PREMIER CHOSEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20009, 7 August 1939, Page 5

PREMIER CHOSEN

NEW SOUTH WALES GROUP MAIR SUCCEEDS STEVENS RIVAL CLAIMS URGED TEST IN HOUSE AWAITED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.f (Reed. Aug. 7, 9' a.m.) 'SYDNEY, Aug. 6. The Parliamentary group of the United Australia Party on Saturday elected the former Treasurer, Mr. Alexander Mair, as its leader in succession to Mr. B. S. B. Stevens by 18 votes to six. Mr. E. S. Spooner load refused to be nominated, but the name of the Minister of Labour, Mr. A. Richardson, went to the secret ballot.

The retiring Premier, Mr. Stevens, saw the Governor, Lord Wakehurs-t, who was recommended' by Mr. Stevens to send for Mr. Mair, who later was sworn in as Premier of New South Wales.'.-The: new Cabinet, which is- the same as the former Ministry, but omitting Mr. Stevens, was sworn in simultaneously.

There was a dramatic development during a party meeting, which was again acrimonious, when seven followers of Mr. Spooner quitted the room and took a petition to the Governor requesting him to commission Mr. Spooner to form a> Ministry. It was reported later that the Governor refused to accede to the petition. None of these members participated in the ballot.

Challenge Expected

The Governor gave a diplomatic reply, indicating that he would be guided by his constitutional advisers. It is expected that when the House meets on Tuesday, Mr. Mair will face a challenge from Mr. Spooner’s supporters, aided by the Labour Opposition, and that, he will be defeated.

Well-informed circles are of 'the opinion that a dissolution of Parliament is inevitable.

In a broadcast address on Saturday night, the. new Premier, Mr. Mair, announced that he also would fill the Treasurership. The Cabinet otherwise would be unchanged. He appealed for co-operation and announced his intention to give effect to the financial policy expressed in Mr. Spooner's motion, which led to the overthrow of the former Premier.

It is explained that Mr. Mair in addition to those of Premier and Treasurer has taken over Mr. Spooner’s portfolios of Public Works and Local Government.

Mr. Spooner also made a broadcast speech. He complained that the Country Party domination of the former Ministry x-endered it impossible for the United Australia Party to give anything like full effect to its policy. He contended there was only one cure, namely, the formation of a. Government confined: .-to members of the United Australia Party.

Constructive Help

Mr. Spooner said he would harbour no ill-feeling against his former colleagues. but would give constructive help to ail the legislation the new Ministry might bring forward.

The political crisis is featured in the newspapers. ,

Mr. J. T. Lang claims that the Governor acted unconstitutionally in commissioning Mr. Mair to form a Ministry, which isi almost identically the same as that voted out of office and resigned. Mr. Lang claims that the Governor also should have done him, Mr. Lang, the courtesy of consulting as to Whether he could have formed a Ministry. He should certainly have called on Mr. Spooner to see him with the same object, says Mr. Lang. He adds: “The same discredited Ministry is back in office with Mr. Stevens in the background pulling the strings.” Mr. Mair, Who is middle-aged, is at present a grazier near Albury. He was elected to the Assembly in 1932. He wap educated at Wesley College, Melbourne. He started life as a blacksmith prior to assuming control of the family business of Alexander Mair and Son, iron and; steel manufacturers. He also became managing director of the James McEwan Proprietary Limited. The state of the parties prior to the defeat of Mr. Stevens was:

United Australia Party .... 35 United Country Party 22 Official (Lang) Labour Party 25 Unofficial (Heffron) Labour Party 7

Independent 1 Tim United Australia Party is now split. At least nine are likely to range themselves behind Mr. Spooner in the event of a “showdown.”