Mr. Curtin Defends Himself From "Sniping" Attacks

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1942, Page 3

Mr. Curtin Defends Himself From "Sniping" Attacks

Special Australian Correspondent.

Direct challenge issued to Opposition.

Rec. 11.45 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 20. "Parliament can either accept my administration or get another one," the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, has declared. A controversy over the censorship, combined with recent Opposition criticism of certain Federal Ministers responsible for industrial reorganisation, may provoke a major political showdown in AusObservers consider that Mr. Curtin s declaration means the Government would welcome during the coming session of Parliament any political test, possibly to the lengths of involving a general election as soon as the war circumstances permit. Mr. Curtin's remarks were provoked by recent com- '■ plaints by the deputy-leader of the Opposition, Mr. W. M. Hughes, that he had been the victim of "political censorship." These complaints have been followed by a wide newspaper controversy. "While Parliament accepts my administration I expect support from all sections of the country," said the Prime Minister. "I do not expect consistent sniping from men who, when in office, practised every one of the vices they apparently are now discovering. "I am more than ever convinced that the Japanese had some knowledge of the Solomons attack. There were men yelling for offensives when they knew that these were being undertaken. I shall treat any attack on the Government in relation to the conduct of the war as a vital issue. I am not going to wait six months for crumbling and white-anting

to set in. Mr. Curtin made it clear that his outburst against 'political sniping" is intended as a direct challenge to the Opposition. In a second statement Mr. Curtin has repeated his declaration that any wartime Government is entitled to the support of both Parliament and the people unless Parliament is prepared to take the responsibility of changing the Government. The latest developments in Australia's

political crisis include: A declaration by Mr. Curtin that his administration was the best Australia could produce at present; a claim by Mr. Curtin that Government critics should not make publicly criticisms that will be monitored by Tokio; an announcement by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A. W. Fadden, that the Opposition, while not wishing to embarrass the Government, "woiild not remain silent "regarding cases of administrative ineptitude and abuse of power such as have occurred since Labour assumed office." The first major showdown in the crisis is expected when the advisory war council meets late next week, but most political observers do not believe that Federal elections are imminent. Despite Mr. Curtin's challenge there is still no suggestion that the Opposition will make a serious attempt, by introducing a censure motion, to defeat the Government when Parliament meets next month. However, subjects on which the Government is likely to be strongly attacked include: Censorship. overseas, failure to introduce compulsory war loans, allegations of bungling and party political bias by the Minister of War Organisation and Industry, Mr. J. J. Dedman, and the Minister of Labour, Mr. E. J. Ward. Resignaticn Unlikely. Despite the fact that the Administration holds office only by the support of two Independent members, the chances of Mr. Curtin resigning are remote. His statements are a challenge to the Opposition to oust him rather than a hint that he may throw in the towel. It is generally conceded that Labour would welcome an election now, while the Oppo-

sition prefers to wait until next year in the prospect that there will be a swing away from Labour. However, the next Parliamentary session is expected to be the stormiest since the Fadden Government fell last October.