FEDERAL POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1923, Page 3

FEDERAL POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LABOURS THIRD ASSAULT. MELBOURNE, June 20, In the House of Representatives Mr Austoy’s amendment was defeated by ■ -v 39 to 25. The third assault of Labour was then launched by Mr Sculliu, who attacked the Government over the sacrifice of the IConinvm wealth Woollen Mills at Geelong, A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT MELBOURNE, June 21. In the House of Represeua ti ves, when Mr Sculliu launched his attack on the Government he made the sensational statement that the Melbourne warehouses were behind the Government and were responsible for the doom of the woollen mills. He imputt'd the most sinister motives to Ministers and claimed that the facts brought forward during the debate revealed a state of affairs rivalling the so,'ailed wireless scandal.

After .Mr liruee had indignantly replied, expressing resentment at the sinister motives imputed to ministers, the motion was defeated liv 34 to 2(i. the voting being on strictly party lines. Mil SC ELLIN'S ATTACK. MR BRUCE IN REPLY. MELBOURNE, June 21. In the House of Representatives the burden of Mr Sciillin's attack "'as that the Government had been influenced hv the Blinder’,s Street interests in selling the woollen mills. He declared that the money masters hated the mill because it was taking their profits and because it exposed their proiiteering. Mr Sculliu said the concern was “Worth £300.900 and had been sold for £1.30,000. He also alleged that the Returned Soldiers’ Associaion had offered *“a security of £57.000 hut. this was turned down ill favour of those offering a smaller security. He inferred sinister motives in connection with the various phases of the transaction and declared that if Labour was returned to power they would hi* justified in resuming control of the mill for the people on the same basis as it. was sold. During the debate the Labourite* referred to tin 1 hidden lands conspiracy and the power oi money operating behind the .Ministry. Mr Bruce, replying, stated the Government had twice called for worldwide tenders for the mill and accepted the best price offering. He declared that Mr Scullin’s estimate was made in the boom years of the woollen trade and would not stand now. In regard to the soldiers’ offer. The demand in that direction had greatly fallen olf and the mills’ usefulness in supplying the .Government was ended. The real issue between the Ministry and the Opposition was that, the Ministry was opposed to Government trading enterprises and the Opposition advocated them. Mr Bruce warmly declared that there was not a scintilia of truth in the charges against the good faith of the Ministry. Thev had done everything in the iiill light of day. He concluded hv saving that they had stood three attacks hv '.Mr C'harleton with big artillery, and Mr Ansley with light artillery hut the worst had fallen to Mr SYuliin, who had produced poison gas.