CANBERRA PANDEMONIUM

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 March 1931, Page 5

CANBERRA PANDEMONIUM

OPPOSITION RAISE STORM FINANCE BILL ROUSES PROTEST FIDUCTAIRY ISSUE MEASURE. (United Trese Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) CANBERRA, March 5. The Opposition in the House of Representatives made a hostile demonstration against the Federal Treasurer (Mr. E. G. Theodore) while the Prime Minister was announcing the names of the reconstructed Ministry. Immediately Mr. Theodore’s name was called a chorus of Opposion voices shouted “Shame!” Pandemonium prevailed and Mr Bayley was compelled to apologise to avoid removal from the House. Mr. Theodore gave notice of lus intention to introduce the I iduciary Currency Bill, the object of which is to create a fiduciary note issue of £18,000,000. The Opposition again shouted “Shame!” and endeavoured to prevent him from speaking, whereupon the Prime Minister appealed to the Opposition to record its protest in the orthodox manner. Mr. F. M. Forde, Minister of Customs, announced the Government’s intention to remove the duty on sheepskins and refund all the duty paid. Mr. J. G. Latham, Leader of the Opposition, gave notice of liis intention to move: “That the Government no longer possesses the confidence of tlia House.” The Prime Minister secured an adjournment until the following day. Mr. Lyons to-day said he expected four members of the Labour Party to vote against the Scullin Government on the no-confidence motion. He would take the opportunity of making his own position clear. It is expected he will announce his secession from the Labour ranks. „ - A later message states that the 1* ecleral Ministry is in grave danger of defeat- on the no-confidence motion, especially if the division is taken tomorrow The Government Whip, Mr. E. C. Riley, has telegraphed to all Labourites to be in their places when Mr. Latham launches his no-confidence motion at 11 o’clock to-morrow. The New South Wales Labour executive has instructed its Federal members to defy the summons in order to see the East Sydney by-election through.

N ATH SANCTION DOUBTED Received 11 a.nu to-day. HOBART, March 5. Senator J. Haye-s, on arrival from Canberra, said there would be no issue of fiduciary notes without an election. The Senate would certainly not agree to the issue. REFUSAL TO RESIGN CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. Received 11 a.m. to-day. CANBERRA, March 6. Asked for a statement, Mr McGrath said: “I intend to do nothing about the matter. I am Chairman of Committees and intend to remain so. The view is taken by Mr McGrath and his supporters that the chairmanship of committees is. a position which must be decided by the House.