NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1943, Page 5

NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE

FEDERAL HOUSE Opposition Case AGAINST INDUSTRIAL WORKERS. I [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] I SYDNEY, June 22. ' In the Federal House, Mr J. S. Rosevear was nominated by the Government for Speaker, in place of Mr Nairn who resigned, to vote with the ‘Opposition as a private member on the no-confidence motion, of Mr Faflden, Opposition Leader. Mr Rosevear therefore was elected unopposed. Mr Fadden has not yet stated i what are the grounds for his mo- , tion, but is expected to allege against I the Government ineffective measures (for industrial unrest; chaotic financial policy; muddling with food, rural I manpower and rationing; the Bris- ' bane Line strategy (which Labour , rejected) with reference to allegedly false claims made by Mr Ward (Labour Minister), which Mr Curtin did adequately repudiate. Political correspondents say Oppo- , sition Senators declared that if Mr Fadden’s motion was defeated, they would carry on the fight in the Senate, by opposing two important Bills scheduled to be dealt with in the next few days,—Unemployment Sickness Benefits Bill, and the Bill to en- , title all members of the Australian . fighting forces to vote at future elections.

In the Senate, Labour has 17 members to the Opposition’s 19. The Cabinet is reported to have decided that if the Senate carries out its threat, an election late in July, or early in August would be the best course to adopt.

The Sydney “Herald” says the Curtin Government and the Opposition have come to a definite parting of the ways and the question of confidence >must be referred from the floor of Parliament to the constituencies at an early date. The “Telegraph” said: “An election becomes increasingly necessary to clear the air which is suffocatingly charged with issues demanding some direction from the people.” (Rec. 10.35) CANBERRA, June 22.

} The Opposition Leader, Mr. Fadden i opened the debate to-day. On his motion of no confidence in the Government he declared: “The Curtin Government is not capable of governing. It has allowed industrial anarchy to prevail, because of its craven fear of its Tra'de Union masters. Mr. Fadden said that after the past twenty months of Labour rule, he was convinced that the considered opinion of a great mass of Australian people was that the Curtin Government had shown itself unfit to govern. He said there was bureaucratic control. There was subordination of immediate national needs to socialistic theories, irrespective of adverse war effects. Strikes and absenteeism in \Atal war industries were being allowed to go unchecked. There had been gross bungling of food production and rural manpower plans. There were shortages of essential commodities in a time of teeming production and of restricted overseas markets. There was an unfair and inequitable policy endangering the structure of Australian economy, and the prospect of successful post-war reconstruction. There were Ministerial and Departmental differences. Mr. Fadden contended that, for these and other important reasons, the Curtin Government was deserving of the strongest The debate is proceeding. An allnight sitting of the House of Representatives is in prospect. The Government is expected to defeat the no confidence motion by one , vote.