Labour Will Wage War To Limit Of Capacity—Curtin

Northern Advocate, 8 October 1941, Page 5

Labour Will Wage War To Limit Of Capacity—Curtin

'Rec. 1 pm.) SYDNEY, This Day. A crowded meeting in the town hall last night heard the new Prime Minis- ; ter (Mr. J. Curtin) give his first pub- [ lie address since taking office. He : launched the £ 100.000,000 war and conversion loan. He said the Labour Government willingly accepted the obligation and the legacy of waging the war to the limit of Australia’s capacity and to a successful conclusion. He said he knew what the Australian people wanted. They wanted the country to be properly organised. They wanted the Government to do things requisite for the waging and winning of the war. On behalf of the Labour Government he would say that would be done with full appreciation of what it would mean to their sons and daughters and the glorious heritage handed down to the British Empire. Fadden Appeals For Unity The former Prime Minister (Mr. Fadden) made a similar stirring appeal. He called upon the community to present a united front, to eschew party politics and subordinate everything to help to win the war. The chairman announced that all banks and financial institutions had signified their intention of converting their loan. In addition several announced their intention of subscribing new money. New Government In Saddle The new Australian Labour Ministry, under the leadership of Mr. John Curtin, was sworn in today, after which members of the Cabinet assumed office and issued statements emphasising their determination to secure speedy domestic reforms and to ensure a 100 per cent, war effort. Mr. Curtin said the Labour representation on the Advisory War Cabinet would remain the same. Subjects discussed at the Cabinet’s first meeting included the appointing of a Royal Commission to investigate the allegations about the use of public moneys for a secret purpose, and plans for reviewing the working of the Information Department and other essential departments. Mostly Tyros Like most of his colleagues, Mr. Curtin has never before held a Ministerial portfolio. The States are represented in the Cabinet as follows: New South Wales, seven members; Victoria, five; Queensland, three; Western Australia two; South Australia and Tasmania, one each. The omission from the Cabinet of the former Labour Prime Minister (Mr. Scullin) was owing to his poor health and at his own request. The average age of the Ministers is 54, the oldest being Senator Collings, Minister for the Interior, who is 76, and the youngest Mr. Ward, Labour and National Service, who is 42. Missed His Chance One member of the Labour Party, a Victorian, Mr. Blackburn, who is a keen debater but a Leltt Winger, missed inclusion in the Ministry at the eleventh hour owing to his chance attendance at a recent meeting of the Soviet and Australia Friendship League. This, under the rules of the Labour Party, automatically involved his expulsion. The newspapers generally approve the Labour Administration and expressed the hope that it will be given a fair trial. Opposition Leadership The question who will become Leader of the Opposition will be decided on Wednesday, and is now creating interest. It is one which brings Mr. Menzies back into the picture. It is understood 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 selection.

All the elements which weighed against Mr. Menzies prior to his recent resignation of the Prime Ministership, particularly his personal unpopularity, will come against him in the event of his being a candidate for the leadership. N.Z. Good Wishes The following cablegram has been sent to the Prime Minister by the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr. Fraser): “On behalf of the New Zealand Government I extend their sincere wish that your Government will be successful in promoting the great war effort of Australia and in otherwise shaping beneficially her high destiny in this critical hour for democracy and the democratic peoples. “We trust and believe that the close co-operation in our common causa* which has existed between Australia and New Zealand since the outbreak of war will continue in the most cordial and comradely manner, until victory is won over Nazi and Fascist tyranny. With personal good wishes/'