IMPASSE STILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 7

IMPASSE STILL.

FEDERAL POLITICS,

PREMIER’S QUANDARY 7

(Rec. 9.0 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. 8The conference of Federal party leaders called by the Prime Minister (Mr It. G. Alenzies) to discuss the political situation did not eventuate, though the four leaders concerned — Mr Alenzies, Air Cameron (.Country Party), Air Curtin (Labour Opposition), and Air Beasley (non-Commuu-ist Labour.) —were in Alelbourne. Air Menzies conferred separately with Air Curtin, the leader of the Federal Labour Party, then with Air Beasley, the leader of the group of four New South Wales members calling themselves the non-Communist Labour Party.' Statements issued by Messrs Alenzies, Curtin, and Beasley later threw no light on the political impasse, but it is ljelioved Mr Curtin firmly rejected the National Government proposal, declaring Air Alenzies should resign, allowing the GovernorGeneral to call on Air Curtin to form a Government. Week-end developments . suggested the possibility of Labour being willing to take office with the support of the small group of Independent non-Lab-our members, giving a majority of three or four in the House of Representatives. The only definite outcome of to-day s proceedings was the decision by all loaders to call meetings of their parties at Canberra next week. The failure to roach an agreement on the formation of a National Government may cause Air Alenzies to decide to meet the House and face a no-confidence motion moved by Mr Curtin. The Independents, upon whom any Government must depend, would then be forced to declare their hand. The Prime Alinistcr, in his statement, 'said they had a frank discussion on the war and international developments. He informed Mr Curtin of his desire of, and the necessity for, tho formation of a National Alinistry or all-party Administration on an equitable basis. Mr Curtin’s reply was that v as an important principle of Labour policy was involved lie was bound to submit tiie matter to tho Federal Parliamentary Labour Party, which he is doing probably next Monday.