C.P. BREAKAWAY GROUP MAY BACK LIBERAL CABINET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22816, 10 December 1948, Page 5

C.P. BREAKAWAY GROUP MAY BACK LIBERAL CABINET

MELBOURNE, Dec, 9. After a night of tension in the Victorian Parliament, the Country Party is repored to have split over the issue of support to the Liberal Premier, Mr. T, Hollway. An authoritative source says that the breakaway section will form an Independent Country Party which will support the Hollway Government. The numbers of this body are not yet known, but are believed to be sufficient to enable Mr. Hollway, who already commands 28 seats in a House of (14, to govern without fear of a reverse at the hands of the Opposition, consisting of Labour and the rump of the Country Party. In the Legislative Assembly last night, eight bills were passed without a division and supply was granted to the Liberal Government until June 30. The Liberal Minister then believed the Country Party members were unwilling to call for a division because of the fear that it would reveal th§ schism in the ranks.

Later, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly was asked to provide party room accommodation for a fourth party. The request was for a room capable of holding “substantial numbers.” The breakaway group is believed to be led by members of the Upper House, Mr. Lienhop and Mr. Lansell, the former of whom was Minister of Mines in the Liberal-Country Party coalition. The actual formation of the new party may be delayed as the House will go into recess tomorrow night.