ASKED TO RESIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1935, Page 7

ASKED TO RESIGN.

Book by Mr. W. M. Hughes Causes Sensation. DANGER OF SANCTIONS. SYDNEY, November 3. A sensation lias been created in Federal political circles by the announcement that the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, sent a telegram to Mr. W. M. Hughes, Minister of Health, asking for his resignation from the Ministry owing to liis attitude toward sanctions against Italy as contained in his book just published; entitled "Australia and the War To-day."

Ministers take the view that Mr. Hughes' sentiments are entirely at variance with those of the Government. One passage in the book reads: "Economic sanctions will provoke Italy's resistance, which means war, and only France and Kussia will support Britain in that event."

I Mr. Lyons, directing attention to j other references in the book refers to page 95, where it is said: "Economic sanctions are therefore either an empty gesture or war," ctc. This Mr. Lyons asserts is diametrically opposed to the Government's policy. "In these circumstances," said Mr. Lyons in his telegram, "your position in the Cabinet appears to be untenable. I therefore regretfully require your resignation, since I cannot have a divided front on this vital matter." Mr. Hughes 011 hearing that the Cabinet was discussing his position, issued a statement to the effect that he does not oppose sanctions but, in fact, supports the principle of collective action against an offending member of the League. Also he is prepared to support the Government in imposing sanctions against Italy. "What I do contend," said Mr. Hughes, "is that every sanction must bo supported by means adequate to make its imposition effective. Particularly is this the case with economic sanctions, which require force in the background to make a blockade or embargo effective." Mr. J. Curtin, Leader of the Federal Labour -party, claims that Mr. Hughes' attitude, according to his book, agrees with Labour's, namely, that sanctions against Italy, in the absence of international solidarity, are a danger rather than a service to world peace.