FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23695, 1 October 1940, Page 5

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

LIKELIHOOD OF DEADLOCK NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ONLY SOLUTION SYDNEY, September 30. The Government majority will not be more than two seats, and it is possible there will be a deadlock, with the Government and Labour parties equal in numbers and the Independents holding the balance of power. This is indicated in the latest election returns for the House of Representatives Cabinet Ministers admit that a National Government will be the only solution of an extremely difficult situation. The Prime Minister said be was calling a conference of all the party leaders for Friday to discuss methods of carrying on the. Government effectively in the vital interests of Australia. Mr Menzies said it was clear that at present no party would have such a majority as would give it a clear authority of power. “ I call on all men of goodwill in all parties to co-operate with a view to producing stability. To my mind the only practical course to save the country from disintegration if the war effort is not to be defeated by disorganisation is forming a national government on a basis equitable to all parties. Ih order that all the possibilities may be promptly examined, I invite Messrs Cameron, Curtin, and Beasley, as the leaders of the other parties, to meet me as the leader of the U.A.P. for a. frank discussion. It would be deplorable if Canberra had to be converted into a manoeuvring ground and nervous and mental energy was expended on party moves which could be better used in a concerted national effort.” No opinions are yet available of Mr Menzie’s offer, but it is known that while Mr Curtin will undoubtedly accept the invitation to the conference. Labour participation in a national Government is improbable. CONFERENCE PROSPECTSPRIME MINISTER'S INVITATIONS ACCEPTED SYDNEY, October 1. (Received October 2, at 11.40 a.m.) Mr Cameron (leader of the Country Party) and Mr Beasley (leader of the Non-Communist Labour Party) said they would accept Mr Menzies’s invitation to a conference to discuss the possibility of forming a National Government. Mr Cameron declared that the Government had to recognise that it had been defeated at the general election. “ It is no use beating about the bush,” he said. “We are faced with a stalemate in the House of Representatives and we went to the country with a majority of ten.” Mr Curtin, in Perth, said he would attend the conference. He added: “If there is to be a sinking of political principles every party must sink them,” CONQUERED COUNTRIES NAZIS CAN PREVENT FOOD SHORTAGE NEW YORK, September 30. (Received October 1, at 11.30 a.m.)' The Stanford University Food Research Institute declared that the Nazis can prevent a critical food shortage among the conquered countries by releasing their wheat reserve. It adds that if Britain maintains her domestic economy and shipping she will suffer only a qualitative reduction in diet, Germanised Poland, Netherlands,' Belgium, Denmark, and Norway are threatened with serious shortages.. Belgium is in the most serious plight of all. France’s supplies are adequate, but the distribution problem is serious. HUNGARIAN NAZIS UNITING IN ONE PARTY BUDAPEST, September 29. Hungarian Nazis have united in one party after a merger of the Magyar National Socialists and the Arrow Cross Party. The leader will probably bo Major Ferenc Szalasi, who was released from prison after serving two years for political activity. The Government is permitting civil servants to join the Nazis. MADAGASCAR'S ATTITUDE ALLEGED BRITISH WARNING VICHY, September 29. The Governor-General of Madagascar telegraphed to the Government: “ London dared to warn that sea communications will be interrupted if the Vichy decisions are applied to Madagascar. I rejected this outrageous declaration with the utmost scorn.”