FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

MR HUGHES AMENDMENT.

(Australian Press Association).

CANBERRA, September 10,

The vital amendment which Rt. Hon. \V. M. Hughes had given notice of moving in regard to the Government s Maritime industries Bill, with the ob,eet of postponing the aboliti m i.if the Federal Arbitration Court, for which the' measure provided, until such time as a referendum on the question is taken, or until there is a general election held, was moved to-day in the Federal Parliairient.

The Prime Minister announced yesterday that the Government would instantly resign and go to the country if Mr Hughes’ amendment were carried. The debate is now proceeding.

DEFEAT OF BRUCE (pIIMISTRY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) CANBERRA, September 11. Unexpectedly, a division on Mr Hughes’s amendment was taken in the House to-night. The amendment was carried by 35 to 34, the Government being thus defeated. The Prime Minister immediately secured an adjournment of the House to enable the Government to consider the position. A general election is inevitable.

DEFEAT CAUSES SEMSATION. SYDNEY, September 11. The defeat of the Commonwealth Ministry caused a - sensation. It was generally anticipated that Mr Bruce would just manage to triumph by one vote, but an eleventh-hour defection on the part of Marks, who represents Wentworth, New South Wales, ena’led Mr Hughes to bring about the Government’s downfall; Other members of Mr Bruce’s party who recorded adverse votes along with Mr ■ Hughes, were Messrs Stewart, Mann, and McWilliams. In the course df his speech to-day, Mr Bruce made it clear that he would recommend a dissolution if the amendment were carried and that he was concerned with no other alterhative.

QUESTION OF DISSOLUTION. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 11. The “ Herald” says the Government will probably tender its resignation to the Governor-General to-day and ask for the dissolution of Parliament. An early, if not immediate, general election will take place.

There is speculation in the lobbies whether His Excellency will grant the dissolution. It is thought in some quarters that Mr Hughes will be sent Ifor. Others hold that Mr |Sculhn (leader of the Opposition) will be asked to form a ministry.

There was a dramatic scene in the House as the fateful vote was taken, as the result of the announcement amid an uproar.