SCULLIN MINISTRY LIVES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 81, 14 March 1931, Page 5

SCULLIN MINISTRY LIVES

FAILURE OF CENSURE MOTION LANG GROUP SAVES GOVERNMENT FROM DEFEAT LYONS AND FENTON VOTE WITH THE OPPOSITION T" CANBERRA, March 13. The Government survived the censure motion division by 38 votes to 33. Messrs Lyons, Fenton, Price, Gabb and Guy voted with the Opposition, Messrs Anstey, Ward, Beasley, Eldridge and Lazzarini (Lang supporters), and McGrath remaining on the Government side. . There were many bitter interjections during Mr J.'A. Lyons speech, which elicited a strong attack from the Attor-ney-General, Mr F. Brennan, who accused Mr Lyons of being a traitor to Labour principles and airing his own vieivs during Mr Scullin's absence, by which he had gained applause unfairly. .While the division was being taken, Opposition members chanted, "Saved by the Langites!"

MR. LYONS' SPEECH

CONFIDENCE FORFEITED. FINANCIAL SCHEME ATTACKED. . CANBERRA, March 13. Mr J. A. Lyons, speaking on the censure motion, said he had explored and studied, .every aspect of the situation, and could not support the Government inflation proposals which though they differed from the self-con-fessed downright dishonesty of Mr Lang's programme of repudiation, would lead by clearly converging roadways to the same lamentable goal. He said that the fiduciary issue was' essentially currency inflation, and the Government would not be contemplating it if it were in a position to' secure real money by approaching the investing public for a loan. The Government had not dared to do this because it knew it had forfeited the nation's conence when it had failed to honour the agreement to balance the Budget. Juggling with the currency would not restore public confidence or re-establish the country's solvency. Credit and real money were needed for this, and real money depend upon confidence and ciedit. The success of the November loan showed that all the real money needed by the Government was available if the people had faith in the will j and capacity of the Government to honour its .contracts to meet its engagements but not a penny of real money was available to the Government to because the people believed . its ! policy was leading to eventual national insolvency and ruin. The latest inflation proposals were likely to hasten the evil day. What was required to redeem credit and restore prosperity in Australia was that the nation be le-1 frankly and unfalteringly along the Straight course that honesty dictates. Mr J. E. Fentori, former acting-Prime Minister, also speaking in the debate, explained why he resigned. He sai.l he had protested against the re-appoint-ment of the Federal Treasurer, Mr E. G Theodore, whose position was the same to-dav as when ho resigned the Treasureship last year. Mr Fen ton said he felt he had a duty to perform. He had no sympathy with Mr Lang, but morb harm had "been Qone to the the countrv's credit at home and abroad by the inclusion of Mr Theodore in the Ministry'than by anything else he knew. He did not believe in revolutionary methods, but the temper of the people was nearing breaking point and many members might find themselves swept away, and perhaps not in a constitutional -i aimer. The House adjourned till next Tuesday, when the Fiduciary Currency Bill will be introduced by the Treasurer The fate of this measure already has been sealed and probably will load to the downfall of tlio Government and a double dissolution. Most Bitter Debate.

It is many years since the representatives have been responsible for such a bitter debate as that just closed. It is revealed that the Labour ranks are hopelessly split. Caucus secrets were divulged and personal recrimination indulged in in a most flagrant manner. Even the recent High Court appointments were a :übject of satirical reference by the warring elements of the divided caucus. Mr Lyons' speech was most impassioned. At one stage a former colleague interjected, "Why don't you resign?" To which Mr Lyons curtly replied, "I am prepared to do that if either Mr Scullin or Mr Theodore desire to oppose me. The newly-elected member for East Sydney, .Mr E. J. Ward, delivered his mai'den speech. He told the Government and Opposition what he thought of them, and reiterated his adherence to the Lang financial plan. Ho then moved that the question be now put, which was carried by 38 votes to 33. The House was divided on the motion of no-confidence, which was negatived by 38 votes to 33. Commenting on the result Mr J. G. Latham, Leader of the Federal Opposition, said that the Government survived in every circumstance of indignity. A Government which was prepared to accept such contemptuous support, having regard to its original majority of 19, could not command the respect of any section of the people.

MR BRUCE'S PLANS WILL CONTEST FORMER SEAT SYDNEY, March. 13. Mr S. M. Bruce, ex-prime Minister, who is : visiting Sydney, said he intended to contest his former seat, Flinders, at the next election. TWO NEW PARTIES LABOUR BREAKAWAY Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 11 a.m. J CANBERRA, This Day. The position now as a result of the censure motion, is that two breakaway

Labour parties have* been formed. Besides Mr. Beasley's party of seven another section of Labour members, five in number, led by Mr. Lyons, has broken away from the official party. Mr. Beasley s party is opposed to the Theodore financial plan and favours that enunciated by Mr. Lang, while the Lyons party is opposed to both. "Primarily, we are for Australia," said Mr. Lyons. Mr. Scullin, commenting on the result of the censure motion, said: "It turned out as expected. I was never in doubt about the numbers at any time, despite the frantic efforts to swing over supporters from the Government side."

FURTHER WAGES CUT CIVIL SERVICE PAY (Reed. 9.55 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. Faced with the necessity of lowering administration costs, the Federal Ministry decided, upon further reductions in Public Service wages and salaries. About 28,000 will, be affected, by the latest cut,