FULL CONTROL BY CABINET

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22201, 19 February 1942, Page 5

FULL CONTROL BY CABINET

Australia On War Footing By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 18. The Federal War Cabinet will meet to-day to prepare the necessary regulations for the complete mobilisation 1 of all Australia’s resources. The gazetting of some 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 the regulations. A move to reduce to a minimum the petrol used for non-war purposes is expected almost immediately. Palembang, which was taken by the Japanese, 1 was the major source of the Australian I petrol supply. It is believed that the : Government intends to restrict some 1 forms of amusement, abolish others and make people use their leisure in some form of defence service. The Army Minister (Mr F. M. Forde) 1 said, however, that he believed that the Government would be able to obtain the men required at present from the age groups already proclaimed. Will Override States The “Daily Telegraph” states that the Government will, in future, unhesitatingly override State opposition to any Commonwealth proposal connected with the war effort. Senior Federal Ministers said that this was clearly indicated in Mr Curtin’s announcement that Cabinet had decided to take full control of every section of national life. The Federal Government considered the war position so critical that Premiers’ conferences and prolonged consultations with the State authorities would be no longer held. Mr Curtin Indisposed The Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) was unable to attend the War Cabinet to-day. He became ill after launching the loan yesterday and entered St. Vincent’s Hospital suffering from acute gastritis. He expects to be well enough to go to Canberra to-morrow for the secret session of Parliament. 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 Forde) said these decisions, also others affecting the defences of Australia, cannot be announced at present for security reasons. Mr Forde said the Government was still without Information about the Australians in Singapore. The marine war risk insurance provisions were extended to-day to cover the liabilities of shipowners arising from the capture or detention of masters, officers and crews. The regulations have also been extended to cover ships other than Australian which the War Risk Insurance Board may specify. Senator Ashley, Postmaster-General, announced that the commercial radio telephone service between Australia, the United States and the Netherlands (East Indies is to be withdrawn from normal use. The suspension was essential, he added, in the interests of security. Factories to Close 1 A number of factories in Victoria and South Australia are being closed shortly as the first step in the Federal . Government’s policy of eliminating ; non-essential industries and diverting their employees to war work. An announcement to this effect was made to-night by the Minister of War i Organisation of Industry (Mr J. J. i Deedman) who said the decree would operate on February 28. Those affecti ed would include, manufacturers of art i metal ceilings, architectural ornaments, ■ advertising showcards, bath-heaters, billiard tables, carpet sweepers, cement i ornaments, children’s tricycles, scooters, confectionery, cordial machines, deck chairs, electric washing machines, fancy earthenware, leather cases, fur coats and similar garments, men’s evening dress wear, racecourse equipment, musical instruments, skates, jewellery, machines, paper novelties, walking sticks and all types of machinery for the manufacture of the foregoing articles.