UNITY NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 8

UNITY NEEDED

FEDERAL POLITICS MR. MENZIES' VIEW DESIGNATION DEMAND By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received Octoher 0, 7.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Oct. G The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. R. G. Menzies, speaking at the declaration of the poll in his electorate, said that if negotiations for a National Government failed it would be a calamity for Australia and a calamity to which he would resolutely refuse to contribute. "If wo do not secure a National Government," said Mr. Menzies, "this Government will continue." The Prime Minister added that in the House of Representatives' election the Government had received liberal support in every State except one. In spite of t|ie results in New South Wales, the Government actually made headway in fh'e States. Largest Group in Parliament Mr. Menzies claimed that the Government was still much the largest group in Parliament. It had won 16 of the 19 Senate seats and had Bwept the poll in five States out of six. The total votes cast for the Government exceeded the total cast for all the Labour parties by 120,000. The former High Court Judge, Dr. H. V. Evatt, K.C., who won the Barton seat for Labour, has created a stir by a press statement calling on Mr. Menzies to resign because of the latter's failure to secure an overwhelming mandate and the confidence of the people. Dr. Evatt outlined his view of the constitutional position arising from the present stalemate, and declared that it was contrary to constitutional practice for Mr. Menzies not only to attempt to cling to office but to attempt to assume the special jurisdiction of the King's representative to consult with various party leaders.

"Overhaul Necessary" Dr. Evatt claimed that Mr. Curtin was entitled to an opportunity of receiving the King's commission, and added that the danger was that the Prime Minister's manoeuvring might postpone that overhaul of the national war administration which was so necessary to the safety of the country. Just wiiat attitude Dr. Evatt will assume when the Labour showdown comes after the party conference with Mr. Menzies on Monday in Melbourne is the all-absorbing topic of political circles.

Dr. Evatt, fortified by his judicial attainments, gave a tremendous impetus to Labour's campaign in New South Wales, and to a lesser degree in other States. He is regarded as having strong claims to the Labour leadership, although more than once he has said that he has no intention of challenging Mr. Curtin's position. Labour Party Petition

The New South Wales official Labour Party executive decided to petition the Governor-General to dismiss the Prime Minister and call upon Mr. Curtin to form a Government. A noteworthy feature of the election was the heavy defeat of the former Premier of New South Wales, Mr. B. S. Stevens, by the retiring Labour candidate in the Lang electorate, contrasting with the slender victory of his former Ministerial colleague, Mr. E. C. Spooner, in the Robertson contest. It will be recalled that Mr. Spooner indirectly brought about the downfall of the Stevens Ministry.

The Federal Ministers, Mr. W. M. Hughes, Mr. P. C. Spender, Sir Frederick Stewart and Mr. A. C. Cameron, as well as the Prime Minister, all finished up with substantial majorities, but Mr. V. Thorby's defeat was not entirely unexpected in view of the many controversies with which he hag been associated.

NO SETTLEMENT AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE SYDNEY. Oct.. 5 The South Coast coal strike is still not settled, members of the compulsory conference having failed to agree. The strike, which affects 3000 men, is a result of the miners' objection to their new award.

SOLDIERS' BRAVERY

VAIN RESCUE EFFORTS AIRMEN DOWN IN SEA British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 4 The bravery of soldiers who unsuccessfully swam to the rescue of airmen forced down in the sea, and who were recommended to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces as worthy of mention for gallant ami distinguished service, is described in a War Office announcement. La nee-Sergeant W. Johnson and Corporal G. Goodwin, of the King's Regiment (Liverpool) swam out in an attempt to rescue survivors of an aeroplane upside down on water surrounded by blazing petrol and reached them before any boats arrived. They made every effort in the oily water to rescue the occupants, but in this duty they were unsuccessful. Four privates of the Border Regiment, R. M. Collins, J. T. Hodgson, J. Mitchell and H. W. Eldren, swam out in the darkness and found and rescued a Royal Air Force sergeant who came down by parachute and was in diffi-. culties.