The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1933. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1933. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Fedekal politics have been running of late in not unpleasant- lines, but a recent report from Canberra indicates that the Lyons Government may be forced to make 'an early appeal to the country because of a breach with the United Country party, which is an appendage of the Government. Taxation proposals and tariffs, are the main subjects of discussion, Mr Lyons has net proved an unsuccessful leader in the difficult circumstances under which he was called to lead the United Australia party. Mr Lyons left the Labour party because he could not subscribe to 1,3 policy, and when the other two parties fused, Mr Lyons was chosen as le'ader though both Mr Bruce and Dr Earl Page were in the offing. The Prime Minister as far as can be judged at this distance, has filled the position with ability and not a little distinction, seeing the composite nature of bis followers. The Country party was the least happy of the two component parts. Dr Page being rather disgruntled all along; It is not 'surprising that the tariff should be an issue in a country where protection has been carried-to the limit, in sharp contrast with free trade principles. The subject comes prominently to the fore now because the Commonwealth Government has. to implement the terms of the Ottawa Agreement, and there m'ay fie the necessity for a radical overhaul. When Labour held office, the Scullin Government was strongly for protection ‘as a means to provide employment,'an'd tobacco and cottor growing were aided specially. The Lyons Government' had to' revise the duties in respect to both commodities, and as production was increased under the very favourable tariff, there is now a glut, and consequent loss facing the growers. The bounty system for cotton growing in particular, resulted in a greatly increased crop, but with the withdrawal of the subsidy, a crisis is imminent in the cottonfields, In other directions it is essen» tia] to revise the tariff which Labour created, and naturally there will be a pinch felt in many quarters where the favourable trading conditions are now being determined. Regarding taxation, the condition of, the Federal finance necessitated a drastic effort to increase revenue to meet obligations. The Lyons Government has had no light- task, complicated as it was by the need of stepping in when the Lang Labour Government, permitted the New South Wales State finance to reach a critical condition. An important conversion scheme was carried through by the Lyons administration, which also had to direct the Premiers' Plate for the rehabilitation of the finances of the States. The Government however did not handle the secession movement in Western Australia with much success, and Mr Lyons had his most serious rebuff in that quarter. However, should the Government have to go to the country, its general record is such that it should command success though the disposition for >a change in Australia is noticeable at most appeals to the electors. Labour rule in Australia has been well before the people of late years, and it would not appear the Country party within itself" is able to command a majority. On the whole, therefore, it seems most likely that Mr Lyons’ record is such as to secure a new lease of political life should the necessity for an appeal to the people arise.

taw'a Conference, the result of which would be good, not only for the British Empire, but for the world as a whole if it led to the more effective development of the countries of the Empire and to raising the- standard of living of their peoples. Why should they not encourage the peoples of Eurone to form a similar group, not merely for monetary but for all economic purposes? No progress 'on these lines could be made outside the British Empire unless the Most-Favoured-Na-tion Clause were first of all got rid ofThat clause had been the real obstacle to true free trade and the extension of better trade relations between those who wanted to trad© with each other. It stood to-day in the vvay of any grouping of the European nations on economic lines.