FATE IN THE BALANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 128, 12 March 1931, Page 5

FATE IN THE BALANCE

THE FEDERAL MINISTRY.

BITTER ATTACK BY MR HUGHES. FAILURE ABJECT AND COMPLETE (United Press Association—Copyright). CANBERRA, March 11. The no-confidence debate is proceeding in the House of Representatives. The fate of the Government is in the hands of the Lang group of New South Wales members. If it is to live, it will be saved by the votes of six members who are utterly opposed to its policy. Other Labour members, Messrs Lyons, Fenton, Guy and Gabb, have decided to /vote with the Opposition. The Prime Minister and Mr Theodore are very perturbed. Mr W. M. Hughes, who was the chief speaker on the no-confidence motion, employed the bitterest invective. “No Government assumed office with greater prospects,” he said. “After an experience of 15 years in exile, Labour at length triumphed at the polls. It had a magnificent opportunity, but it had thrown its opportunity to the winds. Its failure had been abject and complete, and the time was now ripe for a motion of this kind. That is what the majority of, the people are saying, and 1 shall shy it also. It would appear that the Government has run the full length of its tether.” Mr F. Brennan (Attorney-General) interjected: We finished you, at any rate.

Mr Hughes: Among your futile colleagues you stand out ay a monument of ineptitude. Mr Scullin had claimed that his Ministers are triers. They have certainly tried the patience of the people to the fullest extent. The Government has done what no previous Government has ever done—it iias split the Labour movement hopelessly. Instead of giving orders it has waited submissively for them. It has never been able to say it is master of its own house. I would have supported this Government so long as it had a mind of its own, but it is impossible any longer to have confidence in it. What is wanted is leadership. 1 have looked in vain for it. Mr A. Blakeley (Minister for Homo Affairs) attacked Mr Hughes. He said that no man had made more out of politics. The time then came when the National Party would tolerate Mr Hughes no longer. Mr Martens: They kicked him out and tied a tin to liis tail.

WILL VOTE AGAINST MINISTRY. CAUCUS SECRETARY RESIGNS.. (Received This Dav, 10.10 n.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. Air ,T. I/. Price, who was re-elected secretary of the Parliamentary Labour Party at the recent reallocation of portfolios, announced his resignation for that office. He states he will vote against the Government on the noconfidence motion. Mr Price says his action is dictated by Theodore’s reinstatement as treasurer and Air Scullin’s treatment of Messrs Lyons and Fenton. * Air Price’s action was entirely unexpected and the Government fears it is a prelude to an adverse vote in the House on the censure motion.

DANGER OF PROCRASTINATION. BANKERS’ REVIEW OF THE CRISIS. < (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 10. The Directors of the Commercial Bank accompany the accounts for the half .year with a critical review of the financial position of Australia. “No period in Australia’s history,” they state, “presented greater difficulties in financial life than those which face the country during the half year ended Decent her 31 last. The continued shrinkage of national income, due to the steady decline in the world prices for exported products of the country had a most disastrous result and was largely responsible for the economicposition now facing community. The position has to he faced and the problem is capable of being dealt with only by ourselves. /“Fortunately, for the country, seasonable conditions of a more favourable nat-uie have lately prevailed and to-day Australia as a whole is free from drought conditions. In the light of past experience we must now keep before us- that even if conditions develop which enable overseas borrowing on favourable conditions, we must refrain from indulgence in this direction to the extent of creating a position of false prosperity. The calls made upon the banking resources of Australia to meet the general position, have never relaxed anil a very serious aspect. of this matter reflects itself in the heavy drain, on banking iunds to carry over Governmental Budget deficits. This process of an inflationary nature and continual indulgence must eventually lead to the undermining of our monetary system. There is no oscflpG from the results oi unsound methods and rectification can be achieved only through the adoption of sane, sound procedure. The longer the reckoning remains unfaced, the more serious it becomes.”

INTEREST CHARGES REDUCED. AID FOR VICTORIAN CABINET. (Received This Dav, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The State Premier (Mr Hogan) announces that with the object of giving practical help to the Governmentin its endeavours to balance the Budget, the Commissioners of the State Savings Bank have decided, voluntary and unanimously, to make for the current financial year a substantial reduction in the interest on Victorian Government debentures and stock held by them. The saving to the Government will ho about £IOO,OOO.