MAY SURVIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 56, 7 March 1931, Page 9

MAY SURVIVE.

* SCULLIN GOVERNMENT Opposition Attack on Censure Motion. ADJOURNED TILL WEDNESDAY. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 9.30 a.m.) CANBERRA, this day. In moving his motion of no-confi-dence in the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. G. Latham, bitterly attacked Mr. Scullin's Ministry. He said its record was one of blunders and tragic vacillation, which had resulted in the growth of disaffection among all sections of the community. The unemployment figures had jumped from 12.1 per cent, when the Government came into office, to 23.5 per cent to-day. Tho Government had no prestige or credit at home or abroad. Originally its majority was 19, but to-day it could not presume to know what the voting on this motion would be. After relating instances of the Ministry's incapacity, Mr. Latham attacked the Prime Minister for restoring Mr. Theodore to the Treasurership, which had given the country a terrible shock. His Budget failed at the rate of £2,000,000 a month for the first three months. Mr. Latham added that Mr. Theodore conld render a distinct service to the country by retiring from the Ministry. Scullin in Defence. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, in replying, said Mr. Latham's speech amounted to a diatribe of abuse and ofttold tales. He regretted that such things were possible in a national Parliament. There was nothing in his speech to indicate they werei living in abnormal times. Mr. Scullin challenged the Leader of the Opposition to say that anything he had done had impaired tho credit of the country. He also challenged him to say where further economies could be made without doing greater harm. The Prime Minister defended his action in inviting Mr. Theodore back to the Ministry. Considerable interruption occurred ■when Mr. Latham was blamed for giving legal advice to the Queensland Government with regard to the proper process in the prosecution of Mr. Theodore, arising out of thei Mungana affair. Mr. Scullin expressed the opinion that Mr. Theodore was the victim of political prosecution. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose until Wednesday. It is understood that the Government expects to win by four votes.

ELECTION NEAR.

Can to Country on Fiduciary Issue. SENATE REJECTION LIKELY. SYDNEY, March 6. The political happenings this week in Australia have given the people a little more heart. The reconstruction of the Federal Ministry, with the casting out of the recalcitrants, has been hailed with the utmost satisfaction. In ; financial circles the opinion is now gaining ground that the day when Mr. Scullin's Administration will have to face the electors is rapidly drawing near, and until then no perceptible improve-; ment in economic conditions can be hoped for. The Government's fate, it would appear, depends on the bill for the creation of a fiduciary currency of £18,000,000. Mr. J. B. Hayes, member of the Senate for Tasmania, is responsible for the statement that the Senate will certainly reject it. Thus will arise a crisis and an appeal to the people. The Labour leaders declare that the issue then will be the nationalisation of banking. The East Sydney Federal by-election, the outcome of which should be known at the week-end, may further complicate the Federal situation. This seat has hitherto been regarded as safe_ for Labour, but the friends of the National candidate, Mr. Courtenay, consider that he has more than, a sporting chance of Winning. On the other hand, should the Labour nominee, Mr. Ward, win, then Mr. Scullin, according to the Press, will be bound to include "him with the five other New South Wales members who repudiation, and whose tactics were responsible for the' present impasse. The position in the East Sydney byelection for the Federal seat which takes place to-day, is unique in so far as the ss»a ■SS.fK.'SES ted T S eminently safe Labour constituency The Labour candidate, Alderman E. is the champion of the State f ' , his candidature has been £ arrl ® p rem i e r on the policy enunciated by the Prenuer of New South Wales,. Mr. J. T. Lang, which, briefly stated, is that of "JWL tioru This policy has been the official Federal organisation, which consequently has left Mr. Wards ca ture unendorsed. Federal Labour m , for New South Wales have been oidereci by the State executive to disregard: . . work at Canberra, where a critical d on a censure motion was to , taken in order to assist m ' tne' Sydney campaign, and, subsequent y, orders were issued by the Prime ' Mr. Scullin, to these members to Hasten to the Federal House to save the Government. The fact that the J division has been adjourned till Wednesday has relieved a tense situation, lne Nationalist candidate, Mr. L. T. Court' ney, is well and favourably known throughout the constituency, but has a herculean task to gain the day in a seat which Labour has held tor 21 years. The result should be known this evening, as there are only two candidates in the field.

WAR DEBT PARLEY. EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT. (Received 11.30 a.m.)' CANBERRA, this day. An early announcement by both Governments simultaneously of the result of negotiations between the Governments of the Commonwealth and Great Britain respecting the Australian war debt is expected momentarily. The greatest reticence is at present being observed on the question.