UPROAR AT CANBERRA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 22, 28 January 1943, Page 5

UPROAR AT CANBERRA

MOTION BY MR. CURTIN QUESTIONED AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

(Reed. 10.45 p.m.) Canberra, Jan. 2?. Uproar broke out only a few minutes after the Prime Minister, i Mr. J. Curtin, opened the new ses- . sion of Parliament this afternoon. [ Mr. Curtin opened proceedings With [a motion allirniing Australia's loyalty and determination to prosecute the [ war.

Opposition members questioned the reason for the motion.

Mr. Curtin replied with a speech, described by the Sydney Sun’s political correspondent as "inflammatory,” in which he threw out repeated challenges to the Opposition to overthrow his Government (which remains in office only by the support of Independent members). He declared that the 'state of the country was such that the [Opposition should either overturn the [Government or make Parliament workable.

The Prime Minister’s motion was: '“That this House declares: (1) Australia's indissoluble unity with the British I Commonwealth of Nations in its unswerving loyalty to the cause of the United Nations and its admiration for (the heroic efforts of the Allied forces; | (2) its pride in the achievements of I the Australian forces in all theatres and its intention to make provision 'for their reinstatement and advancement, and for the dependents of those I who have died or have been disabled as a consequence of the war; (3> its i determination to use the whole of the manpower and material resources of the nation in order to ensure the maximum war effort necessary to 1 bring about victory.” i The debate on the motion, which Is [stated to have been framed to give Parliament an opportunity for dis- [ cussing Australia’s war effort, is expected to be bitter and to last prob1 ably for two days.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph’s political corresnondent says the Opopsition endorses the first two sections of Mr. Curtin's motion but holds that Australia's manpower and material resources are not being used in the best possible way and drastic reforms are necessary.