THE QUEENSLAND SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1930, Page 8

THE QUEENSLAND SCANDAL.

The resignation of Mr. E. G. Theodore as Federal Treasurer of Australia was the only thing possible while charges against his personal integrity remain unanswered. Since federated Australia came into being a generation ago there has never been a suggestion of malpractice for personal gain on the part of any Minister, and the Labour Party has been as jealous of its honour in this respect as any other political organisation. The sympathy of political opponents will be with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, who is not a strong man physically. He is regarded as representing the saner portion of the Socialistic party he leads, and his first lieutenant, Mr. Theodore, the more "advanced” portion, to use the party’s euphemism for what often approaches real Communism, In the midst of his attempt to deal with a financial catastrophe that is unparallelled in the country’s history Mr. Scullin loses the aid of his colleague, and in circumstances that must give personal

pain of spirit in addition to the chagrin of tho party leader who sees his plans _go awry. To Mr. Theodore’s ability political opponents have paid frequent tribute, and by the Labour Party he was regarded, as its natural leader when Mr. Scullin felt like handing over the reins. The charges made against him were direct- and very serious. He has promised to refute them and maintains they are the outcome of political hostility. For the sake of Australia many will hope that the ex-Minister can substantiate his statement and that he will show that he possesses clean hands, however suspicious tho circumstances in which ho was involved may have appeared. Even his enemies will be .willing to afford him ample opportunity for proving his innocence, but it is well for all concerned that Mr. Theodore has realised that until this proof is forthcoming it cannot be considered in the public - interest that he should remain a Minister of the Crown.