FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

FEDERAL HOUSE MEETS. (Australian Press Association.) CANBERRA, March 4. The House of Representatives reassembled to-day. Messrs Anstoy, Beasley, Fenton and Lyons were among the absentees. The proceedings were brief. Resolutions of sympathy were carried in silence following on the deaths of the Princess Royal. Damp Melba, and Mr John. West. .Member for East Sydney. Feeling reference' was made also to the New Zealand earthquake. The House has adjourned till tomorrow. THE BANKS’ ATTITUDE. MELBOURNE, March 4. The Chairman of the Associated Banks, Mr 0. H. Tranter. has announeec]: “As the Federal Government’s financial plan is a definite form of inflation, the Federal Treasurer cannot look to the hanks for any support.”

N.S.W. GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES SYDNEY, March 4. Tn the Now South Wales Legislative Assembly, the Premier, Mr Lang, replying to a question, said that legislation would he introduced ns soon ns necessary bills were now being drafted. Mr Lang added: “Cheap interest is desired by everybody, High intercut is regarded as being the curse of the community.” N.S.W. FINANCES. SYDNEY PAPER’S STATEMENT. SYDNEY. March 4. The “Sun” newspaper says: “The Lang Government is most seriously embarrassed financially.” The paper discloses -it £682,000 is due to the State Saving Bank, as interest is unpaid, and the Commissioners of the Bank have written to Mr Lang saying that they would appreciate payment. FEDERAL POLITICS (Received 10.30 a.in.) SYDNEY, March 5. A prominent member of the Australian Labour Party Executive said should the presence of Messrs Beasley. Eldridge and Lazzarini be necessary to save the Federal Government against a censure motion, the State A.L.P. would instruct them to remain in Sydney until the East Sydney bye-election campaign was over. A Labour daily says in the event of a rote being taken to-morrow, the Clovernment is almost certain to he defeated.

INTRIGUING POSITION. IN FEDERAL POLITICS CANBERRA, March 5. An intriguing position has developed in the Federal Polities. Mr McGrath has refused to accept the decision of the Caucus and will not resign his position as Chairman of Committees. Unless Mr McGrath voluntarily resigns, the new appointee Mr Cunningham is powerless to assert his cliam. A motion in the House to suspend McGrath would he opposed hv his friends as well ns the Opposition, wilier would not lose a chance to defeat the Government. ARBITRATION BILL. DRASTIC PROVISIONS - INSERTED. (Received 1 f>.2o a.m.) SYDNEY, March 4. Additional drastic provisions hav< been inserted in the State Ministry’? Amending Arbitration Bill. The measure provides for absolute preference in employment to financial unionists. All loyal employees, whi came to the aid of the Government during the 1917 industrial upheaval, will be compelled to join trade unions recognised by the official labour movement. The registration of six indus trial unions are to be cancelled undei one clause. The office of the industrial union may require an employer to 'erminato employment of any employee who at any time after January Ist. 1917 has been engaged or retained in employment during the period ol any cessation of work of other employees in industry on account of the industrial dispute and has not subsequently become a member of the union.