GOVERNOR-GENERAL McKELL OPENS FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1948, Page 5

GOVERNOR-GENERAL McKELL OPENS FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

(Rec. 9.5). CANBERRA, Sept. 1. Rt. Hon. Mr E. McKell, GovernorGeneral of Australia, to-day . opened his first session of ‘ Parliament since his appointment as Governor-General. Mi’ McKell said that the' Government had taken drastic measures to curtail the country’s dollar expenditure, and was at the same time doing everything possible to increase Australia’s dollar earnings. It was, he said, the firm intention of the Government to give all possible help to the United Kingdom in tier great recovery efforts. The Government had developed a programme for the organisation of post-war defence forces in Australia, having regard- also to Australian cooperation in an Empire regional scheme, and to the fulfilment of their obligations under the United Nations Charter. r He stated that the rocket range project in Australia was proceeding satisfactorily, in collaboration with the British authorities. There was to be a joint war production staff. It was to be established particularly from the angle of the development of Australia as the main support area in the Pacific. The Governor-General said that Rt. Hon. J. B. Chifley, Prime Minister, had already indicated Australia’s support of the policy of the British and American authorities in Berlin. He added that his advisers had not relaxed their efforts to obtain an early peace settlement in the Pacific, with Australia having full rights as a participating principal in drawing up of peace.