FEDERAL POLITICS.

Grey River Argus, 8 July 1922, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

MUCH CATT-ERWAULING. ‘ ‘AMBITIONS UNFULFILLED. ’ ’ [A. and N.Z. Cable Association.] MELBOURNE, July 7. In the House of Representatives. Mr Catts attacked the Labour Parly administration, alleging widespread corruption in the movement, and demanding a public enquiry. Those allegations referred to the New South Wales Labour Party and covered charges of corrupt balloting, engineering of Soviet propaganda, utilising “corrupt” money for electioneering purposes, packing of the Labour conferences, maladministration of funds and others equally widerearhing. Air Catts declared that for the past seven years, the Australian Labour Party in New South Wales had T'e -n controlled by the maiiipulation of the machinery and funds of the Central Branch of the Australian Workers ’ Union. lie contended that a sea veiling inquiry was imperative in tlie public interest. Air Lambert, ex-Lord Mayor of Sydney, and cx-Secretary of the Aus rnlian Workers’ Union, whose name was mentioned by Mr Catts in connection * with the charges, replying, d'u-larod hims-elf as shocked at the extraordin-( ary statements and accusations made by Air Catts under Parliamentary pii vilege. There was not an atom of truth in any <>f the statements. They were untruthful and unfair, and made by a disgruntled man who, he charged, with becoming disloyal to the Lu’oour Party, when his ambitions were not fulfilled. Air Lambert traversed and explained and categorically denied various statements. The matter then dropped. AIELBOURNE, July 7. In tire House of Representatives tho censure motion was defeated by 36 votes to 17. Mr Hughes on replying in a characteristic speech, accused the Opposition of claiming credit for the successful achievements of the Government, though they opposed them when the proposals were first mooted. INCREASE OF SEATS SOUGHT. MELBOURNE July 6. The Federal Country Party decided to urge an increase in the membership of the House of Representatives to seventy-six, with the object of saving Victoria a scat. The move is the outcome of the last census, which on a population basis gives New South Wales an additional seat. COWARDLY CATTS. VINDICATION GF UNION FINANCE. SYDNEY. July 7. Air Bailey, member of the N.S.W . Assemble, and the President ot the Central Branch of the Australian Workers’ Union, categorically denies the accusa-

tion made by Mi ? Catts ALP., in the Federal House of Representatives. Air Bailey adds that books of the W.A.W. Union are audited annually by the best auditors in Sydney and never a penny of the Union or Labour Party funds has been spent except in accordance ufith the rules of tho constitution. Other labour officials describe Caffs' attack as emanating from the “Coward Castle,’’ made outside of Parliament.