Nationalisation of Banks To Be Main Issue

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1947, Page 5

Nationalisation of Banks To Be Main Issue

(N.Z.P.A.-

— Reuter,

Copyright)

Received Thursday, 7.55 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 2. ' A meeting, to.clay oi the Victorian 'Cabinet is believed to. have deeided to, hol'd an. immediate election. This follows a decision by the Legislati've Co,uncil at midnight last night, to reject the ; Government Supply Bill. The Opposition deeided on this eourse in the hope of precipitating an election which it will fight on the nationalisation of banking issue. "In this very Bill the Government asks us to provide the fees. of ieading caunsel wh% put the Government 's case iu a challenge against the Banking Act in the High Court," said Sdr Frank Clark in opening the Opposition attack in the C'ouncil. He was referring to the faet that the Milbourne City Co.uncil successfully ehallenged the validity of a section of the Act , co.mpelling local authorities to- bank with the C#mmonwealth Bank. Sir Ffank Clark said that the Supply Bill was closely related l^o the nationalisation legislation. There were precedents for rejeeting the Bill but no precedents for what conf'ronted Australia today. Meanwhile public servants aredemonstrating because the rejection of the Supply Bill has held up their fortnightly pay cheques due tomorrow. Railwaymen whose pay is due next Thursday, deeided this morning to join the demonstration and held up all suburbaff trains between noon and 2 p.m. The Public Service Association organised a protest meeting at 1 p.m. today in the quadrangle behind the- State offices. At noon Vietorian trading ; banks announced that they would honour any cheques drawn on them by the Vietorian Government "regard[less of the politieal situation with respect to supply." The banks offered to advance' immediately to any State civil ser;va.nt who goes unpaid tomorrow, the equivalent of wages or salary free of. interest or charges. The Ministry is expected to introduce a Bill as soon as possible in the Legislative Assembly, to provide for two months5 supply and to- ensure the acceptance of the Bill by the Legislative CouneL by .agreeing to an election about November 15. Mr. Cain has already indicatec that another Supply Bill will be introduced. If this is passed pubTic servants in the metropolitan area will be paid tomorrow and those in the country in a few da-ys.