FEDERAL POLITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 9

FEDERAL POLITICS

COUNTRY PARTY SPLIT VICTORIANS* ATTITUDE (Repeived July 22. 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 22 A crisis has been caused in the United Country Party by the insistence of the Central Council of the Victorian branch that it has no moral or legal right to endorse the candidature of persons who are not prepared to sign the new nomination form. Mr. Thomas Paterson and other retiring Federal members of the House of Representatives in Victoria declare that they will not sign the form and will contest their seats at the coming election as Country Party candidates, without Victoria's endorsement. Mr. Paterson says his refusal to sign the form is due to reluctance to surrender the right to exercise individual judgment on matters outside the party platform. Another condition to which exception is taken is that it is sought to apply to the Federal Ministry the conditions attached to the formation of a composite Ministry in Victoria, namely, consent of two-thirds of the members of the Victorian Central Council. It is impossible for one single State party to secure or prevent the formation of a Federal Ministry. A message from Sydney says the leader of the United Country Party, Dr. Earle Page, expresses regret that the Victorian Central Council is not ' able to reach agreement with the Victorian Federal members. The dispute should not be allowed to affect men who have inspired and Wfought for the Country Party's idea|s since it was formed. , The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, announces that Sir Harry Lawson, who is one of the retiring Victorian members of the Senate, will not seek reelection because of personal and business reasons. At Mr-. Lyons' request Sir Harry will continue to act as an Honorary Minister until after the Federal 'election. Formerly Sir Harry was Premier of Victoria.