SCULLIN'S INVITATION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 9

SCULLIN'S INVITATION

NON-PARTY CONFERENCE

PREFERS EARLY ELECTION

SO DOES EARLE PAGE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. CANBERRA, 21st May. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr. J. A. Lyons, Leader of the Opposition, in announcing the decision upon Mr. J. H. Scullin's invitation to a non-party conference, said that the Opposition did not think that such a conference would assist the financial and economic position of the country. "As'an alternative," ho added, "we are prepared to validate the tariff proposals for a period of six months and to give Supply for three month's, in order that there may bo a prompt appeal to the people by a General Election. , "If, however, the Government .will abandon its policy of inflation and the political control of banking, and will also endeavour to bring the Government's expenditure^ within its income within a reasonable time, it can count definitely on tho support of the Opposition." " QUITE IMPRACTICABLE. " * Dr. Earle Pago, Leader of the Country Party, said that, his party, while anxious to extend co-operation in a non-party spirit in order to find a solution /for Australia's difficulties, regarded the Prime Minister's plan as quite impracticable ; unless the Government were prepared to carry out the decisions of the noii-party conference. Ho added-'that the present intolerable position should be ended by a General Election. Mr. Scullin exprossed deep disappointment. "Surely," he added, "the Opposition has remedies tor the present' impasse." They would have to disclose them to people at some time, then why not now. "-Frankly," he said, "I am disappointed." Mr. C. W. Marr (Nationalist): "So is the 'public" Continuing, Mr. Scullin added: "As tho overtures of the .Government have been rejected we,must now g0,0n."