AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 29 August 1929, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY.

FATE L\ THE HAL A ACE

AH BIT KATI OK CHANGES

DISSENT IN THE HANKS.

SYDNEY, Aug. 8

There are many who think that the’ life of the Federal Government is In the balance, anti in certain quarters that are usually well informed of the trend of pqlitical events preparations are being made for an early election (writes the Sydney correspondent of the “Auckland Herald”). When the Government: faces Canberra at the session that will open liext Wednesday, it will have a majority of nine only, and its programme will include -Several matters that are highly contentious.

Hence the rumours that a cave lias been found among supporters of the Government with the idea of. ousting the Bruce-Page Ministry, which has lost a great deal of its •popularity with the fickle public since the Treasurer was unable to. show a surplus on his Budget figures. In any ease, there are at least three non-La'bour members of the House of Representatives upon which the Government can place no reliance, and among these the outstanding figure is Mr W. M. Hughes, a, very pronounced' thorn in The side of Mr Bruce.

PARTIES RANGED FOR BATTLE. The fate- of the Government will depend upon the reception of its proposals to retire almost completely from the field of industrial arbitration. This question is at last arousing the country. Both sides have ranged themselves for the battle, and the Federal Unions have appointed a special publicity agent to press their claims for it continuation of the existing system. Of course, this campaign will bo reflected in the discussions :in Parliament. Every member of Parliament has been appealed to to db. his utmost to retain the Federal Court, and there' is a, distinct suggestion that many a Government supporter will not support the Government in this vital matter. However, it may be a different matter when the party whip is heard, and when Air Bruce makes lvis promised airnouncenicnt that Tve is prepared to stand or. fall bv the -acceptance; of his policy. He says that there will he no turning back as far as lie is concerned, and if the followers of the Government are- not prepared, to accept his advice, which lias been given to the best of his knowledge, in the interests of the .country as a whole, well, they will have to get a new chief.

EXPECTATIONS OF MINT-TRY. Actually the Ministry expects to have a majority of thro© or four on the. Arbitration Abolition Bill. If the Bill fails to pass', an election is the only alternative, because the defeat of the Government on this issue would mean the resignation of the Government, and not the passing of the reins to a. new driver. Mr Bruce has taken the precaution to advise his known supporters of his intended move, and it is understood the nature of the replies he received made him. more determined to -to forward with his policy. There has been nnv amount of wirepulling. since, then, led that has sucre tied in changin''. tE* intentions of optv «ir nr two of the Governmentjsivp-' ooiTers. Nevertheless. the Ministry <'xpect.s to have a rough time, and it can rest assured that the strong Lahour Party will do if" utmost to obstruct the adontion of. the new policy. However. M•• Brace has had his heavy artillery randy. and it would srem that he has the numbers that aiy going to assure him victory in the end. But is it any "-onclot*, that .praiarations are proceeding for an 'early- ejection ? The Government is hv no means'sdcu rc. THE SECOND BIG ISSUE.

The second ibig issue concerns the. finances of tne Commonwealth, regarding wliicli the Treasurer, Dry Earle Page, will have something very gloomy to say. Lt is not expected, that., the Budget, which will be brought down, early in. the session, will contain any surprises.; Increased excise duties are certain to be levied. Thy re will be ho new direct taxation.' if isncili were proposed the Government would seal its ovyii late. Itwould be impossible to think ot a move that would be more unpopular with the politician, and with the public ns a whole. Evidently it is feared that there will be higher duties, on spirits, lor thousands of gallons have been taken out of bond during the last few weeks, much to the’delight of the Treasury, which lias had an unexpected windfall at a time when money was badly needed. . However, the Government, is going tooome in for a great, deal oC criticism on all sides, and Dr. Page, already unpopular among; Die Nationalists who are oil the “Outer,’’ is going to have his most difficult session. No doubt-ho will continue to simile as usual. He always smiles, but never .whole-diea-rtedly. It is an annoying Then there is a proposal that the salaries of members should, be reduced. but this does not come from the Government. 'Member*? now deceive £IOOO a year, anti, ,the suggestion is that in time of financial stress, such as the present, Uiey should consent to a reduction .'ol £2oo. The idea appeals to a very femfc — those who have independent means. It call 'be truthfully said that most of l lie. members of the Labour Party do not want an election, but what a delight they are going to take in watching the Government steer through a difficult course! .'The session is going to be crammed fulil of Interest, and' would be a a resit <ir aw. rivalling the talkies, if if acre staged in Sydney “instead of in isolated Canberra.