FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

THE SCULLIN GOVERNMENT. WITHOUT A MAJORITY. (Australian Press Association.) (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY. April !). "When the House of Representatives le-nssciiibles on April 14 the Seullin Government will he without a majority owing to the fact that the Beasley group of Labourites will be campaigning with Premier Lang, who is placing his Financial Plan before the people of other States. Mr Beasley notified Mr Senlliu accordingly whereupon Mr Seullin telegraphed insisting that Air Beasley and his colleagues he in their places at the re-opening of the session. Mr Beasley replied that he was unavailable until April 21st, therefore unless Parliament is prorogued the Government is certain to he defeated.

BAX ON MR LANG. MELBOURNE. April 8. The (.Uy Council has decided ,|o refuse the use of the Town Hall for the New South Wales Premier, Mr Lang’s propaganda campaign, owing to Mr Lang’s repudiation of financial obligations abroad. FEDERAL ELECTIONS. MELBOURNE. April 8. Mr Lyons, M.P., commenting on Mr Scullin's decision to delay bolding ,the Federal elections for three months, or longer, says that tile Prime Minister is merely sparring for time. Ho adds: “The honest .thing to do is to go to the people at once.” ANOTHER ARGUMENT. FOR EARLY ELECTIONS! LONDON, April 8 The “Morning Post” is discussing the desirability of holding up the selling of Australian stocks at their present low prices. It emphasises that the natural resources of Australia are so 4 great as to make the bonds look exceedingly cheap. It concludes: “Tt is not necessary to sell Australian bonds at their present level, but economics are so intermingled with politics that there must be a period of anxiety until the’ elections and until there are clear signs of a fulfilment of all contracts.” The “Morning Rost” quotes a correspondent who asks apropos of AD’ T-ard, what guarantee is there that a similar crisis will not aris-* in fntur n . He points out- . that it H m:\nifestlv impossihle for a British Government to permit a nerson of such financial influence as Mr Lang, by virtue of In’s office, (to cause widespread min to beneficiaries in what are often small estates.

The “Morning Post’s” financial editor sn vs;—A great shock has been given holders of trustee securities by Mr Lang’s repudiation, and it O scarcely surprising that the general question of responsibility incurred bv overseas Governments under tbe Colonial Stock Act should be raised. LANG’S DEFAULT. LOAN COUNCIL ACTION. (Received 11.30 a.m.) ADELAIDE, April 0. Premier Hill announced that South Australia will be a party to the pot-mu 1 y the Federal Government for the *rt(|coverv of A 3 29,20 l paid by tbe Commonwealth to British bondholders, through New South Wales having defaulted in interest payments. As soon as possible alflcer the High Court proceedings, a meeting of the Loan Council will be held to determine the policy consequent upon the default by the Statee. LANG BARRED. FROM MELBOURNE TOWN HALL (Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 9. The motion not to allow Lang to have the use of the Town Hall was carried by 2(5 to 4 votes. Lord Mayor Luxton stated “i must say the City bf Melbourne stands high ui Australia for its integrity, its financial and buxines dealings. I personally would be bitterly disappointed if we allowed a ■dishonest, discredited man to preach dishonesty and repudiation in this hall. The decision Of the Committee shows to every part of Australia and the world that Victoria will not stand for Lang.”