Federal Elections

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 21, 12 June 1914, Page 5

Federal Elections

A PARTY WRAXGLE.

PREMIER WiTHOLDIXG IX.FoKMAT

ELECTION'S EARLY IX SEPTEMBER.

By Cable—Press Association-Copyright Melbourne, June 11.

The House and galleries were crowded when tiie Treasurer moved resolutions asking for three months' supply to carryover the election.

The Opposition immediately demanded that Mr Cook should inform the House the reasons given Sir R. Munro Ferguson for a dissolution. After much wrangling and an excited debate, Mr Cook promised to make a statement when supply v.-as granted. He also announced that, the elections would -bo (held on September 5, contingent on the quick passage of supply. The House adjourned for four 'hours and on its re-assembling, Mr Cook, at the request of Mr Fisher, made a statement to the effect that he advised Sir M'unro-Ferguson to grant a double dissolution, assuring him that the requirements of the constitution had been complied with, and that the present state of parties made Parliament unworkable. Sir R.. Munro-Ferguson agreed to a dissolution, provided the necessary supply was obtained. Mr Hughes resumed the debate, demanding that Mr Cook place the actual memorandum given to Sir R. Munro-Fer-guson before the House. It was most important that it should have the actual facts in order to see that the GovernorGeneral was properly advised. The debato was adjourned. The Labor majority in the Senate moved an amendment to the Address- in-Rc-ply amounting to censure of the Ministry in connection with a ceriain railway contract. Consequently the Government representatives declined io participate in the presentation, of an address to Sir B. Munro-FcTguson, who, in accepting the address from the President, omitted the usual thanks for the address. The ceremony was unique.