“ATTEMPT TO EVADE DECISION”

Southland Times, Issue 25538, 5 December 1944, Page 5

“ATTEMPT TO EVADE DECISION”

Wider Powers Sought In Australia x SYDNEY, December 4. The rejection at the referendum last August of the Federal Government’s request for increased powers might be nullified by the recent discussions between the Australian and New Zealand Governments, said the Federal Opposition Leader, Mr R. G. Menzies, today. The discussions between the two Labour Governments were of immense significance.

The Federal Attorney General and Minister of External Affairs, Dr H. V. Evatt, had never made any secret of his opinion that the Commonwealth could make a treaty or agreement with another country and then give legislative effect to it.

Mr Menzies recalled that in his statement last week on international affairs, Dr Evatt said that Australia and New Zealand had agreed to press strongly for an international agreement binding themselves to pursue “domestic policies aimed at full employment,” If the Australian Parliament was to be treated as having full power to make laws for full employment, then very few matters put forward by the Government at the referendum would be beyond its powers. “Almost any law could be justified on the ground that it had some bearing upon employment, and as to Labour members employment means Government jobs, the inference of Socialism is complete,” Mr Menzies added. “The whole outlook suggests a spectacular and unprecedented attempt to evade the decision of the Australian people.”