HUGHES RESIGNS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 5

HUGHES RESIGNS

OPPOSITION LEADER SENT FOR

SITUATION IN SUSPENSE

(Rec. January 8, 0.0 p.m.)

Sydney, January 8. Mr. Hughes has resigned unconditionally. The Hon. F. G. Tudor has been sent for. (Rec. January 8, 8.40 p.m.) Melbourne, January S. The Governor : General has accepted tho Federal Ministry's resignation, and requested it to continue in office pending the appointment of successors. Mr. Tudor, after conferring with the Governor-General, stated that he had received no commission to form a Ministry, but may see tho Governor-Gen-eral again, who in the meantime is consulting with tho Hon, J. H. Cook and the Hon. B. R. Wise.—Press Assn.

Constitutionally, Mr. Hughes would have been quite within precedent in retaining the leadership of the Government (says the Sydney "Sun"). "No constitutional question is involved," declared a high legal authority a few days ago. "It is purely a matter of personal taste and political principle. 1 ' A' negative vote on a measuro submitted in tho form of a referendum to tho people does not of itself impose upon the Cabinet the necessity of retiring. The referendum is merely the means of obtaining the decision of the electors on a specifio proposal, and its primary objeot may be to relieve a Ministry of responsibility. But at Bendigo, on November 12, Mr. Hughes accepted' full responsibility for tho reinforcements' referendum, and staked the existence of his Cabinet; on the result. "I tell you plainly that tho Government, must have the power," ho said. "It cannot govern tpe country without it, ; and will not attempt to do so." The pledge seemed specific and binding enough for all purposes. Sir William Irvine, accepting it in that spirit, telegraphed the following day to the Conscription Committee, and asked it to sink all other questions. 'Mr. Hughes' was at the Sydney Town HalL on the, following night, when ho repeated the, Bendigo ■ pledge.. Subsequently Mr.j Cook (Minister for-the Navy) and Mr.j Watt (Federal Minister for Works) am-; plifled and emphasised, it, and everybody accepted it without hesitation. A double dissolution ha's been advocated as the most effective means of overcoming the deadlock between Parliament and the people. But there is w machinery by which tho Senate can .lie dissolved except when a set of specific conditions has been created. these oircumstanccs relate to a deadlock botween the two Houses, and involve, a. protracted legislative process, it is obvious that a, dissolution of the Senate is impracticable m the circumstances existing. ' '