FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1931, Page 6

FEDERAL POLITICS

NEW CABINET MOOTED. WITH LYONS AS LEADER. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, February 2. The consensus of opinion to-day, after reflection upon the Parkes byelection result, is that Australia’s only hope lies in a reconstruction of the Federal Cabinet with moderate Labour members under Air Lyons’s leadership. All’ Latham, Leader of the Opposition, has already indicated that the Nationalists are prepared to give their fullest support to a Government imbued with tlio will and the determination |,n face the budgetary general economic and financial position along safe sound lines. This suggestion w J, s recently rejected by the- extremists in the Federal Labour Caucus. In the light of Sat urday’s poll, the Scull in Ministry is regarded as condemned by many Labour supporters for dropping Air Fenton and Air Lyons, and for the reinstatement of Air Theodore, a"d for a failure to give effect to the Party’s policy. Summing up views from all quarters, it may be said:—“Responsible government in Australia—in its blackest hour—is actually the irresponsible government of faction which is making the country its plaything. Behind Mr Theodore is the shadow of Alnngana, and behind the Seullin-Theo. dore Cabinet is the shadow of Australian ruin. The demand is not for the coalition government, hut ior a straight-out Lyons Labour Government, pledged to honest finance and speedy action to meet the present position.” CABINET ALTERATIONS. (Australian Press Association.) CANBERRA, February 3. Following the resignation of Messrs Fenton and Lyons from the Federal Alinistry, the Prime AL'nistcr announces a re-shuffle of portfolios as follows; Mr A. E. Green of Western Australia becomes Postmaster-General. Senator J. J. Daly of South Australia becomes Minister of Defence.

Air E. AI. Ford of Queensland, Minister of Customs.

Air Green was originally Afinister of Defence; Air Daly was Vice-President of the Executive Council and AD - Ford Assistant At blister.