POST-WAR ECONOMY

Southland Times, Issue 24871, 10 October 1942, Page 5

POST-WAR ECONOMY

(Rec. 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, October 9. “Leading industrial experts now cooperating in war production should be diverted to assist in Australia’s postwar economic planning,” recommends a special parliamentary committee on social services. The committee declared that the Commonwealth’s ' post-war economic planning should be directed by three experts, with sub-committees to deal with public works development, secondary industry developments, rural rehabilitation, demobilization and repatriation. An examination of the development of major public works as possible avenues of employment for demobilized servicemen was recommended. The types of public works suggested were water conservation and irrigation, power generation, land reclamation, building construction and communications. ‘ National schemes of unemployment benefits, housing and health were proposed as post-war social services. Maternal and child welfare services for all Australians irrespective of their circumstances were other proposals. The committee suggested that a large proportion of the demobilized army doctors should be diverted to a national medical scheme.