DIRECTION OF WAR CRITICIZED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 6

DIRECTION OF WAR CRITICIZED

Curtin Government STATEMENT ISSUED BY OPPOSITION (By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright.) 'Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 30. The Australian political situation has suddenly become charged with controversy,- and political observers say the Curtin Government will find itself seriously challenged in the Budget Parliamentary session, which begins in about a mouth. The first step in this surprise move by the Opposition is a decision to issite a . public statement, expressing profound dissatisfaction with the Govqrnment’s direction of the war, both on the political and administrative sides. The Opposition intends to charge the Government with lack of offensive spirit in its war policy, and with laxity and bungling in service administration. The Federal Opposition, at an executive meeting in Canberra today, also decided to complain of the Government’s handling of the liquor question, and it will demand more stringent Federal control if the present liquor (abuses cannot be checked by some other method. Other points on which the Opposition will attack the Government include tlie issue of taxation of the fighting services. An endeavour will be made to force the Government to exempt seri vicemen from taxation. Under the new Federal income tax scale all ranks above privates must pay tax. . Other Issues, The suggested four per cent, profits limitation and the Government’s handling of the coal production question will also be attacked. It is contended that the coal peace plan, with the provision for penalties on a strike not authorized by the miners’ district executive, is an . abdication to organized unionism of the sovereign right of Government to deal .with strikes in wartime. In a statement today on the taxation of soldiers the Federal Treasurer, Mr. Chifley, said that the pay and allowances .to members of the A.I.F. abroad were not taxed, the issue of assessments being limited to forces in Australia. Dependants’ allowances were also exempt from taxation. Mr. Curtin,' Commenting on the criticism by the Opposition of the Government’s handling of coal production, said that “the governing authority of the Miners’ Federation has been backed by the Government, so that only it and no dissentient 'minority can authorize a cessation of production.”

OPPOSITION DECIDED 4 Per Cent. Profit Limit In Australia CANBERRA, July 29. Contending that a profit limit of 4 per cent, ou business would impede the war effort, the executive of the Opposition Party in the Federal Parliament decided that it would strenuously resist any attempt by the Government to implement such a limit. In a statement issued by the executive the view is expressed that the implementing of the Government’s 4 per cent, plan v/ould detrimentally affect Australian economy at a time when soundness was vital. It would be regarded as an attempt to steer a middle course between complete socialization irfid the principle of private ownership, and as a step toward nationalization of industry, which several members of the Government had attempted to foist on the Australian public under the guise of a war necessity.