ALL RESOURCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24203, 19 February 1942, Page 7

ALL RESOURCES

AUSTRALIA'S EFFORT DRASTIC CHANGES MADE LEISURE FOR DEFENCE (Reed. 11.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 18 Decisions which will bring about drastic changes in the economic and industrial life of Australia were made by the War Cabinet to-day. The deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. F. M. Forde, said these decisions, also others affecting the defences of Australia, were not to be announced at present for security reasons.

Mr. Forde said the Government was still without information about the Australian troops in Singapore at the time of its surrender. Marine war risk insurance provisions were extended to-day to cover liabilities of shipowners arising from the capture or detention of masters, officers and crews. Regulations had also been extended to cover ships other than Australian which the War Risk Insurance Board may specify. Badio Telephone Stopped

Senator Ashley, Postmaster-General, announced that commercial radio telephone services between Australia, the United States and the Netherlands East Indies are to be withdrawn from normal use. The suspension was essential, he added, in the interests of security.

The gazetting of some of the regulations may not be practicable immediately. It is understood that the Government's view is that if detailed explanations were given of what it has in mind selfish people would try to forestall regulations. It is believed that the Government intends to restrict some forms of amusement and abolish others, and make people use their leisure in some form of defence service. Men Still Available

Mr. Forde said, however, that he believed the Government would be able to obtain the men required at present from the age groups already proclaimed.

Mr. Curtin was unable to attend the War Cabinet meeting to-day. He became ill after launching the loan yesterday and entered St. Vincent's Hospital with acute gastritis. He expects to be well enough to go to Canberra to-morrow for the secret session.

No State Interference The Sydney Daily Telegraph says the Federal Government will in future unhesitatiugly over-ride State opposition to any Commonwealth proposal connected with the war effort. Senior Federal Ministers have said this is clearly indicated in Mr. Curtin's announcement that the Cabinet has decided to take full control of every section of national life. The Federal Government considers the war position is so critical that Premiers' conferences and prolonged consultations with the State authorities would no longer be held. Three minor adjustments of the Federal Ministry have been announced by Mr. J. Curtin. The Minister of External Territories, Senator Fraser, whose department has less to do because of war developments, will also act as Minister assisting the Minister of the Army, Mr. F. M. Forde. The Minister of Commerce, Mr. W. J. Scully, and the Minister of Health, Mr. E. J. Hollsway, have been added to the production executive.