FEDERAL POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15270, 21 June 1923, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

SALE OF WOOLLEN MILLS. MINIBTERS' MOTIVES IMPUGNED. PREMIERS SPIRITED REPLY. United Press Association. Received June 21, 11.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 21. In the House of Representatives, when Mr Scullfa Launched his attack on the Government, he made the sensational statement that the Melbourne warehousemen were behind the ernment and were responsible for the doom of the woollen mills. He imputed the most sinister motives to Ministers, and oiaimed that facts brought forward during the debate had revealed a state of affairs rivalling the so-called wireless scandal. After Hon. S. M. Bruce had indignantly replied and expressed resentment at the sinister motives imputed to Ministers, the motion' was defeated by-34 votes to 26. The voting was on strictly party lines. The burden Of Mr Scullin's attack was that the Government had been ■influenced by Flinders Street Interests in selling the Woollen mills. . He declared that the money masters hated •the mill because it was taking their profits, and because it exposed their profiteering. He said a concern worth £300,000 had been sold for £150,000, and alleged that the Returned Soldiers' Association had offered security for £57,000, but this Was turned down in favour of ' those offering a • much smaller security. He referred to Ministers' motives in connection with the various phases of the transaction, and declared if Labour were returned to power'they would be justified in resuming the mill for the people on the same basis as it was sold.

During the debate, the Labourites referred to "hidden hands conspiracy," and the power of moriey operating behind the Ministry. Mr Bruce, in replying, stated that the Government had twice called for world-wide tenders for the mill, and had accepted the best price offering. He declared that Mr Scullin's estimates were made in the boom years of the woollen trade, and would not stand now. in regard to the soldiers' offer ■the demand in that direction had greatly fallen off and the mill's usefulness in supplying the Government was ended. The real issue between the Ministry and the Opposition was that the Ministry was opposed to Government trading enterprises, and the Opposition advocated them. Mr Bruce warmly declared that there was not a scintilla of truth in the • charges against the good faith of the Ministry; they had done everything in the full light of day, and he concluded they had stood three attacks by Mr Charlton with big artillery, Mr Anstey with light artillery, but the worst had fallen to Mr Scullins for he had produced poison gas.