SCULLIN IN DANGER

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 137, 6 March 1931, Page 9

SCULLIN IN DANGER

No-Confidence Motion NATIONALISTS READY Hostile Scene in House THEODORE HOWLED DOWN By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Rec. March 5, 10 p.m.) Canberra, March 5. The Opposition in the House of Representatives made a hostile demonstration against the Federal , Treasurer while the Prime Minister was announcing the names of his reconstructed Ministry. Immediately Mr. E. G. Theodore’s name was called a chorus of Opposition voices shouted: “Shame.” Pandemonium prevailed, and one member was compelled to apologise to avoid his removal from the House. Later, when Mr. Theodore gave notice of bis intention to introduce a Fiduciary Currency Bill, the Opposition again shouted “Shame” and endeavoured to prevent him from speaking, whereupon the Prime Minister appealed to the Opposition to record its protest in the orthodox manner. Mr. F. M. Forde, Minister of Customs, announced the Government’s intention to remove the duty on sheepskins, and also to refund all duty paid. Mr. J. G. Latham, Leader of the Opposition, gave notice of his intention to move “That the Government no longer possesses the confidence of the House.” The Prime Minister secured an adjournment until the following day. A late message states that the Federal Ministry is in grave danger of defeat on the no-confidence motion, especially if the division is taken to-morrow. The Government Whip, Mr. E. C. Riley, has telegraphed from Canberra to all Labourites to be in their places when Mr. Latham launches Ms motion at 11 o’clock to-morrow. Lyons May Secede. Interviewed in Sydney, Mr. J. A. Lyons said he expected four members of the Labour Party to vote against the Scullin Government on a no-con-fidence motion. He would take the opportunity of making his own position clear. It is expected that he will announce his secession from the Labour ranks. A prominent member of the Australian Labour Party Executive said that should the presence of Messrs. Beasley, Eldridge and Lazzarini be necessary to save the Federal Government against a censure motion, the State Executive of the A.L.P. would instruct them to remain in Sydney until the East Sydney byelection campaign was over. The “Labour Dally” says that in the event of a vote being taken tomorrow the Government is almost certain to be defeated. Resignation Withheld. An intriguing position has developed in Federal politics. Mr. McGrath has refused to accept the decision of caucus and will not resign his position as Chairman of Committees. Unless Mr. McGrath voluntarily resigns, the new appointee, Mr. Cunningham, Is powerless to assert his claim. A motion in the House to suspend Mr. McGrath will be opposed by his friends as well as the Opposition, which will not lose a chance to defeat the Government. LABOUR ANNOYED © Theodoi-e’s Expulsion Wanted Sydney, March 4. Mr. Theodore’s condemnation of Mr. Lang’s policy has so annoyed the State Labour Executive that they have given instructions to the Dailey Labour Council, which endorsed Mr. Theodore’s candidature, to expel him from the movement on the ground of disloyalty. SHEEPSKIN BUYING Operations to be Reopened (Rec. March 5, 10 p.m.) Melbourne, March 5. Sheepskin exporters throughout Australia have decided to renew their buying operations immediately the sheepskin duty is removed. It is estimated that since the duty was imposed on December 17, 1,060,000 skins have been either destroyed or damaged. Thousands have been burned. CHURCH AND POLITICS “Cuckoo Cry,” Says Dr. Wright Newcastle. March 5. The contention that the Church should take the lead iu political affairs was described by Dr. Wright, Primate of Australia, as a “cuckoo cry.” The time has passed, he said, when high dignitaries of the Church were associated with positions in civil life. The Church must lead in bringing the people back to God.