HOLDING OFFICE
MENZIES GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE DEFIED REFUSAL TO RESIGN ' (Rec. 1 a.m.) CANBERRA, Aug. 27. Events moved swiftly towards a climax to-day when the Menzies Government, defying Labour’s challenge, refused to resign and decided to face Parliament. Mr Menzies sent a letter to Mr Curtin conveying the Ministry’s decision and expressing regret that the Labour Party had seen fit to reject the overtures for a national Government.
The Labour Party met immediately to consider their next step. What this is. likely .to be has so far not been disclosed. The House of Representatives met this afternoon and secured the passage of the Supply Bill, enabling the Government to reach the haven of recess to-night. Speculation this afternoon was rife whether Labour would launch a no-confidence motion immediately or defer the vital attack until the Budget session at the’ end of September. Prominent Labour members said the replacement of Mr Menzies was not the issue; replacement of the Government was. the paramount issue. Several Ministers, including Mr Spender, shared the view that it was unthinkable that the Government should allow itself to be bluffed out of office by an Opposition threat. Mr Spender added that while the present crisis persisted it was useless to discuss. the question of leadership. Mr Menzies’s letter to Mr Curtin ■stated that no good purpose would be served by dealing in detail with the various statements contained in Mr Curtin’s letter. Almost every paragraph, Mr Menzies added, was controversial and he was , not prepared to carry on the controversy by correspondence. He reminded Mr Curtin that the United Australia Party numbered 25, not 24, as stated by Mr Curtin, and the total Government strength, was 37 against 36 Labour. Obviously greater political stability could be. . procured by ;37 than 36. “ Therefore it is not proposed to accentuate the political uncertainties from which this unhappy country is suffering by handing over the Government to the Labour Party.” ; *
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24697, 28 August 1941, Page 7
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320HOLDING OFFICE Otago Daily Times, Issue 24697, 28 August 1941, Page 7
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