MR WATT RESIGNS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 11 June 1920, Page 4

MR WATT RESIGNS

MR HUGHES SURPRISED AT RESIGNATION. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)' (Australian / N.S. Cable Association) (Rec. 10,50 a.m.) • SYDNEY, This Day. Mr Hughes, interviewed at Wagga, disclaims all know ledge of Mr Watts’ resignation or reasons for it. The newspaper report fairly astounded : him, as Mr Watt had even boasted of. = the extended powers conferred .on •; him. Mr Hughes is awaiting official' advice. He added that the news Woulo. not affect his country holiday. Several Ministers interviewed, ex~ pressed surprise and astonishment. They are entirely in the dark. 7 „ Some quarters suggest friction be- . between Mr Hughes' and Mr Watt.' Others attribute his action to the re^ ; cent Federal salaries “grab,” over which there is much iieartbhrning throughout Victoria. ." ; Mr Watt’s decision accentuates the Government’s difficulty occasioned- bj’ the voiding of the Ballarat Section. REASON FOR RESIGNATION (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) MELBOURNE, June 10 ‘ In view of Mr Watt's resignation the opinion is current in political circles that a general election will be held shortly. It is now' announced that the resignation was due to a dif- ‘ ference with Mr Hughes, as to the ex- ' lent of executive powers, Mr Watt claiming a free hand, which tlie Ghbii- ;■ net was not prepared to concede. RESIGNATION GREATLY - REGRETTED. ; ? (By Electric • Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, June 9, -,, It is rumoured that there .is a ippssibility of Mr Watt abandoning politics for business. City circles greatly ’ regret Mr.Watts’ resignation. ‘ Bankers, financiers,- and business / men have bcerTgreatly impressed/with him both on this and at his previous -visit. They consider it would be a' serious - loss to Australia if a man of such outstanding abilities retires frptn politics. General disappointment is expressed that Mr Watt resigned before he had tfoe opportunity of pressing his views regarding Australia’s finances as lie intended to do. The Australian Press Association learns that a'' high Angio-Australian authority suggests that the Reason for the resignation will possfbly be found in a disagreement concerning the recovery of Australia's share of the German indemnity. Mr Watt assented to an arrangement, but his col-; . leagues dissented. Later, it is understood, a dispute arose over* the wool profits, Mr Hughes desiring Mr' Watt to secure modifications in an agreement reached by,Mr Watt with the ' - Imperial authorities. Another/ well-informed ■ Anglo-Aus-,, - tralian authority, while not prepared . to discredit the disagreement concerning thq indemnity, stated emphatically that the immediate cause of the disagreement between Mr. Watt and Mr. Hughes related to -wool profits, . Mir. . Watt brought to England a complete scheme sanctioned by ,’th© Commonwealth Cabinet for the collection and allocation of the' v wool profits in. -eon- ■ portion with the Commonwealth financial obligations in London. Mj/ Watt carried through successful negotiations with the Imperial Government, and informed Mr Hughes, who thereupon proposed modifications. Mr. Watt rafused to reopen negotiations; but Mr.' Hughes replied that Cabinet insisted. Mr- Watt then cabled that having ap- - parently forfeited the confidence of hi> colleagues, he felt compelled to resign. v