PLAIN SPEAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 247, 17 October 1936, Page 13

PLAIN SPEAKING.

PREMIER AND PARTY. N.S.W. POLICY QUESTIONS. OMINOUS DISCUSSIONS. (From Our Own Corrsspondent.) SYDNEY, October 9. The many people who hoped to gather a great deal about the political situation "on the inside" from yesterday's meeting of the U.A.P. and U.C.P. members have been disappointed once more. Though little was reported officially about Wednesday's gathering, at which the Premier talked to his own United party following, it was a matter of common knowledge that a critical situation had developed, and it was expected that an attempt would be made to clear up the position at the joint meeting on Thursday. But, in the first place, the most elaborate precautions were taken to prevent the general public from learning what happened yesterday, what the Premier said, and what his critics and admirers said to him. "By instruction," says the "Labour Daily," which is usually accurate in matters of detail, "the Government telephone exchange was-told to disconnect all lines to the U.A.P. party _ rooms, where the meeting was held, while messengers were posted in the lobbies surrounding the party room to prevent persons from venturing within earshot." The natural consequence was that the newspapers this morning had simply nothing to tell us about yesterday's joint meeting. The "Sydney Morning Herald" published a brief formal _. notice of. the gathering, concluding with a statement made after its close by Mr. Stevens, to the effect that he spoke for more than an hour, "describing life and conditions" in the various countries that he had visited, and explaining what had happened at his numerous conferences with "British statesmen and industrial leaders." At the close of his address "the meeting expressed its appreciation" and asked the Premier to give another "talk" later on —and that is all that we are supposed to •know. Public Curious. *»But the reticence so carefully maintained by the Premier and his friends has naturally quickened public curiosity, and people in general have therefore turned with renewed interest to the only detailed account of Wednesday's meeting that has appeared in the public Press. The "Labour Daily," in spite of all the precautions taken 'to shroud this meeting in secrecy, succeeded in securing a report of the discussion which rail to close on four columns. Mr. Ross (U.A.P. member for Kogarah) charged Ministers with being prepared "to sacrifice the party and country in their bitterness toward one another in their fight for personal power"; he deplored the rivalry and antagonism between Mr. Bruxner and Mr. Spooner, as evidenced in the contest over the Main Roads Bill, and he assured Mr. Stevens that 011 the basic wage issue, only the dexterity of Mr. Weaver in moving an amendment to a Labour member had caused the Government from disastrous defeat. Of course, Mr. Ross attacked the Spooner-Bruxner policy of abolishing relief work and drawing men back 011 the dole, and on this point he received strong support from other speakers, who described this unfortunate step as "a colossal blunder," " a tragic blunder," and "an outrageous and foolish policy." People's Confidence Lost. Mr. Solomon (Petersham) told Mr. Stevens plainly that the people have lost confidence in the Government— "and if you wish to regain it, steps must be taken to rectify the position." Mr. Lee (Drummoyne), an ex-Minister of Justice, made a most vehement speech, denouncing the abolition of relief work, emphasising the fact that a U.A.P. member (Mr. Ross) has pledged himself to move a vote of censure 011 the Government when Parliament meets,, and demanding that the administration of public finances shall be placed under more effective control, as advised by the Auditor-General. Mr. Mair (Albury) declared that he had lost confidence in the U.A.P. pa.rty, and he assured Mr. Stevens that only a sense of personal loyalty had compelled him and others to vote in support of the Government on many occasions during the Premier s absence. As regards tlie abolition of relief work, Mr. Mair told Mr. Stevens frankly: "If it had happened while the House was in session, then I venture to say that you would not be Premier to-day." • Mr. Weaver, with characteristic vehemence, declared that "the party has almost unanimously lost confidence in Cabinet and is opposed to many of its actions," and he added bitterly enough, "I want to congratulate you, sir, that you were stronger in your absence than in your presence, for we wanted to save the Government while you were away." Mr. Moverly (Randwick) said to the Premier, "It is not necessary to tell you that the Government has lost the confidence of the people when we, the members of your own party, have lost confidence in the Cabinet." Storm of Protest Raised. Finally Mr. Ness (Dulwicli Hill) raised a storm of protest when he made an ill-timed attempt to-appeal to the ties of party loyalty and to draw the two sections of the Nationalist forces more closely together. His warning to the U.A.P. membersxthat they cannot afford to do without the U.C.P. aroused a strong chorus of disapproval, and however much individual. U.A.P. members may dislike Mr. Spooner, it 1 was made clear that they would support him against Mr. Bruxner, and would fight vigorously to break the "domination" which during the past twelve mouths the U.C.P. has exercised in Nationalist councils and over the Government's policy. Naturally enough Mr. Stevens seemed rather bewildered by the violence of these attacks, and, like an experienced campaigner, he proceeded to "spar for time." He appealed to his followers not to intensify this internal bitterness or to make the position more dangerous by carrying their quarrels and complaints outside; and his request to the Press not to disclose the true inwardness of the situation secured on the whole a sympathetic response. And so the curiosity of U.A.P. and U.C.P. members about their leader's views on all the important questions and problems that have caused so much agitation here must remain unappeased till after the Parliamentary session opens on October 20.