LABOUR CHOICE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22659, 12 July 1945, Page 5

LABOUR CHOICE

FEDERAL LEADERSHIP MR CHIFLEY FAVOURED MENTION OF MR MAKIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, July 12 The interim Prime Minister of Australia, Mr F. M. Forde, and the Federal Treasurer, Mr J. B. Chifley, have both decided to contest the election for leadership of the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party in succession to Mr Curtin. Mr Forde and Mr Chifley announced their intentions in separate statements last night. The ballot will be held at a special meeting of the party tomorrow. Whoever fails to secure the position of leader is considered almost certain to become deputy-leader. “Mr Chifley seems certain to be Prime Minister of Australia from tomorrow,” says the Sydney Sun’s Canberra correspondent. “His decision to stand for leadership of the Federal Labour Party was made under heavy pressure from all sections of the party. Mr Forde is generally not regarded .as an election winner, while Mr Chifley is so regarded, which at once „ - ives him an immense advantage. “In addition to Mr Chifley and Mr Forde there may be two other candidates for the Prime Ministership. They are the Minister of the Navy, Mr N. J. Makin, who has 21 years of experience in Parliament behind him, and the Minister of External Affairs, Dr. H. V. Evatt, who will automatically be a candidate unless he is able to inform the caucus that he is not standing. So far no contact has been made with Dr. Evatt (who is on his way home from San Francisco). If iit is obvious that party feeling is against his election, Mr Forde may decide to drop out.” Mr Curtin’s Closest Friend Both Mr Forde and Mr Chifley were loyal lieutenants to Mr Curtin. Mr Chifley was the late Prime Minister’s closest friend. During Mr Curtin’s illness, and while Mr Forde was at the San Francisco Conference, he acted as Prime Minister and won admiration for the way in which he filled the position. Mr Chifley is a quiet, serious personality, representing the Right Wing of the Labour Party. His grip of finance is remarkable considering his early lack of education. Until he entered politics he was an enginedriver, but now is comfortably off, thanks to thriftiness. His handling of the Banking Bill, which will increase the scope of the Commonwealth Bank and, through it, control of private loans, showed shrewdness. Mr Chifley is not a strong debater. Mr Forde, on the other hand, is an able speaker with a good delivery. He is always dressed smartly, enjoys robust health and has tremendous energy, a fair percentage of which he expends in maintaining good relations with his electors in Capricornia, Queensland. Although Mr Curtin beat him by only one vote for leadership of the party in 1936, he gave his chief unswerving loyalty in their long association. Mr Forde’s critics say his geniality and desire to please are his greatest weaknesses. PRODUCTION IMPROVING RESULT OF RECENT RAINS (Received July 12, 1 p.m.) CANBERRA, July 12 An improvement in Australia’s food production as a result of recent rains is revealed in official statements on meat, butter, cheese and wheat. Greatly increased supplies of meat will be sent to Britain from September. Production for 1945/46 will be very much better than for the past year. Butter production compared with last year has been improving, and as with meat the surplus will go to Britain and the Services instead of being used to increase the Australian ration. Cheese production is improving. The December harvest of wheat should be at least 150,000,000 bushels, or three times the 1944/45 production.