FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

SENATE REJECTS FIDUCIARY BILL. (Australian Press Association. ) CANBERRA. Ami] 17. Tile Federal Senate to-day by 21 votes to six, rejected the second reading of the Fiduciary Notes Hi!!. LATER. The collapse of the debate in the Senate on the Fiduciary Note Issue Bill caused astonishment in both Houses. Senator Thompson, who should have resumed the debate, was out of the Chamber, and a division on the -coord reading was immediately taken. resulting in-the rejection of the Rill by 21 to 6. It is thought the collapse of the Bill was due to Mr Theodore's st.uemmi-' about the Commonwealth Rank Board earlier in the day. SENATE’S ACTION. KILLS FARMERS’ RELIEF BILL. CANBERRA, April 17. There was still another dramatic development in the House of Representatives this afternoon, when the Prime Minister, amid scenes of excitement, announced that tht: Government did not intend to proceed further with the Wheat Advances Relief Bill. He then moved for the adjournment. Mr Stewart (Nationalist) jn+"f ! 'vb ed; “So much for dud number three.’! Mr Scullin added that this action had followed upon the Senate’s reject, tion of the Fiduciary Bill. He said: “We shall test it right through to the hitter end, and we shall send the Fiduciary Bill back to the Senate. Then, We shall see what the people have to say about it!’’ Tempers ran high, and interjections were frequent. Cheers and counter cheers were given, the House dispersing amid the greatest confusion. OPPOSITION LEADER. WANTS . SINGLE DISSOLUTION. CANBERRA, April 17. Air, Latham, in a statement, declared that as soon as the Government with a sound financial policy came into office j then and then only con Id producers, also the unemployed, expect relief. It was the Government’s duty to resign immediately and allow that to occur. SCULLIN’S PLAN. CANBERRA, April 17. It is understood that Hie Prime Minister plans a double dissolution three months hence,

LONDON FINANCIERS. APPROVE MORATORIUM. LONDON. Ani'il IG. ■w The ‘‘Morning Post’s’ 1 financial edi*tor says:— The Government’s concession to Australia is approved in the city. It adds: The concession is not a great matter, having regard to the extent of Australia’s obligations; but is valued as a sympathetic gesture. The people of Australia must realise that Britain is confronted with a heavy budget deficit and is bearing a greater burden of taxation than any A other nation. ROOM FOR ECONOMY. AT AUSTRALIA HOUSE. CANBERRA, April 17. Mr Coleman. ALP-, who investigated the administration of Australia House at London, has submitted a report in which he estimates that the total cost of Australia House and its activities aggregate £312,000 a year. This includes migration costs and the expense of representing various States in LonThe report states that New Zealand by comparison. spent £52,769 and . South Africa £65,391 in their complete * representation last year^^^