FRIENDLY ANTAGONISTS

Northern Advocate, 8 November 1932, Page 10

FRIENDLY ANTAGONISTS

“JOE” AND ".ini” AUSTRALIA AND OTTAWA. POLITICAL LEADERS’ DEBATE. SYDNEY, October 28. One of 1.1 io most interesting political events of tin* week was the oratorical contest between the Federal Loader ot the Opposition, Mr Seuliin, and the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, at the Chamber of Manufacturers' annual dinner. Belli had to make the journey from Canberra to be present, and, quite characteristically, they came down in the same motor-car.

A I y Lyons made out a fairly good case for the agreement, pointing to the many substantial advantages that Australia had seemed at Ottawa, and insisting that under the tariff arrangements there made our industries would always have a good “competitive” edmnee of holding their own in oar markets. But Mr Seullin is not satisfied with this ‘‘ competitive ” tenure'.' He holds that there are some industries, primary as well as secondary, for which our country is preeminently adapted, and that in regard to these she should have complete control of her markets, and he does not sec how this can bo secured without really restrictive protection. He holds that, as Article 12 of the agree mont places the Tariff Board in autli ority

ority over Parliament, and Articles 9 and 10 limit, protective duties of a “reasonable" level in the interests of the'British producer, Australia, if she accepts the agreement, will not only surrender her claim to fiscal autonomy but will provide special facilities for British producers to oust Australians from their own markets. Good Feeling Displayed. No doubt the" leader of-the Australian Labour Party put his ease ably, and iu addressing the Chamber of Manufactures he was speaking in a congenial atmosphere. But it may bo doubted whether public expositions of this kind ever convince doubters, and iu all probability the supporters of Mr Senlliu and Mr Lyons had all made up their respective minds about the matter before the speeches began. But it was a very successful debate, and not the least creditable feature of the discussion was the good feeling displayed on all sides. After the debate w r as over, and the •two champions had to get back to Ihe Federal capital, somebody rather unguardedly asked Mr Scullin, “Arc you going back with “him?” “Certainly,” wa§ the answer,, a little indignantly; “why not?” And so “Jim” and “doe” went off, as they had come, in the same motor car — 'still friends and still able to respect each other in spit of the differences that now divide them. When men have fought side by side in a common cause, as Lyons and '.Scullin have fought, for Labour, it takes more than ordinary political, antagonism to estrange them. “Cobbers All Through.”

Australian Labour in the Federal sphere has been fortunate, even in recent years, in the character of its leaders. Last week Mr Fenton, after considering the possible effects of -the Ottawa Agreement, decided that, he could not reconcile its acceptance with his Protectionist principles, and he therefore resigned from the Ministry. The Prime Minister paid a high tribute to Mr Fenton's loyalty and his strong sense of duty, and his praise was endorsed by Mr Gullett, who referred to the “very rare’’'moral courage which Mr Fenton had displayed in siding with Mr Lyons against the extremists during Mr Scullin’s absence. During the week the president of the Australian Industries Protection League complimented Mr Fenton publicly on the very honourable stand he had taken .when he abandoned his oldest friends and allies for the. sake of his convictions.

I No doubt these appreciative comments have afforded some consolation to Air Fenton, but when one of his colleagues told him that Air Lyons, speaking of his resignation, “made no attempt to disguise his sense of deep personal loss,” Fenton’s answer was characteristic of the man. “Yes, 1 know,” he said, “we wore cobbers all through.” There is real pathos in that, and Hie hoiHfsty and sincerity of feeling and purpose that Lyons and Scullin and Fenton have displayed throughout this difficult crisis says much for them and for the men in different ways have loyally followed their lending. ’ I