POLITICAL SENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1926, Page 7

POLITICAL SENSATION

N. SOUTH WALES CABINET MINISTER RESIGNS OFFICE LEAVING LABOUR PARTY NO BELIEF IN PREMIER By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Received Nov. 18', 9.25 pan. Sydney, Nov. 18. Mr. P. F. Loughlin has caused consternation in the Cabinet by resigning his portfolios of Lands and Forests. Efforts were made to get him to reconsider his decision until the caucus discussed the position, but he declined to do so. It is stated in the lobbies that he may cross the floor of the House in an attempt to defeat the Government and then form a Country Labour Party. For a considerable time there has been friction between Mr. Loughlin and the Premier, Mr. Lang. It culminated a few months ago in the former challenging Mr. Lang’s right to be leader of the party, and a caucus vote resulted in a tie. The vote of no-confidence in the Premier having failed, he continued in office. Recently the Labour Party expressed its confidence in Mr. Lang’s leadership, and gave him authority to discipline any recalcitrant member of the Labour Cabinet. Mr. Loughlin stated that his resignation from the Ministry carried with it his resignation from the Labour Party. He added, in hie statement to the House, that he would declare himself and announce that it was for him to consider whether or not he should allow a Premier in whom he had no confidence to carry on the business of Parliament. Mr.-Loughlin said he was determined to throw the Government out of office, and that two other members of the Labour Party had Intimated they were prepared to cross the floor with him, thus placing the Government in a minority of one.