LATEST NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22204, 25 November 1943, Page 4

LATEST NEWS

STATE IN BUSINESS CANBERRA. Nov 23 The Commonwealth Government may engage in industrial activities after the war in competition with private enterprise, says the political correspondent of the Sydney Daily Telegraph. This was hinted at by the Prince Minister. Mr J. Curtin, when he indicated that the Government would seek the constitutional powers necessary to do this by including the question of Commonwealth trade in the referendum which will probably be held next year. The Prime Minister said the Government had about £130.000.000 of public money invested 'in munition factories. When the war ended these assets would be lost completely to the nation unless they were converted to the manufacture of peace-time goods. Eefore this could be done the Commonwealth Government must be given wider post-war powers. Mr Curtin's statement was made on the first anniversary of the constitutional convention. when delegates representing all the State Parliaments agreed to transfer the necessary post-war powers to the Commonwealth Government by voluntary legislation. ADEQUATE FAMILY WAGE CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday The New Zealand Labourers’ Federation resolved that the Government be asked to expedite the implementation of the election promise given by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, as Leader of the Labour Party to bring into being an adequate family wage calculated to maintain the average family at a reasonable standard of comfort.