CANBERRA, Feb. 21. The war situation in Europe and in the Pacific theatre was reviewed by tbe Duke of Gloucester at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament today. After referring to the successes of the Russian armies in the east and the Allied forces in the west, the Governor-General said the outstanding event in the Pacific theatre had been the capture of Manila by the American forces. ‘ ‘ The brilliant campaign in the Philippines is the culmination of the series of great military victories that have characterised General MacArthnr’s offensive In the Southwest Pacific area. These successes are eloquent testimony to the soundness of his strategy in amphibious operations and in island warfare. “The bypassed enemy forces are formidable and much remains to be done before they are finally liquidated. As has already been announced, the Australian forces have taken over from the Americans in the Solomons, New Britain and British New Guinea. * ‘ The successes achieved on land in the Philippines are equalled by the decisive defeats which have been inflicted on .the Japanese naval forces in the Pacific. In a series of brilliant naval and air victories the enemy’s attempts to frustrate the Allied landings in the Philippines were completely defeated and the Japanese fleet has been driven back to its home waters. “The command of the sea rests with the Allies who also have absolute air superiority from carrier and landbased aircraft. With the establishment of air and naval bases in the Philippines Japanese communications through the China Sea will become precarious. When the British Pacific Fleet is deployed the combined naval strength of the United Nations will be overwhelming. In Southwest Asia steady headway is being made in the offensive operations against the Japanese in Burma. ’ ’ After referring to the achievements of the Australian forces on land, saa and air, the Duke of Gloucester referred to Australia’s effort on the home front. He mentioned that Australia’s annual expenditure on food for the services now exceeded £100,000,000, or more than the total Commonwealth revenue in a prewar year. The critical position of Australian shipping coincided with an overall pressure on tonnage, and as a result of the requirements of the eastern and western war theatres and of the liberated countries it was unlikely that the Commonwealth could expect any great Increase in help from the United Nations’ pool of shipping. But it was anticipated that by careful planning and witn the cooperation not only of the officers and crews but also of those responsible for loading, discharging and repairing ships, it would be possible to meet all these demands. The tightening of the tonnage position emphasised the need for all concerned to make the greatest possible effort to speed the dispatch of vessels and to eliminate all avoidable causes of delay. LABOUR’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME Outlining the Commonwealth Government’s legislative proposals, the Governor-General said it was intended to introduce a comprehensive Bill providing for the re-establishment of inemoers of the forces. The provisions relating to employment would cover reinstatement la civil employment, preference in employment, apprenticeship, modifications of conditions of entry into certain employments and the establishment of a Commonwealth Employment Service. It was proposed that preference would apply in employment generally whether Government or private, and that it would be available to members of the forces and to civilians who had been in actual contact with the enemy. The Government’s policy was to relax wartime controls over private business transactions as soon as the need for them was past. All controls were being kept under review to ensure that none were unnecessarily maintained. The Government s economic policy after the war would be directed to ensuring that all the available resources would be employed in ways that contributed most effectively to raising the standards of living, developing productive capacity and making adequate provision for defence. During the present session the Government would propose certain leglsia-’ tlon regarding banking to extend the functions and powers of the Commonwealth Bank, particularly in its central banking activities, and also to make provision for the regulation of the banking system generally along lines which wartime experience had shown to be desirable in the national interest. While making adequate provision for the maintenance of existing social services the Government contemplated important extensions. A universal system for unemployment aipl sickness benefits and the organisation of a comprehensive national scheme of rehabilitation for the disabled were significant in this plan. Legislation concerning benefits to seamen were contemplated. “Attention will bo given to the future population status of the Commonwealth In tho light of the declining birthrate,” concluded the Duke of Gloucester, ‘ ’ and an examination is being made of various measures as being likely to improve the situation.’’