OPPOSITION THOUGHT IT QUITE A JOKE

Chronicle (Levin), 1 August 1946, Page 5

OPPOSITION THOUGHT IT QUITE A JOKE

"Received Wednesdav, 9.20 ji.m. SYDNEY, July 31. Extraets from n booklet issued by tlie Department of Inforination, entitled "Auslralia and Your Future," were quoted in Ihe House of Representatives by Dame Enid Lyons who asked tlm Minister of Information, Mr. ('alwell, if it had been jiuiilished witli the sjieeifii* intention to altr;u*t migraiils. She asked if he eonsidered the following statements from tlie booklet a l'air Iiresentation of fael: "Twentv-two shillings a week rental will provide a comfortable mifurnisheil home for a mnn, wife and three children. ' ' "Twelve oranges cost ls 6d." " Greenpeas cost 8d a jiound. " "Women 's best shoes cost £1 5s 8d a pair and ordinarv shoes iss lld." , ."Woniens readymade frocks cost £1 7s -1 d if cofton and £1 7s Sd if artiticial ,silkv" . . ... • '• 4) fltnr ex 1 ra c t s inclutle d : \ ' A' vfi f e can be adequatefv clothed for £12, 8s 2d yearlv, a bov 101. years for £9 18s 4d and a g'irl of seven for £S 19s." The reading of these iteins was accompanied by ro.ars of laugliter from Opposit ion benches. Mr.'Caldwell said that the booklet had been published under liis aufhority and that Ihe inforination had come from the St at ist iciaiTs otlice and dealt witli nonnal conditions.