Forecasts Stringent Australian Budget

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 5

Forecasts Stringent Australian Budget

CANBERRA. This Day,

A hint that the people of Australia would have to face further hardships under the 1943-44 Budget to be introduced shortly was given by the GovernorGeneral (Lord Gowrie) at the opening of Parliament today. He said that the Budget would be the greatest in Australia’s history, and the financial burden which the people would have to meet would be grievous. His Excellency forecast that, with the improvement in the strategical position, the Government would deal with such problems as rural manpower. The time was now due to reconsider those classes of production which had been unduly depressed because of the earlier paramount urgency of other demands. It was essential that Australia should determine the precise limits and nature of her military and civil contributions. The Government, confident of victory, was preparing plans for organisation and development of the resources of Australia in peace. Provision would be made for certain social services without which any scheme of reconstruction would be in vain.

The Government would continue to make adequate provision for the restoration to their rightful place in civil life of the fighting forces and the re-estab-lishment in post-war industry of those who had been diverted to war production. The sacrifices of all men and women who had served in various spheres of war activity would receive the full recompense of the nation. The Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin), who is suffering from influenza, was unable to attend the opening of Parliament.