FEDERAL POLITICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 244, 16 October 1940, Page 6

FEDERAL POLITICS

LABOUR PARTY MOVE QUESTION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT | Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright] Received Oct. 16. 1.5 a.m. CANBERRA, Oct. 15. The problem ot which political party will have the future Government of Australia, was advanced another stage to-ciiy when the Federal Labour Party decided to appoint a l committee to initiate discussions with 1 authorised representatives of all other parties, also with two independents, j Messrs. Cols and Wilson, “with a ' view to securing their co-operation in strengthening the war effort and en- 1 sv.iing that Parliament can carry on effectively in the present grave and perilous situation.” The foregoing decision was com municated to representatives of the 1 other parties which met later in the 1 day. ihe precise number to constitute i tne Labour committee will be decided when replies are received from the other parties. The Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, hart a conference this afternoon with numbers of liu Cabinet after receipt of Labour's invitation which, in the opinion of Government supporters, is a shrewd move :o take the initiative from Mr. Menzies. Another interesting sidelight in the political deadlock was the manoeuvring for leadership of the Country Party, on which the party is at loggerheads. The Victorians are dissatisfied with Mr. Cameron, and have nominated the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. McEwsn, against him, resulting in Mr. Cameron refusing nomination and angrily quitting the meeting. Sir Earle Page immediately : came into the picture and was nomi- ■ nated against Mr. McEwan, the ballot resulting in 8 votes each. The meeting adjourned with the object of trying to induce Mr. Cameron to return and record his vote and settle the leadership. No previous meeting of the party was ever so acrimonious. Mr. Menzies was re-eiected 'inopposed as leader of the United Australia Party at its meeting. The Prime Minister to-night sent a letter to Mr. Curtin wherein he said: “I am treating your letter of to-day conveying your party's decision as in substance a reply to the proposal I made in Melbourne recently for the formation of a National Government, f suppose 1 am right in assuming that the nature of the proposal adopted by your party indicates that discussions; between the party managers might usefully take place." Acting on that assumption. Mr. Menzies extended an invitation to Mr. Curtin and two u.I his colleagues to attend a conference with representatives of the Govern-; ment parties at 11 a.m. to-morrow. | i Mr. Menzies informed Mr. Curtin , I that he is seding a similar invitation to the Leader of Non-Communist La- I ' I hour, Mr. Beasley.