CANBERRA CRISIS ENDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 December 1940, Page 6

CANBERRA CRISIS ENDED

LABOUR ACCEPTS COMPROMISE [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright| CANBERRA, sth December. The combined Labour Parties at a meeting this afternoon reconsidered the Budget compromise proposals and, in the light of Mr Menzies’ threat to treat these as final and the danger of another election in the event of their rejection, Mr Curtin announced tonight Labour’s acceptance of the compromise terms and his intention to withdraw his adverse amendment Thus the crisis is ended.

BY 23 VOTES TO 19 [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright J (Received 6th December, 9.5 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. By 23 votes to 19 the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party accepted the Advisory War Council’s proposals for a compromise. This constituted a complete reversal of the overnight attitude when it was resolved to try to obtain further concessions in keeping with the Labour policy. To-day’s meeting was stormy, revealing a sharp division between two strong factions, one of which is reported to be led by Dr. Evatt. Several members who overnight had opposed the compromise terms changed their views to-day, and the transfer of their votes was sufficient to swing the meeting behind Mr J. Curtin, the leader of the party, who recommended the acceptance of the War Council’s proposals.