AUSTRALIAN CRISIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN CRISIS.

STILL AT A DEADLOCK. FEDERAL AND STATE POLICIES., / MOMENTOUS DECISIONS PENDING. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 18, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 18. The Federal and State Labour Parties are still at a deadlock over the East Sydney by-election, the conference last night ending after a bitter discussion without a decision, but it is understood the State faction is determined to conduct the campaign on the Lang plan, with Mr. J. A. Beasley, Federal assistant-Minister, as the opening speaker to-night, instead of the Prime Minister. Political circles begin to feel, that the chaos in the Federal arena can only be cleared by a general election. A caucus of the Federal Labour Parliamentary Party at Canberra today is expected to reach a momentous decision relative to the rival Theodora and Lang financial policies. LABOUR IN CONFERENCES.. THE ONLY WAY OUT. SECRETARY CROSS’ OPINION. SUPPORT FOR GENERAL STRIKE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 18, 10.15 a.m.j SYDNEY, Feb. 17. At a meeting of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the secretary Mr. Cross, on dealing with unemployment, said the political machine was inadequate to pope with the situation. The only means to secure a satisfactory result would be a declaration by the Federal Government of a national emergency, enabling the Arbitration Court’s decisions to be overridden to workers that could obtain whatever industrial conditions they desired. At to-day’s session a motion for a general strike is expected to be submitted, which it is believed will have strong support though it is doubtful if it will be carried.