CRITICAL PERIOD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 129, 13 March 1931, Page 5

CRITICAL PERIOD

THE FEDERAL MINISTRY.

THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION, THE ISSUE IN GREAT DOUBT. (United Press Association—Copyright). CANBERRA, March 12. Even if the Federal Government survives the no-confidence motion, members of /the Lyons group expect to gain one or two additional adherents from the ranks of the Government. The atmosphere ini the lobbies to-day was tense. It is agreed on all sides that the days of the Scullin Ministry are numbered. Some members are already preparing for an early election. It is learned that even if the Government wins through on the votes of the men pledged to the Lang repudiation proposals, the Senate will decline to transact any Government business, thus bringing matters to a swift climax. The Senate holds that the Government has forfeited all right to carry on.

A LYONS MINISTRY. NEGOTIATIONS UN PROGRESS. (United Press Association —Copyright). SYDNEY, March 12. A Canberra message states that negotiations are proceeding for the formation of a Lyons Government, or alternatively, a Lyons-Latham Government. The “Evening News” commenting upon, the political crisis at CanbeiT’S, says: “It is now possible that the Scullin Government will be defeated on the no-confidence motion. In addition to the known supporters of Mr Lyons, it needs, only four Labour members to cross the floor to cause the defeat, and five more to run a Government against the biggest number of supporters tlie present Government could rally.” EXCLUDED FROM CAUCUS. THE LABOUR BREACH WIDENED. 1 (United Press Association—Copyright). CANBERRA, March 12. The- Federal Labour Party to-day, by 34 votes to 3. decided that the newlyelectedl East Sydney member (Mr E. J. Ward) was not eligible to sit or to take part in the Labour caucus. What-is known as the Lang faction, Messrs Beasley, Lazzarini, Eldridge, and Senators Rae and Dunn, did not vote, but hurried to an adjoining room, where they held a secret conference. The question now being keenly discussed is how this small group will vote on the censure motion. They received instructions from the State executive of the Labour Party to do nothing to force the Scullin Government out of office, but the fact remains that they were not in their places when the noconfidence debate was resumed in the afternoon. The vote, however, is not being taken till to-morrow. Arising out of the secret conference, Mr Beasley later issued a statement announcing that in view of the Party’s decision in regard to Mr Ward, it necessarily followed that he, Messrs jLazznrinij Eldridge,. and James (the latter also a Lang adherent), and Senators Rae and Dunn, should no longer be admitted to Party meetings; therefore, they could no ionger be expected to be associated with, or responsible for, the decisions cf the caucus.

“A BANKRUPT GOVERNMENT.” I>R. EARLE PAGE’S ATTACK. \ (United Press Association—Copyright). CANBERRA, March 12.' Among the speakers on the no-con-ifidence motion this afternoon was Dr. Earle Page, a former Federal Treasurer, who described the Government as the most futile, bankrupt, discredited, and fatuous the world Iliad ever seen. It had smashed its own Party, and would smash the Commonwealth. It had no confidence ip itself, while nobody else had any confidence in it. SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE. SYDNEY, March 12. The spectacular rise in share values continues on the Stock Exchange. The new confidence of buyers is forcibly demonstrated by the fact that no fewer than 38 issues recorded rises on the first two calls. . Exclusive of bonds and vestibule deals, 22,000 shares changed hands. Bank of New South "Wales shares found an active market. Fifty were bought for £3O 15s. Other banks wore firmer than usual WEST AUSTRALIAN PROPAGANDA FORMULA FOR CAUSING FIRES. (Received This Dav, 10.20 a.m.) PERTH, This Day. Evidence of Communist influence here was given in the Police Court when 11 men were charged with assault on the police during the recent not. The police stated that on one accused was found a formula for causing fires by acids, and instructions to the Perth branch of the Communist Party in reference to procedure with the unemployed. There were also documents signed “With greetings from the €bmmunist Party” concerning policy and propaganda. THE CLARENCE SEAT. RETAINED BY COUNTRY PARTY. (United Press Association—Copyright). SYDNEY, March 12. The vState by-election in the North Coast constituency of Clarence re-

suited' iu the election of Mr A. S. Henry by a substantial majority. He is a representative of the Country Party, as was his predecessor, the late Mr A. J. Pollack. LOWER INTEREST RATES. BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. SYDNEY, March 12. In the Legislative Assembly, the State Premier (Mr J. T. Lang) gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill next Tuesday to reduce the rates of interest payable in New South Wales; also to amend the Claims Against the Government and Crown Suits Act, 1912, and also certain other Acts. DRILLING BY UNEMPLOYED. \ PROHIBITION BY GOVERNMENT. PERTH, March 12. Upward of 50 unemployed have recently been undergoing drill instruction in a. public park. The Government has now issued an edict that drilling must stop, under a penalty of from 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment. AUSTRALIAN POUND IN LONDON. LONDON, March 12. “The Australian pound has developed weakness again,” says the “Financial Times.” “The outside market dealings have increased. Business Avas transacted on the basis of £l3l and £l2l 10s, with buyers legs in evidence. At the same time, avool trading is still improving, with increased prices. If the movement continues there is little fear of a decline in the sterling balances of the associated Australasian banks.”