SCULLIN CHALLENGED

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 9

SCULLIN CHALLENGED

No-confidence Motion

UNITED OPPOSITION

Leader Makes First Move

BITTER LABOUR REPLY

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright

(Rec. May 7, 8.30 p.m.)

Canberra, May 7.

There were remarkable scenes of enthusiasm in the Federal Opposition lobbies to-day when the first meeting of the United Australian Party was held. Mr. J. A, Lyons was elected leader, and Mr. J. A. Latham deputy-leader. <

Messrs. W. M. Hughes and W. M. Marks, and Senator Duncan, who broke away from the Nationalists before the last election, and were largely responsible for the downfall of the Bruce Government, returned to the fold and were greeted with cheers. The first action of the new Opposition leader when he took his seat in the House of Representatives this afternoon was to give notice of his intention to move a motion of no-confidence in the Government. x This was followed by a bitterly sarcastic attack upon Mr. Lyons by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin. The House was in an uproar, with interjections and violent exchanges. Government’s Failure. The following is the text of Mr. Lyons’s motion of no-confidence: “That this House condemns the Government for its failure to take steps within its power to safeguard the Commonwealth against default, with the inevitable consequences of an extension of unemployment, distress, and suffering; that, therefore, it no longer possesses the confidence of this House.” The Prime Minister intimated that ho was willing to move the’ suspension of Standing Orders for the discussion of Mr. Lyons’s 'motion, otherwise it would be necessary to adjourn the House at once. i .

Mr. Lyons replied that he was not willing to move the motion immediately, whereupon Mr. Scullin began his attack, saying that Mr. Lyons had been going round as a saviour of the country-, and now declined a chance to proceed with his scheme of salvation.

.Several of the Ministers also condemned Mr. Lyons and declared that he had tried to break the Ministry while Mr. Scullin was abroad.

No Cheap-Jack Talk.

Mr. Lyons, in a brief reply, said he did not intend to indulge in cheap-jack efforts to defend his actions. He simply wished to assure the House that no pains would be spared to turn the Ministry out at the earliest possible moment.

It was his privilege to lead a strengthened Opposition, to be , known as the United Australia Party, whose objective probably was well known to the members of the Ministry. Hoots were given when Mr. Lyons resumed his seat.

. Mr. Latham, whose action in standing aside to allow Mr. Lyons to become Leader of the Opposition, was praised by members of his party, announced that an important resolution had been agreed to, allowing members of the United Opposition liberty of action. The majority would not seek to bind the minority, but the general principle had been affirmed that, upon the larger questions every endeavour shall be made to achieve agreement in order to present a nnited front to the Government. The House adjourned. References to Wives. At an earlier stage there was a scene in the House, when Messrs. Parkhill and Gabb took exception to what they called the sneering references made earlier in the day by Mr. A. Beasley to Mrs. J. A. .Lyons, wife of the leader of the new United Pafty. Mr. Eldridge, speaking of Mrs. Lyons, asked the Government if the people could be protected against the outbursts of “exiled Queens and Sairey Gamps.” The question was disallowed. Mr. Parkhill declared that it was the first time members had indulged in unchivalrous reference to the statements of members’ wives. BUDGET BALANCING Experts to Prepare Plan (Rec. May 7, 11 p.m.) Canberra, May 7. The expert committee which has been appointed to prepare a plan for balancing the Commonwealth and State Budgets over a period of years, will meet next week. It includes the Commonwealth Statistician (Mr. C. 11. Wiekens), Professor Giblin, Professor Copland, Professor Melville, and Professor Shand (adviser to the Bank of New South Wales). Their report will come before the Loan Council in due course. OIL IN AUSTRALIA Smug Attitude of People EXPERT TALKS PLAINLY Canberra, May 7. In a statement dealing with the search for oil in Australia, the geological adviser to the Commonwealth, Dr. Woolnough, says that there are good reasons for the failure of Australian oil search, of which American interference, if it exists at all, is of microscopic importance. "We in Australia are so selfsatisfied that we are averse to learning from anybody. We are so nationally vain that we tend to sit round talking of vast potentialities, instead of learning about other countries and what they have to teach us. "As soon ns we are willing to adopt American methods, so soon will oil be discovered in Australia.”