BITTER ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 23146, 21 December 1938, Page 11

BITTER ATTACK

FEDERAL POLITICAL SENSATION MINISTER AND OPPOSITION LEADER Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, December 20. According to the ‘ Sun/ a political sensation has been caused by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr H. V. Thorby, who, according to reports, bitterly attacked l the Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. Curtin, as the result of the latter’s criticism of the proposed Air Court of Inquiry. , Mr Thorby is reported to have described Mr Curtin as* a political orank who deliberately misquoted and misconstrued Government statements and plans. Mr Thorby added: “1 wish 1 bad the power to put traitors against the wall and shoot them.” Mr Curtin, replying from Perth by telephone to-day, said he intends to ask the Prime Minister to accept responsibility for Mr Thorby’s Fascistlike declaration; otherwise gazette mm out of office.

" OBVIOUSLY EXAGGERATED MR THORBY EXPLAINS. SYDNEY, December 21. (Received December 21, at 12,JU p.m.) Mr Thorby issued the statement that certain remarks attributed to him by a section of the Press in criticism of Mr Curtin had not been fairly stated. Ho added that those “ obviously exaggerated ” allusions were built up from what were simply expressions of general exasperation at persistent criticism of Ministers and tho Government. . Tho Sydney ‘Morning Herald’ says Mr Lyons has been in touch with Mr Thorbv on the subject, and it is known that Mr Lyons regards the matter very seriously. Mr Curtin, in a statement at Perth, said he proposed to take no further action, as it would appear that Mr Thorbv, in his latest statement, bad made it clear that be bad no intention of impugning either his honour or his loyalty.