EARLY APPOINTMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 109, 30 December 1931, Page 5

EARLY APPOINTMENT

(Press. Assn.-

REPRESENTATION OF COUNTRY PARTY AROUSING CONTRQYERSY LEADERS TO CONFER

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Rec. Dec. 29, 8.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Tuesday. Mr. J. A. Lyons expects to be able to announce the new Federal Cabinet on Thursday. » The question as to what representation the United Country Party will be given in the Cabinet is the- subjeet of Press controversy, and constitutes a delicate aspect. Although the Country Party emerged from the election with inereased strength, the fact remains that the United Australia Party has an absolute majority over all other parties in the House of Representatives. One section of the Press desires that the Country Party should be given adequate representation. Members of the Country Party met in Sydney and discussed the eonditions under which the Country Party will co-operate with the United Australia Party in the formation of a new Cabinet. It was agreed that Mr Lyons should exercise a free hand in making his choice, the Country jfarty members being less concerned with office than witlx the adoption of a definite policy which will solve Australia's difficulties, and behind which the United Parties can range themselves. Such a policy was agreed upon prior to the election. The main features of the policy are. (1) Revision of the; tariff to reduce the cost of living! and production. (2) Constitntional changes to enable the people of New South Wales to get control of their own affairs and automatically force Mr. J. T. Lang (the State Premier) to go to the people. (3) Means of dealing effectually with the Communists. Act As Liason. Dr. Earle Page, Leader of the Country Party, is. willing, if desired, to act merely as the liaison between the new Cabinet and the Country Party. Mr. Lyons, who is now in Tasmania, said he wants a complet-ely United Party and will consider any representations from the Country Party which will achieve that end. He has accordingly arranged to meet Dr. Earle Page at Melbourne to-morrow.