DIVERSE VIEW

Southland Times, Issue 22729, 4 November 1935, Page 7

DIVERSE VIEW

SANCTIONS SCHEME SENSATION IN FEDERAL POLITICS MR HUGHES ASKED FOR RESIGNATION (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Sydney, November 3. A sensation in Federal political circles was caused by the announcement today that the Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, had sent a telegram to Mr W. M. Hughes, Minister of Health, asking for his resignation from the Ministry owing to his attitude towards sanctions contained in his book just published entitled, “Australia and The War Today.” Ministers take the view that his sentiments are entirely at 'variance with those of the Government. One passage of the book declares that economic sanctions will provoke Italy’s resistance which means war, and only France and Russia will support Britain in that event. Mr Lyons directing attention to other references in the book refers to page 95, where it said: “Economic sanctions are therefore

either an empty gesture or war.” This, Mr Lyons, asserts, is diametrically opposed to the Government’s policy. "In these circumstances,” adds Mr Lyons’ telegram, “your position in Cabinet appears untenable. I therefore regretfully require your resignation since I cannot have a divided front on this vital matter.”

Mr Hughes, hearing that Cabinet was discussing his position, issued a statement making it clear that he does not oppose sanctions, but in fact supports the principle of collective action against an offending member of the League. He was also prepared to support the Governmefit in imposing sanctions against Italy. “What I do contend is that every sanction must be supported by means adequate to make its imposition effective. Particularly is this the case with economic sanctions which require force in the background to make the blockade or embargo effective.”

Mr J. Curtin, Leader of the Federal Labour Party, claims that Mr Hughes’s attitude, according to his book, agrees with Labour’s that sanctions against Italy,, in the absence of international solidarity, is a danger rather than a service to world peace.