AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 257, 13 October 1932, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

FEDERAL PREMIER’S OFFER

THREE PORTFOLIOS TO COUNTRY PARTY.

RESERVED ATTITUDE MAINTAINED.

(United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) (Received 13, 10.45 a.m.) Canberra, October 13.

An offer by Mr Lyons of three portfolios to members of the Country Party was the subject of lengthy discussion by that party, after which it was decided to accept Mr Lyon’s letter as a basis for future negotiations. The Country Party’s attitude is that it must preserve its identity and that it cannot permit Mr Lyons to select from it his Ministers. The party also desires, before accepting seats in the Ministry to settle the future policy on matters affecting producers, including exchange. The Country Party passed a resolution of confidence in its leader, Dr. Earle Page. Mr Lyons later sent a letter to Dr. Earle Page emphasising that his letter was not intended to be an invitation to a general discussion, and asking whether the proposal was acceptable to the Country Party or not. WIDOWS’ PENSIONS. (Received 13, 10.30 a.m.) Sydney, October 13. Widows’ pensions will be reduced from £1 for the widow and 10s for a child, to 17s 6d and 8s 9d respectively, bringing them into line with the Federal scale. Extension of the powefs and an increase in the personnel of the Public Service Board, adjustment of endowment payments and the above reductions in pensions are features of Bills which the Government introduced in the Assembly in connection with its budgetary proposals. UNWELCOME VISITOR TO SCHOOL. (Received 13, 10. 35 a.in.x Sydney, October 13. An unknown woman visited the Manly Public School and gave the girls a bag of toffee, after eating which 25 girls became ill, yomiting violently. Most recovered after the teachers had given them emetics, but some were still in pain late last/night.