NEW FORMULA?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24630, 11 June 1941, Page 6

NEW FORMULA?

UNITY IN AUSTRALIA EYES ON MR MENZIES "MYSTERY" MOVES (0.C.) SYDNEY, June 4. Australia may shortly have a new system of political administration. Observers are talking of a "mystery" formula to bring the political parties into closer and more active co-opera-tion in the conduct of the war. Such a formula, it is said, will come from the Prime, Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, but it must be acceptable, not only to the Parliamentary Labour Party, but to the Labour caucus as well. Since the show-down in the House of Representatives last week, when Mr Menzies clashed with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. Curtin, and other Labour members on the question of unity, there has been no mention of a National Government. Even newspapers which had harped for*months on the need for such a Government seem reconciled to the ignominious death of their pet. Mr Menzies was quick to realise the hopelessness of pursuing the matter further, and in his few public utterances he has been careful to avoid discussion of home politics. That he has something in mind to stabilise the Government is obvious. He is anxious to return to Britain, and many agree he should, to sit in the councils of the British War Cabinet. But he can only do so as Australia's Prime Minister, and as a Prime Minister who knows that the Government of his own country is functioning smoothly and effectively. Position Untenable , v

That can only be . done with the assured co-operation of Labour. The position of the parties in the House of Representatives is 36—36, with an Independent. Country Party member, Mr Wilson, holding the odd seat, and incidentally the fate of the Government in his hands. Mr Wilson is aware of the power he wields over the -heads of, the parties and yields not a fraction of his independence. Naturally such a position is. untenable to, Mr Menzies, and a check to his desires and considered duty to serve the Empire in a wider field. Mr Menzies is not alone in his belief that new administrative machinery is necessary to prosecute Australia's part in the war. The Minister of Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister in the Lyons Government. Sir Earle Page, patched up a longstanding quarrel with Mr Menzies, bravely declaring that he would give 100 per cent, loyalty to the Prime Minister to help stability of government, and permit Mr Menzies to go abroad again. He suggested that Australia might take the New Zealand system as.a pattern. A Significant Utterance

More, significant, however, was the statement of Dr H. V. Evatt, Labour member of the Advisory War Council. Speaking to the Australian National Service League, he declared; "We are in the greatest jam this country and. this Emr»ire 'have ever faced. Mobilisation of our' entire resources must not only apply "to manpower and materials. It. must apply also to our every resource in intellect and courage, wherever they can be marshalled, and in the political sphere from whatever political party in which they can be obtained. We have unity of purpose, but we can improve it greatly—and 'we haven't -got much time in which to do it. -Australia must not be unaware of the unorthodox." -'•."'• •'-■••' - .- : ' ■:i/It is mot clear,if Dr Evatt was the voice of the-Labour Party when he mentioned the marshalling of intellect and courage ">in 'the ,'<political sphere from whatever political party," but he i could scarcely have suggested such a revbrutioria'ry .idea unless he knew he had some support.' :

Executive Power for War Council? Several guesses have been made at what Mr Menzies's "secret" plan may be» The most favoured is an offer to give ,the - Advisory War .CourtciL executive' 'powers,'but it must -Be>remembered that Mr Curtin contends that the present -functioning of the War Council is sufficient. He j seems to shun-administrative responsibility. Another suggestion is that committees be set up to direct the administration of individual Ministries, referring recommendations to the War Cabinet. This, however, may give rise to delays which have already been too much in evidence. Whatever the plan, Mr Menzies has much to do before he can implement it and hope to return to Britain. He 'hap l yet. to impart to .the War Cabinet and War Council the "inside" story of his last trip, decisions, and agreements he made with the British Government on Australia's behalf and the measures he-proposes for speeding up Australia's own efforts. That he will propose radical changes in Australia, and more active control of industry, products, and man-power is accepted, but to what, limits and in what proportions, to.obtain full Labour co-operation, is the vital question.