HEAVY BURDENS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1943, Page 3

HEAVY BURDENS

IN PROSPECT IN AUSTRALIA GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH. AT OPENING OF FEDERAL. PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, September 23. A hint that the people of Australia would have to face further hardships under the 1943-44 Budget, to be introduced sh’ortly, was given by the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, at the opening of Parliament today. He said the Budget would be the greatest in Australia’s history. The financial burden which the people would have to meet would be grievous. He forecast that with the improvement in the strategical position, the Government would deal with such problems as rural manpower. The time had come to reconsider those classes of production which had been unduly depressed because of the earlier paramount urgency of other demands. It was essential for Australia to determine the precise limits and nature of her military and civil contributions. The Government was confident of victory and was preparing plans for the organisation and development of the resources of Australia in peace. Provision would be made for certain social services without which any scheme of reconstruction would be in vain. • The Government would continue to make adequate provision for the restoration to their rightful place in civil life of the fighting forces and the re-establishment in post-war industry of those who had been diverted to war production. The sacrifices, of all men and women who had served in various spheres of war activity would receive the full recompense of the nation. The Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, has influenza and was unable to attend the opening of Parliament.