FEDERAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1934, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. COUNTRY PARTY ATTITUDE. Although it is practically certain that there will not be a general election in Australia—that is, in the Federal sphfce —until next year, activity in all States z is increasing nmong all parties, and the .feeling can only be described as tense, states the Sydney correspondent of the Wellington Post Spectacular events in the Federal Parliament are predicted for the end of the present year, and were it not for the visit of Prince George the general election might have been fixed at a date in December. The Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, has always been of the opinion that should be - closer co-operation between his party and the Country Party and because this has been lacking he has blamed the Country Party. The Country Party, in turn, has resented his insinuations, and a crisis was reached last week when the United Australia Party decided, to nominate one of its own members to contest a country seat —Calare, in New South ; Wales—against the sitting Country Party man.

In political circles this is interpreted as being in retaliation for the attitude adopted by the Country Party during the present Ministry’s term of office. In most quarters it is believed thjt the door to unity has been closed, but there is a possibility that the force of public opinion will be exercised to compose the difficulties and the differences. Both parties regard extreme Labour, which. is going to make a tremendous bid for power, as a common enemy, and it is strange that they should fight one another in a way that will make it easier for the third party to slip into of- < fice. However, tariff policy is a vital matter which keeps the two*sections > apart and while the Country Party favours ' something- like free trade and the Ministry protection, there would, seem little hope, for. a fusion.

TARIFF DIFFICULTIES. According to the Prime Minister, he has invited the Country Party to join the Ministry. The Leader of the’Coun-/ try Party says, in effect, that that might be so, but that he was refused a conference on policy. Dr.- Page say's that had the Country Party ■ joined the Min- . i istry without that conference all the members would have had to resign a few days later because they would have been unable to endorse the tariff sched- • ule submitted by the. Ministry. 1 Mr. Lyons says that the Country Party. ha« been more or less obstructive ever since, and this opinion is endorsed by many sections of his party. Mr. Lyons ha* expressed willingness to make further ’ overtures, but now there are certain sections which would not welcome his. _ It is asserted by many Government members that at the last general election a number of seats were allowed to go by' default to the Country Party. In view of the overwhelming victory of the Government some of those seats, it is urged, could have been won by its candidates against the Country Party. In the present mood of United Australia Party organisations, candidates will be run in almost all electorates now repre- ; sented by Country Party members. It cannot be said that composite Governments have been a success in Australia, particularly these formed since the war, and many United Australia members would prefer to retain their absolute independence. They have had a taste, of independence, and they are not anxious to go back to the system that ruled while the .Bruce-Page Gov- ... ernment was in power. .. .

LABOUR ACTIVITY. In the circumstances it is nbt rurpffeing that the Labour Party should have decided to almost desperate steps to secure unity within the Labour .ranks. Labour recognises that it will have a great chance if its two main opponents are at one another’! throats during a particularly strenuous campaign. The unity move initiated by Victoria has been checked, it is true, but the last has not been heard of that New South Wales has sent Lang followers to all the other States to see what can be done, and some observers believe that at the psychological moment the Premier of Queensland. Mr. ForgsU Smith, may make a dramatic appearance as peacemaker and as a *.eader. The outstanding fact is that Mr. Scullin’s supporters will not sacrifice Mr. Scullin. for either Mr. Lang or Mr. Forgan Smith, and this certainly complicates the position.

The Federal Parliament will not it until June, and the session will last until just before Prince George arrives. The session will present the Lyons Government with an opportunity for a little “window-dressing,” and it is likely that full advantage will be taken of this, with the idea of impressing the electors. Apart from anything •it may do r in the future, it is generally, conceded that the Ministry has an excellent record. It has certainly restored the finances of Australia and been responsible for a measure of confidence that has been to the Commonwealth’s good. All the same, it is .unlikely that it will be returned at the next election with the same substantial majority it was given at the last The visit of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, now High Commissioner, will be watched with great in-' terest, but, as he has announced that he will be aloof from politics, it is doubtful whether he will exercise much influence in that direction. At the same time it would not be surprising if some efforts were made to retain his service* in Australia instead of in London. •>. $