GOVERNMENT DEFEATED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 81, 26 November 1931, Page 5

GOVERNMENT DEFEATED

(Press. Assn.-

WGRK FOR CHRISTMAS BEASLEY GROUP CHALLENGE MINISTRY ON PRAFT CHARGES DJSSOLUTION EXPECTED SCULLIN PARTY' S FALL

-By Telegraph— Copyright) .

Rec. Nov. 25, 9.20 p.m. CANBERRA, Wednesday. I The Scpllin Government was L defeated on Mr. J. A.' Beasley's motion for the adjournment to discuss the Christmas unemploy- [ ment sche-me by 37 votes to 32 f votes. The Government is nov/ con- | sidering its position. A dissoluI tion is regarded as inevitahle. When the House of Representatives re-assembled this afternoon Mr Beasly moved the adjournment "to | discuss the method adopted hy the Government in the engagement of iabour under the Christmas unem- | ployment sqheme, for which £250,000 I is being made availab.le." Mr. Beasley advocated the appointment of a Select Committee. He laid a definite charge of politieal patronage against ' the Federal | Treasurer, Mr. E. G. Theodore, declaring that his methods of engaging I iabour were of a politicai character, I giving precedence to the Federal Labour Party's own supporters. * The Opposition parties realised that if they supported Mr. Beasley the fate of the Government would

be sealed. They held a meeting Jbef ore the House assembled and decided to support the, demand for an inquiry provide d Mr. Beasley could make out a prima facie case. Mr Beasley said that after the Government had announced that it was advancing £250,000 to provide work for several thousands of unemployed b^fore Christmas, men were invited toregister for employment. The ' supporters of Mr. Scullin's Government were able to gain several days priority and preference was given in Mr. E. G. Theodore's electorate (Dalley) in return for their support of Mr. Theodore, and the Scullin Party. The same thing was also apparent at Gockatoo Island Dockyard, where other workless found- the registers full because they were not in the "know" as to what works would be carried out and had been coolly fore- j j stalled. Mr. Theodore characterised Mr. Beasley's attack as sheer puerility. He denied categorically each allegation. Mr. Scullin refused to grant a Select Committee and challenged the Opposition and the Beasley Labour group to an immediate electioh. Mr. Beasley's motion was then carried. .