AUSTRALIA’S PLIGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1931, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S PLIGHT

MR. SCULLIN’S PROPOSAL . EVADING AN ELECTION ‘ I [BY CABLE —PEESS ASSN. COPYBIGHT.] (Rec. May 11, Noon) MELBOURNE, May 11. Mr. Scullin said he was willing to confer with all sections of the House, and all sections of the community, with the object of providing relief for the existing distress. He had submitted a proposal to Parliament a fortnight ago to convert it into an economic conference in which the whole of the . problems of Australia could be discussed openly and frankly apai from party considerations. He was prepared to'repeat that offer if necessary. The Standing Orders could be suspended so that the proceedings would be conducted more in the nature of a conference than on the lines of the usual parliamentary debates. The Government business sheet would be put aside for the time. Committees representing all parts of the House could if desired, be set up to examine each specific industry. The Government was prepared to place its definite proposals before such a conference, and everyone else could do the same.

FIDUCIARY NOTES ISSUE. ' SYDNEY, May 10. The “Sun’s” Canberra correspondent says:—Hints in Material circles suggest that the Scullin Gov-, ernment may drop the fiduciary notes issue owing to blunt warnings from their followers who have returned from the electorates that this issue would be a disastrous one on which to fight a general election at the present. It is believed that Mr Scullin and Mr Theodore may offer to unite with the State Premiers in raising the loan without the Commonwealth as an alternative to the fiduciary note scheme. MR SCULLIN’S DENIAL. 1 i MELBOURNE, May 10. Mr Scullin denies the published statement to the effect that the Government is manoeuvring to remain iu office. Mr Scullin says that the policy of the Government will be pursued, and if-it is frustrated by the Senate, then an appeal will be made to the country in a double dissolution. BIG FEDERAL DEFICIT. CANBERRA, May 11. Although a slight improvement in the state of the finances of the Commonwealth was effected by the increased taxation-payments during April, a big deficit still exists for the ten months ended April 30. The expenditure exceeded the revenue by £19,201,000. The figures are: Revenue £48,699,000 and expenditure £67,900,000. It is expected that taxation receipts in the next two months will further reduce the deficit before the end of the financial year.

TASMANIAN ELECTIONS.

LOSSES BY LABOUR.

HOBART) May 10. The-Federal financial issue appears to have entered in the Tasmanian State general election, in which .theie was steady voting yesterday for the several divisions, each of which returns six members to the Assembly. At the dissolution the House comprised fifteen Nationalists, fourteen Labourites and one Independent. On a preliminary count the Labour Party appears to have lost ground all round, as the Government is likely to gain a seat in the Darwin division, another seat in the Wilmot division, and probably a third seat in the Denison division.

The Premier, Mr McPhee, based the Government’s financial policy on an adhesion to the Melbourne Agreement, and on making the State live within its means. The Labour Leader, Mr Ogilvie, espoused the fiduciary note issue and alsa Mr Lang’s plan. Mr Ogilvie’s personal vote in Franklin shows a heavy drop.

The present indications are that the state of parties wil be: Nationalist Party and other non-Labourites 18; Labour Party 12. LEAD TO OTHER STATES. (Received May 11, 10.30 a.m.) , HOBART, May 11. It now appears that the Nationalists have won four seats from Labour at the general elections. The strength of the parties in the hew Parliament is expected to be Nationalist 19, Labour 10, Independent one. ' Voting was on the preferential system, and the distribution of preferences cannot be undertaken for some days, but the figures appear to indicate that the Government has gained four seats. Voting was compulsory for the first time. Premier McPhee said that the vote showed the people appreciated the serious position of Australia. The result of the elections would help towards correcting the unstable conditions and should help towards a restoration of confidence.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Ogilvie) said the majority of the people had accepted the assurance of the Government that if it were returned, the financial position, would improve. The next six months would disillusion them, and they would regret their vote in the hard times ahead.