Political Leaders' Views

Northern Advocate, 12 August 1948, Page 5

Political Leaders' Views

Comments by political leaders were: The Prime Minister (Mr Chifley): ‘‘The matter will be the subject of a report by the acting Attorney-General (Senator McKenna).” Tire Leader of the Opposition (Mr Menzies); “I am delighted. The decision shows that the Prime Minister had no power to put his scheme into operation, but this limitation on the Federal power is completely in line with Australian public sentiment.” The acting Leader of the Opposition (Mr E. J. Harrison): “The judgment will be acclaimed not only by the people of Australia, but also by those of other English-speaking Countries and in those nations where funds are available for investment in Australian enterprise.” The Federal president of the Liberal Party (Mr R. G. Casey): “Now the Australian people can breathe again. Australia has been living under the shadow of great anxiety.” The Leader of the Country Party (Mr A. W. Fadden): “This decisive setback, taken with the unmistakable attitude of the Australian people, should make the Government forget all thought of foisting its socialistic policy on the pation.”

The Minister of Transport and External Territories (Mr E. J. Ward): “Racehorses are accustomed to upsets of form, but the High Court never. I’m not a bit surprised at the decision.” The president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (Mr McClarey) and the secretary (Mr A. E. Monk: “The judgment shov/s the fundamental weakness of the Australian Constitution which prevents the Federal Parliament from passing legislation in a democratic country. The result is deplorable for Australia’s future.” The Premier of Victoria (Mr T. T. Iiollway): “The judgment is another step along the retreat from Moscow which started with the Victorian elections last year and which will be completed with the Federal elections next year.’’

Subject to appeal, the Federal Government cannot proceed with its plan to nationalise the private trading banks under the present act. The Government now has to consider whether it will appeal to the Privy Council, prepare new legislation, or drop its nationalisation proposals.