DISSOLUTION UNLIKELY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26265, 9 November 1950, Page 7

DISSOLUTION UNLIKELY

ELECTION AVERTED IN AUSTRALIA

CANBERRA, November 7. The Federal Cabinet has decided that it would be inexpedient at present to seek a double dissolution of the Federal Parliament on the Banking Bill issue. Therefore, no General Election is likely this year. The decision was reached after the Ministers had discussed a proposal that the Governor-General should be asked for a dissolution on the grounds that the Senate had failed to pass the bill. Last Wednesday the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator W. P. Ashley) announced that the Labour majority in the Senate would move to refer the bill to a select committee. The general opinion at the Cabinet meeting was that until this motion had actually been carried the Prime Minister (Mr would not be in a position under the Constitution to approach the Governor-General. It was also emphasised that the electoral machinery would not be ready in time for a General Election this year, and that an early election would probably prevent the passage of the Budget through both Houses and further delay the increases in the age, invalid, and service pensions. The Government has a heavy legislative programme to complete before •it rises, probably on December 14, and it will consider increasing the sitting days from three to four weekly. The National Trailing Bill is expected to be introduced in the House rejection of this bill by the Senate might create another constitutional crisis between the two Houses. of Representatives next week. The