APPARENT DEADLOCK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1940, Page 5

APPARENT DEADLOCK

AS RESULT OF FEDERAL ELECTION INDEPENDENTS HOLDING BALANCE OF POWER NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SEEN AS ONLY SOLUTION.

! (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, September 30. A Government majority of not more than two seats and possibly a deadlock with the Government and Labour Parties with equal numbers and the Independents holding the balance of power are indicated in the latest election returns for the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister, who has just returned from a few days’ rest, today declined to discuss the formation of an all-party Government, preferring to wait until the election results are complete, which will probably be by the end of the week. Cabinet Ministers admit that a National Government will be the only solution of an extremely difficult situation. CONFERENCE TO MEET CALL FOR CO-OPERATION

OF ALL PARTIES. MADE BY MR MENZIES. SYDNEY, September 30. Mr Menzies is calling a conference of all party leaders on Friday to discuss methods of carrying on the Government effectively in the vital-interests of Australia. Mr Menzies said it was cleat at present that no party will have such a majority as to give it clear authority and power. “I call on all men of goodwill and all parties to co-operate with a view to producing stability. To my mind the-only practicable course to save the country from disintegration and if the war effort is not to be defeated by disorganisation is the formation of a National Government on a basis equitable to all parties. “In order that all the possibilities may be promptly examined I invite Mr Cameron (Country Party leader), Mr Curtin (Federal Labour) and Mr Beasley (Lang Labour) as leaders of the other parties to meet me as leader of the United Australia Party in a frank discussion. It would be deplorable if Canberra had to be converted in to a manoeuvring ground and nervous and mental energy expended on party moves which would be better used for a concerted national effort.” No opinions are as yet available concerning Mr Menzies’s offer, but it is known that while Mr Curtin will undoubtedly accept the invitation to the conference Labour participation in i National Government is improbable.

MR CAMERON’S VIEW GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. STATEMENT BY MR CURTIN. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr Cameron, Leader of the Country Party, and Mr Beasley, Leader of the Non-Communist Labour Party, said they would accept Mr Menzies’s invitation to a conference to discuss the possibility of forming a National Government. Mr Cameron declared that the Government had to recognise that it had been defeated at a general election. “It is no use beating about the bush,” he said. “We are faced with a stalemate in the House of Representatives and we went to the country with a majority of ten.” MJ’ Curtin (Leader of the Opposition), said he would attend the conference and added: “If there is to be a sinking of political principles, every party must sink them.” ,