Through Other Eyes

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6746, 2 January 1932, Page 7

Through Other Eyes

DIVERSE OPINIONS OF DR. PAGE’S MOVE,

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—C opyright. Received Friday, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 1. A Queensland member of the House pf Representatives, Mr. Hunter (Country party), from Maranoa, attacks Mr. Lyons’ method of forming a Government and contrasts his actions with those of Mr. Bruce and Mr. MacDonald, both of whom consulted party leaders in similar circumstances. Mr. Hunter declares that Mr. Lyons is drunk with success and could see none outside the Nationalist following. West Australian primary producers declare that Dr. Earl Page is justified Jn refusing a portfolio under Mr. Lyons as the Country party increased its membership from 10 to 16 on a definite policy of tariff reform. In a matter of such vital importance to primary industries, Dr. Page was entitled to insist on a Customs portfolio for that party. Newcastle manufacturers, on the contrary, applaud Mr. Lyons’ refusal to concede Dr. Page’s demand, declaring any readjustmants of tariff should be in the national interest and not for the benefit of sectional rural communities. The Herald says Dr. Page’s refusal to join the Cabinet is regrettable as likely to produce an impression fiiat the United and Country parties are not so unanimous in an agreement on policy es appeared during the eletcions. The country should be grateful at Dr. Page’s fine gesture that a policy saving Australia is more important than the partition of tho sweets of office. DR. PAGE BACK IN SYDNEY. Received Friday, 11.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 1. Dr. Page, leader of the Country party, returned from Melbourne to Sydney to-day. He discussed the critical position over the new Cabinet and expressed the opinion that the Lyons Government will have a short life. He added that the absence of the Country party from the Ministry was due to the fact that the Chamber of Manufacturers had declared tho Country party black. So far as the Customs portfolio was concerned, he emphasised that there was no lack of willingness on the part of the Country party to lend its whole weight to tho Government when dealing with economic and financial problems.