DEFEATED ON CENSURE MOTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1941, Page 5

DEFEATED ON CENSURE MOTION

Two Independents Vote With Labour MR CURTIN TO FORM MINISTRY RETIRING PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES OPPONENTS (By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright.) . CANBERRA, October 3. Mr Fadden’s United Australia Party-United Country Party Government was defeated today by 36 votes to 33 in the division on Labour’s censure motion in the debate on the Budget in the House of Representatives. The two Victorian Independent, members, Mr Wilson (Wimmera) and Mr Coles (Melbourne), who held the balance of power in the House, voted with Labour. Air Coles, who resigned from the United Australia Party when Mr Fadden became Prime Minister, told the Mouse that his decision had been taken to end unstable control of the war effort, Mr Wilson said that if Labour could form a Government he would support it. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Curtin, said subsequently that he regarded the vote as a clear indication that, a Labour Government was wanted, lie was prepared to form a Government. Following an emergency meeting of Cabinet today, Mr Fadden tendered his resignation to Lord Gowrie. It is expected that the Governor-General will ask Mr Curtin to form a Ministry. Oii the defeat of the Government, the House adjourned. Mr Fadden was the first to congratulate Mr Curtin and leading members of the Opposition, who obviously appreciated his gesture. Another message states that Mr Fadden and Mr Curtin are to discuss the position of Sir Earle Page, who is on his way to London as a Minister representing the Australian Government,