Political Crisis In Australia

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1943, Page 5

Political Crisis In Australia

(Special) SYDNEY, This Day. The Australian political situation has been seriously complicated by the decision of the Senate Opposition to attempt to secure an amendment of the National Emergency Act to enable militia to serve anywhere in the world. The possibility of an early general election on the militia issue is being widety discussed. The former Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) has resigned from the Opposition Executive and another member of the War Council (Mr. Spender) has also placed his resignation in the hands of the Opposition Executive. Both men took this action after they had tried unsuccessfully to induce a joint meeting of the Opposition parties to reverse the previous decision against any amendments of the Government’s Militia Bill. It has also been announced that Mr. Menzies twill move an amendment to the Militia Bill. Menzies’ Attitude

A second amendment is to be moved by the Independent member (Mr. Coles). Political observers believe that the result of these events may be a major split on the Opposition side of the House, possibly resulting in two Opposition sections, one comprising the bulk of the present Opposition as led by Mr. Fadden with others led by Mr. Menzies.

“It is obvious to Opposition members that Mr. Menzies and Mr. Spender have both changed their original attitude because of the Press campaign and other influences outside Parliament,” writes the “Sydney Morning Herald” political correspondent today.

“Some critics also associate the move with the formation in Melbourne of a new party described as the Ex-Service-men’s Party. Ever since he resigned from the Prime Ministership, Mr. Menzies’ attitude has been generally one of non-co-operation either with the Government or with his own leader, Mr. Fadden.” All Precedent Broken

“Messrs. Menzies and Spender are doing even worse than turning this issue over (o domestic strife,” declares the “Sydney Morning Herald” editorially. How far they will split the Opposition, depends upon the loyalty and good sense of the rank and file of its two component parties. “The truth remains that Mr. Curtin has brought the Labour Party, despite all precedent, to endorse a vitally important principle—that the area of service by citizen forces shall not be confined to Australian territory but shall be enlarged to cover service abroad in accordance with national needs.

“To precipitate an election over the limits of such service would arouse needless and ignoble strife at a time when the nation can least afford to exhibit itself in such disorder. “The Opposition should do nothing to cause such a calamity.” Election Possible Because of its majority in the Senate the Opposition is expected to be able to pass quickly through the Senate a Bill removing all restrictions on militia service. Such a move might possibly lead to the resignation of the Government or dissolution of Parliament, though it need not necessarily do so. “Neither Britain nor America has the slightest doubt that Australia will carry out in full its maximum contribution to the Allied cause,” declared the Minister for the Army (Mr. Forde) in a national radio talk. Britain and America, he added, regarded the Militia Bill as entirely a domestic issue for Australia. Defends Militia Bill The debate on the Militia Bill which recently took place in the Commonwealth has given rise to some misunderstandings. isojys the Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr. J. L. Menzies') in a statement to the Press.

The suggestion that the Militia Bill debate is to determine the extent to which Australia will fight the war is entirely out of perspective. The kernel of the debate is whether militia units under General MacArthur's command will be able to serve anywhere in the same way as A.I.F. units under the same command. The issue is not whether Australian troops can serve anywhere in the world. Australia has already enlisted forces of more than 380,000 who volunteered for service anywhere required. Volunteer forces which have been raised in Australia are equivalent to a 2,500,000 British or 7.250,000 American expeditionary force in relation to population.

It is unthinkable that at any stage of the war, Australia with 3,000.000 square miles and 28,000 miles of coastline to defend could send more than this number outside its own continental borders. The issue is therefore, not whether the Australians can participate to the full capacity in any fighting outside Australia itself, but merely whether the conscripted militia, which has been called up to supplement the A.1.F., can be placed under General MacArthur’s control with full freedom of action within his command.

One In Every Two In Uniform

The Official Opposition in Parliament recognises this position and the Leader of the Opposition, in a speech, accepted the Prime Minister’s assurance that the scope of the Bill provided xor all General MacArthur’s strategic requirement and fori that reason the Leader of the Opposition indicated that his party would support the Bill.

It is felt in Australia that much of the Press comment on this issue is unreal and ungenerous in view of the fact that fighting forces personnel exceeds 10 per cent of population and includes one in every two males between the ages of 18 and 45 in the country. It is important to realise that Australia, in addition to raising fighting forces, exceeding 750,000 has also imposed industrial conscription to a degree not achieved anywhere in the British Empire or America. Some 68 per cent of men and women between 14 and 65 are today either in the armed forces or working in war industries.