CLIMAX TO STRIFE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 192, 7 April 1932, Page 5

CLIMAX TO STRIFE

(Press. Assn.—

internal disagReements WRECK GOVERNMENT PARTY CHARGES AGAiNST /PREIV^R

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

ST. JOHN'S, Tuesday. The disorders at the Goveinmettt's resignatien were the ciilminatioh df disagreements within the Government Party and a series of public demonstrations since Febrriafy 2. Mr. Peter Cashin, Minister of finance and Customs, arinounced Ms resignation and severance froih the party on Februaiy 4. On February 16, Mr. Cashin read charges in the House bf Assembly, asserting that the Rremier, Sir R. Squires, had falsified the miniitbs of thfe EXfe'cutivfe Co'uhcil in order to manipulate public fuiids. The Oppositioil sought a Pafiiariientary inquiry. Ori the mbtion of .the Premief, howeyer, the charges against himself were referred to the Govei'ridr Sir John Middleton, who reportfed ho irregularity to the HoUse, £lnd stated that the minutes of the Council could not be called into question after they had been confirmed by tha Council itself. On Mr. Cashin's resignation, Sir R. Squires took over the Finance portfolid and his Budget balance estimate, on the basis of the finding by Sir Percy Thompson and Mr J. F. Penson, British Treasury experts, brought. on the resignation of Dr. H. Mossell, Minister without portfolio, and the withdrawal from the party bf two elected represeritatives. . The imposition of duties on foodstuffS and fishermen's supplies was given as their reason foi: dissatjsf action with the Budget. These grounds added to the unrest among the unemjlloyed. THe mob broke into the Government oflices while the Council was in session, to demaiid ari ihereased dole, and in the melee, Sir R. Squires received a blow btt the face. Agairii, a few days ago, ipcreases in the dole were demanded when a deputation igained admittance to the Assembly prese'iitxng -their case at the: bar of the House. To-day's occurrences grew out of a mass meeting on Monday night, When resolutions were drawn up requiring proper investigation into the falsification charges.