FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 3

FEDERAL POLITICS

SCULLIN, TI?EASURER

(Australian Press Association)

CANBERRA, July 7

The Federal Cabinet met speeialh to-day to consider the outcome of the Munga 11a inquiry. The 1 Prime Minister, Hon Jas. H. Scullin, announced that he would himself take over the Federal Treasurer’s portfolio.

The budget will be delivered by M Scullin on Wednesday or Thursday next.

.It is expected that the Prime Min .i<4ter will make a statement to tin House on the matter when it meets to-morrow.

It is also expected that Mr Scullin’ statement will be followed by a detailed explanation from Mr Theodore o' bis position.

MR SCULLIN’S REQUEST

FOR COPY OF EVIDENCE

■ BRISBANE., "July 7.,,, Tlie. Premiey ,oi' Queensland, ,Mi Moore, stated to-day that Mr J..,1j ccuHni; -Prime,.Minister,, had. telegraph-, ed for a copy of the evidence am’ the commission!s, findings, . This had be'en sent to Canberra by ,air mail.

MR THEODORE’S POSITION

CANBERRA, July 7

Labour political circles considei that the next move regarding th Munga 11 a Commissioner’s report must come from the Queensland Government.

If, the Queensland Government takes iip action, then the Labour, movement -

v lj Consider what Mi- Theodore can d i tp clear hi« name, and how-far he can be assisted .officially. ,

; j Queensland,

BRISBANE, July 7

i Th;c Premier of Queensland, Mr Vlooi-e, ,to-day .stated: .“There is not much use. in Mr Theodore saying that his trouble is tlie outcome of a politw rial p10t... . Tlio .fact, was that-1 (Mr Moore) had asked for a Royal-Com-mission- while Leader- of the Opposi•timn hut ithe Government then refused to. grant it. There was no question, as; V whether Mr Justice Campbell was a fit and propore person to act. as a , Royal Commissioner. He is regarded as 'fine -of : the highest judicial - authorities in ■ the-country-” '■

MR McCORMACK’S ILLNESS

t ::. BRISBANE, July 7.

TJh* Crown Solicitor stated 'that Mr V. McCormack had been- informed when the Mungana Commission would he opened. He was served in Sydney, with - a subpoena, but no word was received officially, as to whether he would attend and give evidence. His •ustev, Miss Mary McCormack, had given evidence at the Commission. >he, had stated that her brother was •iii inmate of a private hospital in Syciiiey, -undergoing treatment. Mr McCormack has' been there for- three month's. ;; ; ' -■ ’ ' •

(■Received this dav -at 8 a.m/V ■ Ji0;.!?.;.--'.. SYT>NEY ■ ■ <l-nly 8t “ Before leaving. Sydney -to-night, for Canberra. Mr Theodore was asked .whether lie could, indibatc where Mr \fcCormack, the : former Premier of -Cucensland could be-■■'found.

He replied.—“lTe telephoned men only to-day from Darlinghurst, where be is staying) informing me he was preparing, a statement in. reply to, the Mungana findings, which he hoped tlm Pi-ess would print.”

.Mr Latham, Leader of the Federal Opposition, interviewed, said a meeting; of the Opposition was being held to-morrow at Canberra when Mr Theodore’s position would be considered, Quite likely the Prime Minister would be requested to declare Mi- Theodo'ro’s seat vacant.-' Mr Latham added •; “We .shall insist on the dignity arid humour of Parliament- being, preserved.”