BUDGET CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1940, Page 6

BUDGET CRISIS

THREATENED IN AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT WITHOUT MAJORITY. LABOUR MOTION TAKEN AS HOSTILE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, November 29. The Menzies’ Government faces defeat next week unless it can obtain the support of the Victorian Independent member, Mr. Wilson, whose attitude on the Budget at present is hostile. Mr. Menzies stated last night that he intended to treat the amendment by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Curtin, opposing the income tax policy as one of no confidence. It is expected the new member for Kalgoorlie, Mr. Johnson, who won the by-election there recently for Labour, making the parties in the House of Representatives again equal, will attend the sittings next week, resulting in the Government’s fate being dependent on Mr. Wilson. An impression in political circles in that Mr. Menzies will make some concessions on the Budget and that a crisis will, be avoided.

NEW MOVE PROBABLE FORMATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’s’’ Canberra correspondent says that if the Federal Ministry is defeated on the Labour amendment to the Budget, fresh moves probably will be made to form a National Government. Several members of the United Australia Party have made it clear that the would support any leader who made a genuine attempt to form the strongest possible all-party Cabinet. A last-minute concession by one side or the other, however, may still save the Menzie's Ministry. Labour members are confident that the Government will compromise. Another possibility, if the Government is defeated, is a sudden general election, and the officers of the Official Labour Party have been instructed to prepare for it without delay.