August 21 Date Of Australian Poll

Northern Advocate, 30 June 1943, Page 2

August 21 Date Of Australian Poll

tßec. 1.30 p.tn.) SYDNEY,- This Day. Australia's Federal election day has now been definitely fixed for August 21. according to the Sydney “Morning Herald" political correspondent. The new Parliament is expected to meet on September 22. Mr. Curtin will probably make -i public announcement early next week. A bitter attack on the Prime Minister has been made in a broadcast address by the Leader of the United Australia Party {Mr. W. M. Hughes). When war threatened. Mr. Curtin had opposed all 'efforts to ensure Australia's defence, said Mr. Hughes,, who also claimed the Labour Government was controlled by the Labour Movement, not by the electors. “The Curtin Government is not free to direct its own course.’’ lie declared. “Its every step is dictated by outside organisations, suc-h as the Labour Conference, over whom the people have no control. Communism is beginning to grip the Labour movement and extremists will lominate party policy." Berlin Distinction

The Brisbane Line controversy has become news on the Berlin radio, which broadcast this strange version: “Mr. Curtin has introduced the tactics of Moscow , —to purge his own colleagues who protested against his tyrannical rule. The first victim of these tactics is Mr. Ward, who is reported to have lost imnortant military documents. As soon as this has been established he will be kicked out of the Cabinet and others will follow.” The Political Scene Members of Australia's Federal Parliament will begin their election campaigns as soon as Parliament is dissolved—probably on Thursday. Party leaders have worked out itineraries. The Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin), whose personal prestige may prove the greatest single factor at the polls, will open his campaign in Sydney. He is unlikely to visit his own electorate, Fremantle. until the final fortnight. Although campaigning has not yet begun, recriminations on defence matters have already come from both Government and Opposition members. “Brisbane Line" is Dangerous “This preliminary shadow sparring indicates that the "Brisbane Line” is going to lose somebody the elections,” says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph” editorially. “Let us hope the loser will not be the elector.”

Also pointing out the grave danger of the election being fought on false issues, the Sydney “Morning Herald” yesterday editorially urges Mr. Curtin to “steer the election clear of the mud in which some of his followers are preparing to wallow.” Ward Inquiry Holds Attention Much of this pre-election jockeying for position centres around the Royal Commission on statements by the suspended Minister for Labour (Mr. Ward) that he had been “most reliably informed” that a secret defence document was missing from the War Cabinet files. Mr. Ward is pressing for wide terms of inquiry, but the Opposition does hot want the commission’s scope extended beyond establishing whether Mr. Ward was so informed, and by whom lie was informed. Mr. Ward has said he will not divulge the identity of his informant.

N.Z.’s Example Quoted Critics of the Curtin Government’s defence policy consistently quote New Zealand for her readiness to despatch her armed forces overseas, and for her less vccal. pleas for assistance during the most trying months of the Pacific war Some newspaper commentators are now expressing the early view that Labour is likely to emerge from the polls with a small majority in the House of Representatives—but so much remains at issue that such prognostications are clearly premature. Only the present, represented Federal parties—Labour. United Australia and United Country parties will have any great importance at the polls. The Communist Party will support the Curtin Government. None of the other, some 30 embryonic Federal parties, is likely to achieve any prominence. Most political writers endeavour to impress on the Australian people that perhaps the greatest election issue is how the parties propose to deal with Australia’s difficulties in the immediate post-war years. The result of polling may well determine the shape of Australian post-war society. Mr Curtin has appealed for “an austerity election,” but, with all parties in control of the greatest funds in their history the polls are likely to bo expensively as well as bitterly contested. One of the measures to be brought before Parliamtnt bei’Gre if dissolves is a Bill to provide for reciprocity between Australia and New Zealand in payment of invalid and old age pesions. It is certain of approval. Royal Commission

Mr Curtin has announced that Mr Justice Lowe, of Victoria, has been appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire into Mr Ward’s allegations regarding the missing document from the file concerning the “Brisbane Line.” The terms of reference state that the commissioner will inquire into the statement by Mr Ward that such document was missing, whether Mr Ward was informed that the document was missing and the person by whom the information was given and why it was given and wheth/r the document is missing, and, if so, particulars of the document. Meantime, Mr Ward’s candidature for his present seat, East Sydney, was unanimously endorsed by a fully attended meeting of delegates from all A.L.P. branches of the electorate.