NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1943, Page 4

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

federal parliament Opposition Notice ELECTONS MAY BE HASTENED. CAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.)' (Rec. 10.55.) CANBERRA, June 21. There was a dramatic turn in Australian political events to-day. It took place when the Opposition decided to move a motion of no-confi-dence against the Curtin Government in the Federal House. If the motion were to be successful, it would mean that the life of the Federal Parliament would end within a few days, and that this would be followed by an early general election.

It is expected, however, that the Victorian Independent Member, Mr. Coles, whose vote will decide the fate of the Opposition motion, will support the Government in a division. This is the first no-confidence motion in the Federal Parliament since the war. began. Although no specific reasons have been given for the motion, it is understood that the ground for the motion will be on war issues, namely, continued industrial stoppages, and an alleged failure by the Government to take adequate steps to meet them. The Government has been informed that the Speaker, Mr. Nairn, will leave the chair in order to vote with the Opposition. All Parliamentary business will be suspended until the motion is decided.

Some political commentators suggest that the Government may not wait for a vote of 'Parliament, and that Mr. Curtin may announce that he is prepared to abide by the vote of the people. It is suggested that they will aoproach the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, for a dissolution. Mr. Curtin, however has already said that he does not care for himself, but he is prepared to carr-v on until the end, if he is permitted. “I respect the Parliamentary system of this country, and will carry on so long as it allows me to do so,” he stated. Within two minutes of its assembly, the House of Representatives to-da" adjourned until Tuesday afternoon. This was after the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Fadden._ gave formal notice of his. no-confidenco motion.