FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

IMMEDIATE DISSOLUTION SCULLIN’S REQUEST GRAFTED. (Australian Press Association.) CANBERRA, November 26. The Prime Minister,* Mr Scullin, today asked tile Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs, for immediate dissolution. His Excellency’s assent to the request f..r a dissolution was read to tile members in the House of Representatives t is a ternoon. I tie aiiiieiuiceiiitiit was greeted with cheers on both sides of the House. Mr Scullin remained standing, and smiling blandly, waited till the noise had died down. Replying to a question from Mr Latham (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Mr Scullin said that there also would be an election for eighteen Sena tors.

So far, no intimation has been given as ti the e ection date.

The swiftest election campaign in the history of the Commonwealth is planned.

The Labour members consider that they have a better chance of retaining their seats under these circumstances. The officials of the United Australia Party and of the Nationalists’ Association declare that they are quite ready for a whirlwind campaign, LONDON VIEWS. LONDON, November 25. There was a marked rise in Australian stocks, due to the rally in sterling, and news of an early election in Australia. It is generally considered that the British landslide from Labour will produce an important moral effect on the Australian vote. 1 The “Daily Telegraph’s” Financial Editor comments that there . was a rise in Australian securities, the City being pleased at the prospect of an early appeal to the country, believing Australia, as Britain, would rally to support a strong National Government. He says the return of such a Government would undoubtedly help to revive shaken confidence in Australia’s financial future.

MR BRUCE’S CANDIDATURE

LONDON, November 25

Mr Stanley Bruce (former Nationalist Leader) said that he cannot get away for Australia, before the third week in December. He had no intention of flying home. “Anyhow,” he said, “mydnomination is all in order for Dandenong. I shall just have to hope that the efforts of good friends will carry me through.” Mr Bruce said he would not comment on the election prospects till ho was better acquainted with the atmosphere. / PRESS OPINIONS. SYDNEY, November 26. Press opinions throughout Australia welcome the downfall of tTie Scullin Government, which is the sole topic of conversation. ' The reports coming to hand from other States indicate Labour will be decisively beatep at the polls. LEADERSHIP OF OPPOSITION.

SYDNEY, November 26

The question as to who will lead the anti-Labour forces in the election remains to he settled. There is one section not entirely satisfied with Mr Lyons, owing to his Labour leanings and lack of experience in Federal politics. The Nationalist Party in Tasmania lias sought to obtain an assurance from him that lie has definitely cut adrift from Labour, to which Mr Lyons replied he had automatically px ~ pelled himself by his alliance with the opnosition. Mr Bruce, who is in London, is being kept well informed of the situation, and he had a, radio- conversation with Australia overnight. DATE FIXED. CANBERRA, November 26. The Prime Minister announced that the Federal election day lias been fixed for Saturday, December 19th. The nominations are closing on December sth,

The composition of the Federal parties now is as follows: Official Labour—3s. Beasley Group, otherwise Lang Plan Labourites—s. United Australia Party—33. Independent—l. Total—74. The Wimmera seat in Victoria is vacant, owing to the recent death of Mr P. Stewart. The election for the seat was fixed for next Saturday, but the writ will now be withdrawn. The total number of seats in the House of Representatives is 75. SENATE ELECTIONS. SYDNEY, November 26. The senators who will face the elections are largely the oppositionists. Ihe Government must win at least fifteen of the eighteen scats bpinsr contested in order to obtain a majority in that chamber, which in the present circumstances, is regarded as most unlikely. RESULT OF ELECTIONS. [ AWAITED WITH DEEP INTEREST. (Receiied this day at 9.25 o.m) LONDON, November 26. The “Times,” commenting upon the defeat of the’Scullin Government, says that the result of the election will be awaited with the deepest interest throughout the Empire. It is altogether for good, the way

things, have developed. The elections in New Zealand and Australia will take place before the Imperial Conference, and they could not have been long postponed. It is far better that any Government, discussing plans for more effective economic co-operation should be strong in the fresh confidence of its people, instead of harrassed by doubts as to its fate. $ LANG WITHDRAWS. WILL NOT CONTEST FEDERAL SEAT SYDNEY, November 27. The Premier, Mr Lang, js not contesting the Federal seat, and it is now definite that Mr Lyons will lead the anti-Labou' forces. He will deliver a policy speech in Tasmania next Wednesday. Mr Beasley opens his campaign at Sydney on the same night.