FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

ItESIG NATIONS AIOOTE D

(Australian Press Association.)

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) CANBERRA, January 27

The Prime Minister has asked Mr Fenton to reconsider his resignation. Air Lyons has not yet resigned, bin is considering. Air Gahli has definitely resigned from the Labour Party. Air AlcGratli, member for Ballarat lias also hinted that he intended to secede and lias be n asked to reconsider.

The belief is expressed that if Mr Lyons follows Afr Fenton nothing is more certain than Air Seullin will have to stand down for Mr Theodore.

AIR FENTON’S RESIGNATION

SYDNEY, January 27

The “Herald” says Air Fenton liars not yet tendeerd his resignation although lie has intimated his intention to do so. Efforts are being made to induce him to reconsider his decision. “The Pictorial” says;—Driven more hopelessly over Mr Theodore’s return to the Treasury than by the bitterly divergent financial views, the Federal Labour Party in one vast throw to recover its prestige, and power may now jettison the sadly disillusioned Air Seullin and place the Attorney General (Mr Brennan) in the Prime Ministership,

SOLUTION OF PROBLEM

AIR THEODORE’S STATEMENT

SYDNEY, January 27

Speaking at Canterbury, Air J hcodore said acting with Air Beosley and others lie would endeavour to imu a definite solution to the present problem. They would propose a plan necessitating action by the Government and those controlling Australia s monetary policy and credit. Some might not agree with it, but it would be an earnest attempt to stop the rot and put men back at work, they would take the advice of the best brains, and the Government would stand or fall by the scheme.

RE-ASSEMBLING IN MARCH.

Australian Tress Association■) (Received this day at L.3U p.m.j .MELBOURNE, January 28

When the Federal Parliament ro-as-sembles in Alarch, early opportunity will lie taken by Nationalist Country parties to challenge the Alinistry upon the reappointment of Air Theodore. It is stated the Opposition protest to take the form of motion of want ol eoniu.ence in the Alinistry.

A MINISTER RESIGNS,

CANBERRA, January 27

Events are moving swiftly in the Federal political arena. Hon Air Fenton (Alinister of Customs) resigned from the Alinistry to-day.

Mr Lyons, the Postmaster-General will probably follow suit. it is understood that Mr Gabb. of South Australia, is severing his allegiance with the Scullin Government. These and other developments have arisen from the Caucus decision last night readmitting Mr E. G. Theodore as Federal Treasurer and restoring him to the Deputy-Leadership of the Australian Parliamentary Labour Party.

Hon. Mr Brennan, the AttorneyGeneral, has becoi'ne the peacemaker. He spent nearly an hour tins morning in trying to induce Hon. Mr Lyons to remain m the Ministry. Mr Fenton feeis very hitter toward j the Prime Minister for ranging himself against two men, Mr Lyons and himself, who held the fort during his absence abroad, and placing himself in the camp of the mutineers. Mr Scullin told his friends to-day that he believed that the Labour Party was almost unanimously in favour ot the readmission ol Mr Theodore, now he realises his mistake.

SYDNEY PAPER CRITICAL

SYDNEY, January 27

The “Evening News,” in an edional referring to Mr E. G. Theodore's readmissiou, to the Federal Ministry, asks: Why did Mr Scullin reinstated this financial bungler over whom the shadow of a Royal Commission s finding lays 'i \\ by did he desert capable, honest Mr Lyons r Mr l’heodore Inis proved his financial incapacity in Queensland, turning surpluses into deficits, and also bungled the Commonwealth’s finances, since ois 1934 budget is out by millions.

ELDER A L CON FERENC it

CAXBE RR A. .1 anu ary 28

To devise a three year plan tor the economic rehabilitation of Australia a conference ot Federal State Ministers commences on February Oth at Canberra.