FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1931, Page 6

FEDERAL POLITICS

LABOUR DISUNITED. (Australian Press Association.) CANBERRA, March 12. The Federal Labour Party to-day by thirty-four votes to three, decided that the newly-elected East Sydney mmcher Mr Ward, is not eligible to .sit or take part in tlio Labour Caucus. What is known as the “Gang Faction,’’ Messrs Beasley, Lazznrini, and Aldridge, anti Senators Rue and Dunn, did not vote. They hurried to an adjoining room, where they held a secret conlerenco. The question now being keenly discussed, is how this small group will vote on the censure motion. They have received instructions l'l'om the New South Wales State Executive of the Labour Party to do nothing to forco the Scullin Government out of office. Tim fact remains that the group were not in their places when the no confidence debate was resumed in the afternoon. The vote on the motion, however, is not being taken till tomorrow. CANBERRA, March 12. Among the speakers on tile “noconfidence” motion this altenioon was Doctor Earle Page, the former Federal Treasurer, who described the Government as being the most futile, bankrupt, discredited and fatuous the world had ever seen. It had smashed its own Party. It would smash the Commonwealth. It had no confidence i" itseli, while nobody els,, had any confidence in it.

LANG FOLLOWERS.

PULL AWAY FROM PARTY

CANBERRA. March 12

Arising out of a secret conference, Mr Beasley (ex-Min is ter) has issued a statement announcing that in view of the Party’s decision in regard to Mr Ward, it- necessarily followed that be (Beasley), Messrs Luz/.arine, Eldridge and Janies (the latter also living a Lang adherent), and Senators Rae and Dunn should no longer be expected to be associated with, or responsible lor. the decision of the Caucus. A SYDNEY PAPER’S CALCULATION. SYDNEY, March 12. The “Evening News,” commenting upon the political crisis at Canberra, says:—“lt is now possible' that the Scullin Government will be deleatcd on the no-confidence motion. In addition to the known supporters of Mr Lyons, it needs only four Labour members to cross the floor in order to cau s e the Government’s defeat, and but five more to run a Government against the biggest, number of supporters that the present Government could rally.’’

EARLY ELECTION

CANBERRA GOSSIP

CANBERRA March 12

Even if the Government .survives the no-coiitidence motion, the members tof the Lyons Group of members expect to gain one or two additional adherents from the ranks ol the Government. The atmosphere in the lobbies today was tense. It was agreed on all sidqs that the days of the Scullin ■ Ministry, are numbered. Some members are already preparing for an early eleetio'n. It is learned that even if the Government wins through on the votes ol men who are pledged to the Lang repudiation proposals the Senate will decline to transact any Government business, thus bringing matters to a swift climax. OPPOSITION PROSPECTS. CANBERRA, March 12. Negotiations are now proceeding for Hie formation of a, Lyons Government. or alternatively, a. LyonsLatliam Government. CANBERRA, March 12. Mr Theodore (Treasurer) /spoke tonight at considerable length and answered critics with a comprehensive survey to the finances. He emphasised the Government’s inability to please wa.s solely due to the prodigality of the former National Governments during a period of prosperity of easy borrowing. At one stage of his speech Mr I heodore said rather than default he would prefer every sovereign should he shipped away to meet commitments. ft Ls expected the division on the no-confidence motion will be taken late to-night and that the. Government will win narrowly.

PERTH UNEMPLOYED. UNDERGO PUBLIC DRILL. PERTH, March 12. Upwards of fifty unemployed hare recently been undergoing drill instructions in a public park. The Government has now issued an editt that the drilling must /stop, under a penalty ot from five to ten years’ imprisonment.