FACING A CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 139, 10 December 1930, Page 11

FACING A CRISIS

MINISTERS IMPRESSED

NATIONAL COUNCIL PROPOSED

OA.NBEBRA, 9th December. . Speaking on the motion for the adjournment of tho House of Bupresentatives to-day, Mr. J. G. Latham, Leader of the Federal Opposition, declared that Australia was threatened by an imminent national crisis, the grave effects of which would be felt after Christmas, when . many large factories and big stores would, close, throwing thousands more into tho ranks of the unemployed. lie proposed the appointment of a National Council, representing all political interests, to devise measures to meet the crisis. Tho council must be representative of all classes of tho community. Party politics must be sunk. An attempt should be made to formulato a, plan for from three to "five- years' duration for the rehabilitation of industry, and it would ultimately be tho responsibility of the Commonwealth and State Governments to determine whether the plan evolved by this council should be accepted or modified. Other members of the Opposition endorsed Mr. Latham's remarks, after which Mr. J. E. Feltou, Acting-Prime Minister, said tho proposal was very important, and needed consideration. Tho Ministers fully appreciated tho plight of tho rural industries and tho vast amount of unemployment. He would place the suggestion before the j members of tho party. The motion for an adjournment was negatived on the voices.