The Country Party placed in the forefront of its programme a de-for a Federal convention which would provide for the cutialies ones, and in the northeast i of the ~bi tates into
of New South Wales the winning of two seats is held to have been justification of this policy. In other parts of Australia the Small States Movement, as it was called, was treated with indifference, and, indeed, hardly mentioned. Mr. Hughes promised a Bil] to create such a convention, provided that it dealt with all matters affecting the Constitution. The Labour Party, which is og unificationist as Russian Sovietism, is against any method other than that already provided by the Constitution.for dealing with this matter. It follows as a consequence that if the Country Party still wants its convention it must placate those who can help it be] to obtain the necessary legislation. Dr. Page, the Country leader, might think it well worth his while to join the Hughes Government, provided he were given a promise of the introduction of a Convention Bill at an early moment. He may be the more easily persuaded as the late elections saw the defeat of his predecessor as leader and of his deputy leader, and the only experienced politician in his party is favourable to such a course. Mr. Hughes is also pledged to certain alterations. in the Constitution, more especially that which has been interpreted by the High Court (appeal to the Privy Gouneil being refused) as bringing the State employees on inter-state services, such as railways, under the control of the Federal Court of Arbitration. Jpen this matter, which is considered vital, the Government and the Country Party are agreed, while the Opposition is strongly opposed. It seems, therefore, that sectional anti-Labour differences may find common ground for adjustment upon the Federal Convention proposals of the Country Party. The matter, so far, has not even been mentioned ju the press, but it seems certain that it has not been overlooked by so astute a politician and tactician as the Prime Minister.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.