A NARROW SHAVE.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1280, 12 August 1922, Page 2

A NARROW SHAVE.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN A TIGHT PLACE.

MELBOURNE, August 4

By a narrow margin of tne vote the Federal Ministry was s'aved from defeat in the House of Representatives on the amendment to the redistribution of 'seats proposals moved by the leader of the Country Party (Dr. Earl Page). The effect of Dr Earle Page’s amendment was the adoption of a new method of obtaining the electoral quota, which would have saved the loss of a seat in Victoria.

Having approved of the redistribu tion of seats as recommended by the various electoral commissions, the Ministry regarded the matter as vital, and there was some excitemen f in the lobbies when it became known that the 'Ministerial whips had reported thlat there was a majority of two or possibly three in favour of Dr Earle Page’s amendmen f . Seve'ral members of the Nationalist Party were absent from Parliament, the Treasurer (Mr Bruce), Chairman of Committees (Mr Chanter), and others being at the Lord Mayor’s ball. It was the Labour Oppositior had decided not to regard the redistribution proposals as a party c,ues< : A on, and members were free to vote as they pleased. There was a general feeling,however, that the question having been declared vital by the Ministry, they would vote for Dr. Earle Page’s amendment, as it was stated at the pre-sessional meeting of the party that they would take the first opportunity to displace the Ministry. The members of the Country Party were, of course solidly in favour of the amendment, as it ha.s been realised for some time vhan an early election would save the par.y two seats in Victoria, which would disappear under the redistribution. There were many hurried consultation* between the Prime Minister (Mr Hughes) and Minis'erial Whips when the danger facing the Ministry whs realised, and it is understood that Mr Hughes, who was obviously annoyed at the turn of eventsi, declared that if the Ministry were defeated, there would be hn election within three weeks. The Nationalist members who were absent from Parliament were communicated wi'h, land . axi-cab's were sent to the Lodr Mayor’s ball to bring members who were there back to the House in time tor the division. Mr Bruce, Mr Chanter, and Mr Laird Smith short.'y af'erwards returned from the b ill in evening dress, and entered the chamber. The return of these members saved the Ministry.