FEDERAL POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 June 1943, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

MINISTER CLIMBS DOWN ALLEGED MISSING DOCUMENT ROYAL COMMISSION TO BE SET UP Canberra, June 24. Mr Ward, Minister of Labour and National Service, in the House of Representatives to-day withdrew unreservedly his allegation that an important document regarding the “Brisbane Line” was missing from the official files of the War Cabinet. After a conference with Mr Curtin and Mr Forde, Mr Ward said he was satisfied the document was still in existence. “I received an assurance from Mr Curtin that no document is missing from the file and' I unreservedly accept that assurance,” said Mr Ward. Mr Curtin announced in the House of Representatives to-night that a Royal Commission would be appointed to inquire into Mr Ward’s allegations regarding the missing document, and pending the report Mr Ward would be relieved of administration. Mr Curtin will confer with Mr Fadden (Leader of the Opposition) regarding the personnel of the Commission and the terms of reference.

In the concluding hours of the noconfidence debate in the House of Representatives, Mr Curtin promised an investigation into the allegations by the Minister of Labour, Mr Ward, that an important War Cabinet document had disappeared. The missing document is alleged to have concerned the defence plan evolved while the Menzies Government was in office. Mr Ward implied that the document concerned the “Brisbane Line” and that it had disappeared before the Curtin Government took office. In demanding an enquiry the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Fadden, said unle ; Mr Ward’s allegation was investigated and the Minister disciplined Opposition members could not continue to serve on the Advisory War Council. Mr Curtin had earlier repudiated Mr Ward’s charge and stated he knew of no missing War Cabinet documents. However, political correspondents say Mr Ward insists on the authenticity of his information, although he has declined to divulge its source. The Prime Minister is expected to make a further statement on the matter later in the week. —P.A.