MR. STEVENS RESIGNS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 30, 4 August 1939, Page 9

MR. STEVENS RESIGNS

PREMIER OF N.S.W.

DEFEATED IN ASSEMBLY

CENSURE MOTION ,

PASSED BY MARGIN OF TWO

VOTES

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received August 4, 10 a.m.)

SYDNEY, August 3

In the Legislative Assembly this afternoon the Stevens Government was defeated by 43 votes to 41 on the motion of the former Minister of Works and Local Government, Mr.

Spooner, which the Premier treated as one of censure.

The House immediately adjourned, and tonight the Premier saw the Governor and tendered the resignation of his Ministry.

Teh members of the United Australia Party, otherwise Government supporters, crossed the floor of the House, and one Independent member also voted for the motion. Four Government supporters were absent when the division was taken, two through illness and two who are travelling abroad.

The Government's defeat was cheered even in the galleries, which were crowded. A large crowd outside also cheered. It was quite evident that the Premier is not politically popular in certain quarters. PREMIER NONPLUSSED. Mr. Stevens himself was nonplussed by the vital verdict and left the chamber dispiritedly. The tenor of the debate was acrimonious, several Government sup-

porters indulging in biting criticism of the Premier's dictatorial methods. The Premier called on the Governor (Lord Wakehurst) tonight land discussed the crisis, but no immediate decision was reached. Later, however, Mr. Stevens suddenly changed his plans and tendered the resignation of his Ministry. At the request of the Governor, Mr. Stevens will carry on for the next few days. The "Sydney Morning Herald" says that the hostility between the leader of the Country Party, Mr. H. F. Bruxner, and Mr. Spooner, militates against the latter's chances of securing the leadership, and Mr. A. Mair, Minister of Labour, is considered to have a reasonable chance of defeating Mr. Spooner. Mr. Stevens succeeeded Mr. T. R. Bavin as leader of the National Party in New South Wales early in 1932. He had entered the Legislative Assembly only six years earlier and previously was Director of Finance, from which position, it is alleged, he was practically forced out by Mr. J. T. Lang. When he became Premier seven years ago, Mr. Stevens was 43 years old. The split between Mr. Stevens and Mr. Eric S. Spooner, formerly Minister for Local Government and Public Works, arose after discontent had existed within the party for several months. At'the end of May Mr. Spooner failed to attend a meeting of Cabinet, and it became known that he disagreed with his colleagues over matters of financial policy. Also his policy in relief works had not been completely endorsed for some time, it appeared. However, what differences existed seemed to have been adjusted, until at the end of last month the Cabinet decided on vital changes of policy in respect to relief works, Mr. Spooner being invited to share his powers with four other members of Cabinet. The members of this group included some who had been critical j of the Government's course. Later allegations were made that the Budget had been "faked" andi in the subse- j quent discussions Mr. Spooner declared that he had said something, which, it appears, might have been critical of the Budget, to a Country Party member. Following this Mr1. Spooner resigned, and later accused Mr. Bruxner, the leader of the Country Party, of having made his (Mr. Spooner's) position untenable. Last Wednesday Mr. •Spooner criticised Mr. Stevens's financial policy and submitted a motion recommending a new policy for the 1939-40 year.