FEDERAL POLLS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 12

FEDERAL POLLS

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE PROFOSAL BY LABOUR AVOIDING A DEADLOCK (United Pres* A««n.—■El***’. Tel. CopyrltrHt' CANBERRA, Oct. lo The problem of which political party will have the future government of Australia was advanced another stage to-day when the Federa. Labour Party decided to appoint a committee to initiate discussions with authorised representatives ol all other parties and also with the two Independents. These discussions will have the object of securing the other parties co-operation in strengthening the war effort and ensuring that Parliament can carry on effectively “in the present grave and perilous situation.” This decision was communicated to the representatives of the other parties, which met later in the day. Tne precise number to constitute the Labour committee will be decided when replies are received from the other parties. The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies. had a conference this afternoon with members of the Cabinet after the receipt of the Labour Party’s invitation, which, in the opinion of Government supporters, is a shrewd move to take the initiative from Mr Menzies. Country Party Leadership Another interesting sidelight on the political deadlock was some manoeuvring for leadership of the Country Party, regarding which members of the party are at loggerheads. Victorian members, who are dissatisfied with Mr A. G. Cameron, nominated the Minister of External Affairs, Mr J. A. McEwan. against him, resulting in Mr Cameron's refusing nomination and angrily quitting the meeting. Sir Earle Page immediately came into the picture and was nominated against Mr McEwan, a ballot resulting in eight votes being cast for each. The meeting was adjourned with the object of trying to induce Mr Cameron to return to record his vote and settle the question of leadership. No previous meeting of the paity has ever been so acrimoiiious. Mr Menzies was re-elected unopposed as leader of the United Australia Party at its meeting. Discuss National Government The Prime Minister to-night sent a letter to Mr J. Curtin. Leader of the Labour Party, in which Mr Menzies said: “I am treating your letter of to-day conveying your party’s decision as, in substance, a reply to the proposal 1 made in Melbourne recently for the formation of a National Government. I suppose I am right in assuming that the nature of the proposal adopted by your party indicates that discussions between party managers might usefully take place.” Acting on that assumption, Mr Menzies has extended an invitation to Mr Curtin and two colleagues to attend a conference with representatives of the Government parties at 11 a.m. to-morrow. Mr Menzies informed Mr Curtin that he was sending a similar invitation to the leader of the “Non-Com-munist” Labour group, Mr J. A. Beasley.