FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

DEFEAT IN DIVISION.

(Australian Press Association.)

CANBERRA, Nov. 25

Wliei', tie Pedeial House of F.epre..entatives re-assembled this aftemoon Mr Beasley (L.ang follower), moved tiie adjournment of the "House ‘‘to decide . the method adopted by the Government in the engagement of labour under the Christmas Unemployment Scheme, for which £240,000 is being made available.” Mr Beasley advocated the appointment of a Select Committee, elected by Parliament, by ballot. He laid a definite charge cf political patronage against the Federal Treasurer, Hon. E. G. Theodore, declaring that the methods of engaging labour were of a political character, giving predecnce to Federal Labour Party close supporters. The Opposition iparties, realising that by their supporting Mr Beasley, tie Government’s fate would be sealed, had leld a meeting before the House assembled, and bad decided to support Mr Beasley’s demand for an inquiry provided theft Mr Bettsley could make out it prima facie case. CANBERRA, Nov 25.

The Scnllin Government on. Mr Beasley’s motion was defeated by 37 vdtes to 32. The Government is now considering the position. A ; dissolution is regarded as inevitable. BEASLEY’S CHARGES, In moving his motion in (the House of Representatives, Mr Beasley said that after Government had announced that it was advancing a quarter of a mi'j’ion to provide work for several thousands before Christmas, men were iinvitedf to register for employment, but supporters of the Scullin GoUernment were able to gain several days priority, and numbers were given emp.leymer.t in Mr Theodore’s electorate of Dallev in return for their support to Mr Theodore and Mr Sciillin’s party. Th'Js was also apparent at Cockatoo Island dockyard. Other unemployed men, who happened to be Lang men. found Ithe regis+ers full .because* ithey were not in the know, ag to what works would be earned out, and were coolly forestalled. . Mr Theodore characterised Mr Beasley’s attack as being sheer puerility. Mr Theodore denied categorically each of Me Eeashfy’d allegations. SCLLIN’S CHALLENGE.

TO AN ELECTION.

CANBERRA, Nov. 24

Mr Scullin refused to grant a select Committee, and he challenged the Opposition and the Beasley Labour group to an immediate election, Mr Beasley’s motion was then carried by 33 to 82.

MR SOULLIN’S STATEMENT

A SENSATION CAUSED,

(Received this day at 9.25 a.m) CANBERRA, Nov. 26

The Prime Minister in a Statement after the* House adjourned said it was obvious the combined opposition and Beasley Group had made up their minds beforehand to turn 'the Government t“t of office and had formed an- unholy alliance to achieve the purpose. The Government could not possibly humiliate itself by granting either a Royal Commission or a Parliamentary 'inquiry on flimsy statements about this or that person getting priority in a special scheme of relief employment. The fact was 'that the Beasley Group was much concerned over the success of the recent Federal Labour Party Conference at Sydney and were determined to get the, Government out, of office as quickly as possible .It is anticipated that the Government’s derision in regard to a dissolution and election will he made known!, aifter the arival of the Governor General, who has chartered a special train at Wangaratta, Victoria, to enable him to reach Canberra to-morrow. , The atmosphere at the Federal capital! to-night was electrical. A majority off tie people hardly expected Beasley’s motion to be pressed to a division,' rut bier than talked out, or that the anti-Labour forces would arrange tlm down fall of the Government, w r hich has created a sensation through out Australia.