CENSURE MOTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25217, 1 June 1945, Page 8

CENSURE MOTION

AUSTRALIAN CHARGES industrial" unrest ' MENACE OF COMMUNISM By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reed. 8.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 81 A censure motion was moved in the Federal House of Representatives today by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr R. G. Menzies. The Government was attacked under five heads. Firstly, its failure to deal adequately with industrial unrest; secondly, its lack of a vigorous stand against the menace of Communist infiltration; thirdly, its denial to Parliament of a proper opportunity of dealing with the issues involved in the San Francisco Conference; fourthly, its housing deficiencies; fifthly, the collapse of its, food policy. "Most Disturbing Feature" The rise to power of Australian Communists was described by Mr Menzies as "the most disturbing feature of our domestic affairs." Tlie record of the Australian Communist, Party in relation to the war was shameful. He said the party had been opposed to the ■war and had done everything possible to frustrate the Commonwealth's war effort until Russia was brought into the conflict by the German invasion. Ever since, said Mr Menzies, the party had sought to ride into public favour on the backs of the Russian soldiers. Mr Menzies was greeted with derisive •heckling arid shouts of "more stone- ■ -walling" from the Government benches when he rose to announce the censure motion. The acting-Prime Minister, Mr J. B. Chifley, moved the suspension of Standing Orders to enable the motion to be proceeded with immediately. Industrial Troubles Supporting Mr Menzies, the Leader of the Country Party, Mr A. W. Fadden, said industrial troubles had been bo widespread in Australia that every citizen at some time or other had been at the mercy of industrial outlaws. Mr Chifley said some members of the Opposition were doing Australia a great disservice by continually besmirching its prestige. He thought it would be generally admitted that Australia had put up a wonderful war effort. He emEhatically denied that the Australian abour movement was dominated by Cbmmunism or had ever lent its support to Communism.

"WORK FOR ALL" POST-WAR AUSTRALIA = ( WHITE PAPER' CRITICISED . . . (Special Australian Correspondent) . ÜBecS. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 31 The Federal Government's White Paper%n "fulT employment in Australia," which was tabled in the House " of Representatives yesterday, is regarded by many political observers as "raising more questions than it sets out ! to answer." They see the paper as indicating the ends, but as largely ignoring '• the means. 1 Most newspaper commentators re- , card as economically impracticable the 1 Government's declared objective of I "work for all." They also view the 1 White Paper as preparing the ground 1 for further socialistic legislation. _ i • "The Commonwealth is only doing its duty in planning to stabilise employI ment after the war," savs the Sydney Morning Herald. "The White Paper reTeals a wide chasm between planning and execution, for a study of the means proposed for the fulfilment of such a programme shows them to be impracticable and intolerable in any free country." Adding that the Government's current banking bills form a part of this general programme, the newspaper says: "It is clear that the Labour Party intends to exploit to the full the power conferred on the Treasurer under the banking measures so as to exercise through the banking system a far-reach-ing-control over the community's life - and industry. Mlt should be the aim of a far-sighted financial policy to keep the total spending, and hence the total employment, Btable at a high level, without the controls of which the public is sick and tired after the strain of the past three years." CIVILIAN GOODS - AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURE JKecd. 5.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 31 The manufacture of many civilian goods previously prohibited is now per- ' mitted in Australian munition plants and factories engaged on defence contracts. These civilian goods are being made in lull periods between defence contracts. The goods include kitchenware, such as potato mashers, egg-beaters and ! vegetable slicers; engines, irrigation pumps and boring equipment; agricultural and hand gardening implements; - electrical equipment, plastic materials, refrigerators, carpet sweepers, utility . furniture, steel fence posts, pest traps mnd fishing gear. LARGE BANK NOTES WITHDRAWAL IN AUSTRALIA ICRecd. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 31 The Commonwealth Government is being urged to cancel its three months' time limit before bank notes of denominations larger than £lO are withdrawn from circulation. It is felt that the long time limit will enable tax evaders and black marketeers to dispose of their illgotten notes without embarrassment, thus defeating the purpose of the new national security regulation. Sydney banking authorities report that many people anticipated the new regulation. In recent months there has been a marked increase in the number of notes of high denomination cashed at-the banks. ' , WHARF PILLAGING INVESTIGATOR'S CHARGES ;<Becd. 5.35 p.m.) CANBERRA, May 31 A report by a Federal investigator on 'Australian wharf pillaging alleges the existence of an organised ring of pillagers under the control of two Sydney firms. Members of the police force and Customs Department are understood „ from the report to be implicated. The report claims that enormous hauls have been made by thoroughly organised groups. The vice-president of the Executive Council, Mr J. J. Beasley, has promised an immediate investigation of the allegation, and startling disclosures are anticipated. An interesting feature of the investigator's report is the revelation that individual wharf labourers are responsible for only a very small amount of pilfering. VICTORIAN POLITICS KR«cd. 8.35 p.m.) MELBOURNE, May 31 The Victorian Country Party's minority Government faces a crisis since the Legislative Assembly has passed the electoral redistribution plan, by which rural areas will lose six of the seats at ' present held by the Country Party. The Metropolitan areas will gain six seats. An attempt is being made within the Country Party to displace the Premier, Mr A. A. Dunstan, from leadership of the party. DUTCH RIGHTS IN CHINA LONDON May 30 The acting-Netherlands Foreign Minj^^r vr a i Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands have signed a treaty bv •which the Netherlands gives up its , . extraterritorial rights ia China.