Loyal to Theodore

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1018, 8 July 1930, Page 9

Loyal to Theodore

SUPPORT OF LABOUR PARTY

May Resign His Seat

SCULLIN TAKES PORTFOLIO MEANTIME

FOLLOWING the resignation of Mr. E. G. Theodore, Federal Treasurer of Australia, as the result of the Commission’s. findings in connection with the Queensland mining leases, the Australian Labour Party Executive and the Labour Council have officially defended him.

Mr. Theodore’s position in the Cabinet is filled for the time being by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin.

United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10.55 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. Mr. J. Graves, president of the Australian Labour Party executive, ana Mr. S. J. Garden, secretary of the Labour Council, representing the industrial and political wings of the Labour movement, have issued statements strongly defending Mr. E. G. Theodore. It is therefore assumed that if Mr. Theodore is to go before the electors of Dailey he will receive the Labour Party’s endorsement. Before Mr. Theodore left Sydney last evening tor Canberra he was asked whether he could indicate where Mr. W. McCormack, ex-Premier of Queensland, could be found. He replied: “He telephoned to me only today from Darlinghurst, where he is staying, informing me that he is preparing a statement in reply to the findings of the commission which he hoped the Press would publish.” Mr. J. G. Latham, Leader ot the Federal Opposition, in an interview, said a meeting of the Opposition would be held tomorrow at Canberra when Mr. Theodore's position would be considered. Quite likely the Prime Minister would be requested to declare Mr. Theodore’s seat vacant. The Opposition would insist upon the dig nity and honour of Parliament being preserved. CABINET MEETS A message from Canberra says a special meeting of the Federal Cabinet was held to consider the report of the commission, and the consequent resignation of Mr. Theodore. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. ; Scullin, announced that he would take over the Treasurer's portfolio and that the Budget would he delivered on ; Wednesday or Thursday. It is expected that Mr. Scullin's

statement to the House of Represen tatives when it meets tomorrow will be followed by a detailed explanation by Mr Theodore —who has not resigned his seat as a member—of his position. In political Labour circles it is considered that the next move in regard to the commission’s report must come from the Queensland Government. If it takes no action the Labour Party will consider what Mr. Theodore can do to clear his name and how far he can be assisted officially. NO PLOT A Brisbane message says the Premier, Mr. A. E. Moore, stated yesterday that it was not much use Mr. Theodore saying his trouble was the outcome of a political plot. The fact was that he (Mr. Moore) had asked for a Royal Commission when he was Leader of the Opposition, but the Government had then refused to grant it. There was no question as to whether Mr. Justice Campbell was a fit and proper person to act as Royal Commissioner. He was regarded as one of the highest judicial authorities in the country. Mr. Moore said the Prime Minister had telegraphed for a copy of the evidence and the commission’s findings, and these had been sent to Canberra by air mail. The Crown Solicitor stated today that Mr. W. McCormack, ex-Premier. had been informed when the commission would be opened. He was served in Sydney with a subpoena, but no word was received officially as to whether he would attend and give evidence. His sister, Miss Mary McCormack, gave evidence, in the course of which she said her brother was an inmate of a private hospital in Sydney undergoing treatment. He had been there for three months.