WHILE ROME BURNS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24698, 29 August 1941, Page 6

WHILE ROME BURNS

POLITICAL WRANGLING POSITION IN AUSTRALIA (Rec. 1 a.m.) CANBERRA, Aug. 28. After three hours and a-half of vigorous debate to-day the Labour Party decided not to move an immediate no-confidence motion against the Menzies Government, but to defer the vital vote until the Budget. It is understood that nearly half the party tried to urge Mr Curtin to strike against the Government at once. Mr Curtin, who became suddenly ill during the meeting, but recovered after treatment,, announced that Labour stood solidly behind Tuesday’s declaration that the Government should resign and make way for a Labour Administration,. Government party members have been asked not to leave Canberra to-night, but to hold themselves in readiness for an ugent vital meeting, which it is believed will review Mr Menzies’s leadership. Labour has agreed to Parliament rising today for a recess for three weeks, during which the Opposition hopes that both the international and local political situations will be sufficiently clarified to enable Labour to take office.

It was ascertained during the Labour meeting to-day that important steps were being taken by President Roosevelt and it would be extremely unwise to intensify the political turmoil while the peace of the Pacific was in the balance.