AUSTERITY DAYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 65, 19 March 1943, Page 3

AUSTERITY DAYS

IMPACT OF WAR FELT IN AUSTRALIA FACING SEVERE CHANGES IN WAY OF LIFE t Special Australian Correspondent— N.Z. P.A., Recd. 6 p.m. Sydney, March 18. With the launching of the third Liberty Loan of £lOO,OOO <9OO and the passing through both Houses of Parliament of the disputed Income Tax Bill, making Australian taxation the highest among the united democracies, this country is now confirmed and established In its “austerity” war routine. Changes in the Commonwealth’s national life have been sharpened in recent months by the intensified war economy. To-day almost seven out of every 10 of Australia’s working population (5,000,000 in a total population of 7,000,000) are employed in support of the war effort—in the fighting forces, industry and essential civilian services. The impact of the tremendous change-over from normal peace-time production and economy is now being increasingly felt. Primary producers are warning that the approaching winter will see the Commonwealth faced with some bread shortages. Additional manpower is admitted to be the solution to this problem, but Mr. Curtin is adamant in resisting pressure to release servicemen for primary production. “When the alternative is men to fight or a shortage in some foods,” he said, “we must tighten our belts.” ToAlay milk is quota rationed for civilian consumption. Some meats, such as beef, and fish are scarce, while vegetables and fruit are in short supply in the cities and prices are high. Because of a dispute in the baking industry, bread was virtually unprocurable in Sydney for three days this week. However, while the rationing of more foodstuffs is probable before the end of the year, no one will go hungry or lack essentials to health. Like New Zealand, Australia is feeding great numbers of American troops in the southern Pacific. The Australian clothes rationing is already more stringent than the New Zealand scale and is expected to be made even more severe next June.

Australians will be also given a lessening opportunity to spend their money. For example, it is likely that fewer lines of furniture may be permitted (only 20 per cent, of ths pre-war output is now being produced) and that the entertainment industry will have to surrender more manpower. Liquors and tobaccos are in short supply and retailers carefully husband their rationed stocks. Because of the liquor shortage it is not uncommon for hotel bars to be closed on two or three consecutive days, and the barley shortage may result in a further curtailment of 'the beer quota. Many country hotels are so short of manpower that they are unable to serve meals to travellers and can provide only beds. City cafe diners have become used to the maximum charges of 4s for lunch and 5s for dinner—and nowadays one seldom hears the term “austerity meals.”

The brownout in Australian cities has not been modified to the same extent as in New Zealand, and there has been no re-introduction of the late night shopping. Many stores now display notices, “Be kind to our staff; they are harder to get than customers.” While by no means free of industrial troubles (including absenteeism and stoppages) these were reduced in 1942 to almost one-third of their 1941 proportions. This compares very favourably with figures in Britain and the United States. Main criticisms against Mr. Curtin’s Labour Government (which is in office only with the support of two Independent members and lacks a Senate majority) have been based on the handling of industrial disputes and the threat of financial inflation.

The pre-war cost of living in Australia has been increased by more than 22 per cent, against the 13 per cent, reported for New Zealand. Mr. Curtin, succeeding Mr. Menzies and Mr. Fadden as Australia’s third wartime Prime Minister, enjoys personally the whole-hearted support of all interests. While there has been agitation for a national government, so far few have disputed that Mr. Curtin is best fitted to lead such a government. Most Canberra political correspondents believe that Mr. Curtin’s personal popularity will carry the day for Labour if an election is held at this juncture—although many believe Labour’s popularity is waning.

The war has made Australians increasingly conscious of the need for developing overseas relationships. New Zealand affairs recently have been much more prominent in the news than was the case even six months ago. Australia, faced with post-war social rehabilitation and housing problems, is striving to learn from New Zealand’s experience in these matters. While all the emphasis here is still on winning the war, the shape of things to come after the war is being increasingly discussed and a department under the control of the Federal Treasurer, Mr. J. B. Chifley. is already working on post-war reconstruction problems.