THE FEDERAL MINISTRY
The understanding reached between the Federal Prime Minister and the Leader of the Country Party should ensure political tranquillity during the Government’s terfn of office. A satisfactory conclusion to the present negotiations was unexpected in view of the differences between the two parties, mainly in the matter of tariffs. When, shortly after the elections, Mr Lyons made overtures to Dr. Earl Page for a Coalition Government, he offered two full portfolios and one assistant Ministership; later, lie expressed willingness on behalf of the United Australia Party to give the Country Party three representatives in the Cabinet, one of the portfolios to be the Vice-Presidency of the Executive Council. The Country Party, however, w r as not satisfied with the offer, and sought four full portfolios with Dr. Page as Deputy - Prime Minister. This was refused. It was, however, the question of tariffs, which in 1931 had prevented the Country Party from giving a full measure of support to the Government, that was the chief obstacle to the formation of a Coalition a month ago, but the Canberra message is silent on the
compromise reached in this respect. On the question of Cabinet representation the Country Party has been granted two full portfolios and two honorary Ministerships. Dr. Page takes rank after the Prime Minister and is to be Deputy-Leader of the Government and actingPrime Minister when Mr Lyons is absent. Until Mr Scullin’s motion of no confidence in the Government is disposed of the new Cabinet will not be announced. No doubt the amendment to the Address-in-Reply hastened the Coalition, though it was hardly conceivable that the Country Party would have voted with Labour, but the electors who gave their, support to the Government and Country Party at the recent general election intended that they should collaborate in the Commonwealth’s government. That they have now done so is a matter for congratulation for both sides.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19341106.2.55
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 6
Word Count
318THE FEDERAL MINISTRY Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 6
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Manawatu Standard. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in