MINISTRY DEFEATED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 170, 11 April 1908, Page 5

MINISTRY DEFEATED.

MR. DEAKIN MAY RESM A PRESSURE TO RETAIN HIS POST. CONFERRING WITH LABOUR. : BY TELEGRAPH —riIESS ASSOCIATION —COPTiIODT. Melbourne, April uO. At a lato hour last night Mr. Deakiirysuffored a roverso which caused him to adjourn tho Federal Houso of Representatives till Wednesday,- in order that tho Government might consider its position. ; \ Tho crisis arose; out of a motion by Mi. Wobster for tho appointment of a Royal Commission to supersede tho Cabinet mittco now about to conimonco an inquiry into Post Office disorganisation. An adjournment of: the debate was moved, and the Ministerialists were defeated by 31 votes to 28. ■' ... '. Mr. Deakin thereupon intimated that lie accepted the vote as ono of censure on tho Government; What the result will be depends- largely upon tho Labour party, but as tho caucus is not solid on Mr. Webster's proposal it is probable-that matters will bo smoothed. • SUCCESTED COALITION. SIR WILLIAM LYNE. , 7 (Rec. Apiil 10, 11.47 p.m.) , , Melbourne, April 10. Tlio' political situation is causing' much speculation. To-day Ministers held a consultation', and' tho Labour Caucus discussed tho situation. Mr. Deakin and Sir William Lyne (Federal Treasurer) also conferred' with Messrs. Fisher and Watson (Leader and ex-Leader respectively of the Labour party). Many rumours are current. One is that Mr. Deakin intends to retire; and that Sir William Lyno will attempt to form a coalition administration with the. Labour party. It is stated that strong pressure is being brought to bear on Mr. Deakin to induce him. to take" another riow of the, situation. " DIFFICULT TO DEFINE." The Australian Postmaster-General (Mr. Mauger) made some'' strong remarks in the House'of Representatives on April 3in connection with his Deputy Postmasters-General. The subject was decentralisation. ; Mr. Mauger said that the Deputy Postmasters-General havo hot exercised to ; the ■ f«ll the' powers they wore entrusted with. Mr. Pago (Queensland): Why don't you sack them? "''Mr. Mnuger: Because I haven't the power. Sir John Forrest (W.A.): , Surely you don't mean , that you would sack them if . you had the power? , - • Mr. Mauger: 'No, I'don't mean that; but many of the instructions issued to them have been wilfully misunderstood or sadly misinterpreted. ■ ■ Mr. Fisher: Have you found any contumacious disregard, of your instructions by the Deputy Postmasters-General in the States? ' Mr. Mauger: I would not like to go bo far; but I would say that I haven't'had that cordial co-operation from them that I should havo the right to expect. , ./ , > Mr. Page: Then you have been wanting in your duty, if you. haven't brought them up. Mr. Mauger: There is a kind .of a lack of co-operation . which.'is difficult to..'-define, although one may .know it is there; Mr. Page: I would define it somehow. Mr. Fisher: I would like to know if thero has been any disjjosition to disregard tho instructions of the -head-office." . ' . .Mr. Mauger: No' apparent disposition. Mr. Fisher: Do you think there has been a sullen indifference, to, instructions' given? Mr. Mauger: Not a sullen indifference, but I think now. they havecomo. to a better understanding, 1 and that this passive. 'resistance is "being; overcome.' But our difficulties might have been''reduced had there been a cordial co-operation ■ b.v-'not only ; the -Doputy'" Post-masters-General but other high officers. Mr. Fisher: It is a rather serious charge you are making., .