DRAMATIC OFFER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1941, Page 7

DRAMATIC OFFER

MADE BY MR MENZIES

THREE PARTIES INVITED TO CHOOSE LEADER.

SMALL CHANCE OF ESCAPE

FROM ELECTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, August 22. “Choose your own loader.” Tliis was the dramatic- offer made Io the throe Parliamentary parties today by the Prime Minister, Air Menzies, who has written to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Curtin, suggesting the formation of a National Government and a Prime Minister to he selected by the three Parliamentary parties.

This offer would entitle Labour to half the portfolios in a National Government. and with Labour dominating the three-party deliberations the new Prime Minister would probably be a member of the Labour Party. Mr Menzies made his announcement at a joint meeting of the Government Parties which was summoned after seven and a half hours of Cabinet discussion late last night and again this morning. He made it clear that he was willing to stand down io facilitate political unity. An Independent member of the House of Representatives, Mr Wilson, who holds the balance of power in the House, in an interview, said: “While I believe we should have a representative in London, I cannot see that it is essential that the Prime Minister should be our representative. I am not opposed to him going, so long as this does not mean immunity for the Government during his absence." Mr Wilson was invited io attend yesterday’s joint meeting of the Government Parties, but declined to do sc. When the Minister of the Navy. Mr Hughes, concluded his speech in the House last night, Mr Menzies made an effort to stop the debate, saying that no good purpose would be served by continuing.

Opposition members protested, and caused an uproar, with the result that Mr Menzies abandoned his attempt. The Deputy-Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Forde, contended that a shameful atmosphere had been built round the international situation to enable the Government to unload its unpopular leader on the other side of the world. Dr. Evatt, a Labour member of the Advisory War Council, spoke in a similar strain, and heated exchanges were frequent. In the Senate the debate is proceeding and is based on a motion for printing Mr Menzie’s war statement of Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s broadcast, which was due at 9.30 last night, had to be cancelled because of the fact that Parliament was still in secret session and his presence was needed there.

Mr Menzies was to have spoken on the international situation, with particular reference to Far East developments.

The consensus of opinion in the lobbies last night was that there was small chance of an escape from a general election. LABOUR ATTITUDE REJECTION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. MEETING ON TUESDAY. CANBERRA, August 22. Tiie political crisis has been deferred •till next Tuesday when the Parliamentary Labour Party will deal with the Federal Cabinet's offer for the formation of a National Government. The belief prevails that if Labour rejects it the Government will seek an immediate general election on the proposal to form a National Government. On the other hand, an election is not regarded as the only alternative, as rebel Government members, of whom there are at least three already known, are expected to offer the Labour Leader, Mr .Curtin, support sufficient to enable a Labour Ministry to take office. It is believed to be most.unlikely that Labour will agree to a National Government. Mr Menzies, in his letter to Mr Curtin, emphasised the imperative need for political stability in Australia in order to deal with grave problems with unity and strength. He suggested that a new Cabinet should be formed of equal numbers from the Government and the Opposition, under the leadership either of the present Prime Minister, the present Leader of the Opposition, or another leader to be chosen by some method to be agreed upon.

“I would be prepared to serve under anybody as the result of the acceptance of this offer,” he added. Commenting on the offer, Mr Menzies said he did not know of any previous instance where a Prime Minister had offered to stand down in the interests of political unity. Sir Earle Page, and the Minister of the Navy, Mr Hughes, paid a tribute to Mr Menzies. They described his offer as a most statesmanlike action, aimed at overcoming a paralysing Parliamentary deadlock. Parliament adjourned till next Wednesday.