CABINET PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 81, 30 December 1931, Page 9

CABINET PROBLEMS

Lyons and Country Party POWER AT CANBERRA Majority of United Party COULD RULE THE ROOST By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Rec. December 29, 9 p.m.). Sydney, December 29. Mr. J. A. Lyons expects to be able to announce the new Federal Cabinet on Thursday. The question as to what representation the Country Party will be given in the Cabinet is the subject of a Press controversy and constitutes a delicate aspect. Although the Country Party emerged from the election with increased strength, the fact remains that the United Australia Party has an absolute majority over all other parties in the House of Representatives. A section of the Press desires that the Country Party shall be given adequate representation. Meeting of Party Members. A number of the Country Party representatives met in Sydney and discussed the conditions on which the party will co-operate with the United Australia Party in the formation of the new Cabinet. It was agreed that Mr. Lyons should exercise a free hand in making his choice, the party members being less concerned with the office than with the adopted of a definite policy which will solve Australia’s difficulties and behind which • the united parties could range themselves. Such a policy was agreed upon before the elections, the main features of which are:— (1) The revision of the tariff to reduce the cost of living and production. (2) Constitutional changes to enable the people of New South Wales to get control of their own affairs and automatically force Mr. J. T. Lang,to go to the people. (3) Means to deal effectually with the Communists. Page and Lyons to Meet.

Dr. Earle Page, Leader of the Country Party, is willing, if desired, to act merely in a liaison capacity between the new Government and the Country Party. Mr. Lyons, who is now in Tasmania, declared that he wants a completely united party. He will consider any representations from the Country Party which will achieve that end, and ‘accordingly he has arranged to meet Dr. Page at Melbourne to-mor-row. ,

SAFE LABOUR SEAT Likely Present for Lang Sydney, December 29. Distribution of the preferences in the Reid seat was completed last night, the Lang Planner,. Mr. J. H. Gander, winning by 7457 from the anti-Labour candidate, Mr. R. UebeL ' It is understood that Mr. Gander, who is a billiard marker, expressed his willingness during the election campaign to resign the moment Mr. Lang desired to enter Federal politics, and this is believed to be imminent. Thus Mr. Lang will be able to contest this safe Labour seat.

NEGLECT OF DUTIES Land Board Trio Replaced Sydney, December 29. Protracted investigation by the Industrial Magistrate, Mr. Prior, has resulted in stringent criticism of the three commissioners comprising the Western Lands Board, whom he declared to be guilty of misbehaviour and incompetence, by refusal or deliberate neglect, to carry out the duties of their oflSce. The State Government has decided to dismiss them and to appoint the following new board:—Mr. P. M. MeGirr, a Legislative Councillor and brother of the Minister of Local Government; Mr. T. Watson, surveyor, of Forbes, the Lang Plan candidate for Calare at the recent Federal election; and Mr. W. Stagg, secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ League. The term of appointment is seven years. Mr. McGirr, as chairman, receives £l5OO per annum, and the others £lOOO per annum each. The announcement of the personnel has caused surprise.