AUSTERITY LIVING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 4

AUSTERITY LIVING

AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY SUPPLIES AND PRICES iWAR INCREASINGLY FELT MANPOWER DIFFICULTIES Si' Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, March IS With the launching of the third Liberty Loan of £100,000,000 and the passage through both Houses of Parliament of the disputed Income Tax Bill, making Australian taxation the highest among that of the united democracies, this country is now confirmed and established in its "austerity" war routine. Changes in the national life of the Commonwealth have been sharpened in recent months by intensified war economy. To-day almost seven out ol every 10 of Australia's working population (5,000,000 in a total population of 7,000,000) are employed in support of the war effort —in the fighting forces, in industry or in essential civilian services. Food Shortages Likely Tho impact of the tremendous rhange-over from normal peacetime production and economy is now being increasingly felt. Primary producers are issuing the warning that the approaching winter will see the Commonwealth faced with some food shortages. Additional manpower is admitted to be the solution of this problem, but the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, is adamant in resisting pressure to release servicemen for primary production. "When the alternative is men to fight or shortage in some foods,'' he naid, "we must tighten our belts." Many country hotels are so short of manpower that they are unable to serve .meals to travellers and can provide only beds. City cafe diners have become ■used to maximum charges of 4s for lunch and 5s for dinner —and nowadays one seldom hears the term "austerity meals." The brownout in Australian cities has not been modified to the same extent as in New Zealand and there has been no reintroduction of late-night shopping. Many stores now display notices, "Be kind to our staff. They are harder to get than customers." Industrial Troubles While Australia is by no means free from industrial troubles, including absenteeism and stoppages, it is interesting to note that these were reduced in 1942 to almost one-third of their 1941 proportions. This compares very "favourably with the figures in Britain and the United States. The main criticisms against the Curtin Labour Government, which is in office only with the support of two Independent members and lacks a Senate majority, has been based on the handling of industrial disputes and the threat of financial inflation. The prewar cost of living in Australia has been increased more than 22 per cent, as compared with 13 per cent reported for New Zealand. Rationing of Foodstuffs To-day milk is rationed in quotas for civilian consumption. Some meats, such as beef and fish, are scarce. Vegetables and fruit are in short supply in the cities and prices are high. Because of the dispute in the baking industry bread was virtually unprocurable in Sydney on three days of this week. However, while rationing of more foodstuffs is probable before the end of the year, no one will go hungry or lack essentials for health. Like New Zealand, Australia is feeding great numbers of American troops in the Southern Pacific. Rationing of clothes is already more stringent in Australia than in New Zealand and the scale is expected to be made even more severe next June. Australians will be given less and less opportunity to spend their money. For example, it is likely that fewer lines of furniture will be permitted—only 20 per cent of the pre-war output is now being produced —and that the entertainment industry will have to surrender more manpower. Liquors and tobaccos are in short supply and retailers are carefully husbanding their rationed stocks. Because of the liquor shortage it is not uncommon for hotel bars to be closed on two or three consecutive days. The barley shortage may result in further curtailment of the beer quota. Mr. Curtin's Popularity Mr. Curtin. in succeeding Mr. Menzies and Mr. Faddcn as Australia's third wartime Prime Minister, enjoys personally the whole-hearted support of all interests. While there has been agitation for a National Government, few commentators have so far disputed that .Mr. Curtin is the Australian best fitted to lead such a Government. Most of the Canberra political correspondents believe that Mr. Curtin's personal popularity would carry the day for Labour if an election were held- at this juncture, although many believe that Labour's popularity is waning. The war has made the Australian people increasingly conscious of the need for developing overseas relationships. New Zealand affairs have recently been much more prominent in the news than was the case even six months ago. Australia, faced with post-war social rehabilitation and housing problems, is striving 1o learn from New Zealand's experience in these matters. While all emphasis here is still on winning the war, the shape of things to come after the war is being increasingly discussed and the department under the control of the Federal Treasurer, Mr. J. B. Chifley. is already working on post-war reconstruction probl ern s