Melbourne, Oct. 28.
In the spring Australians apply themselves to the baffling problem of picking the winner of that great turf classic, the Melbourne Cup, which is to be run next week.
Tu the last month, however, at least equal interest has been shown in the selection of a successor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, for the impression has steadily gained ground that the leadership, or lack of leadership, of Mr. Lyons is becoming a national liability.
The wave of. speculation regarding his replacement has been whipped up by the Press, even Party papers that slavishly support the Government publicising the claims of possible candidates for office, but the revulsion of public opinion against the Prime Minister is essentially spontaneous and profound. The Press campaign is really an attempt to ensure that Mr. Lyons falls alone, and does not involve the Government Parties in his loss of popularity.
Public opinion has reacted most unfavourably to the Ministry's policy and procedure during the recent international crisis. During those anxious days, Mr. Lyons elected to play a lone hend, taking neither the people nor Parliament into his confidence. This may have been dcsirable, even unavoidable, but was distinctly unpopular.
Autocratic Methods Undesirable Australians expect national policy to be framed by Parliament. Autocratic methods are not acceptable to them in any circumstances, and Mr. Lyons with his amiable and kindly disposition is not, for all his politico" acumen, cast in the dictatorial mould During the crisis people became aware of many things which had hitherto passed almost unnoticed Quite suddenly they recalled that during the political stir caused by the resignation of the British Foreign Secretary some months ago Mr. Lyon: had kept Parliament In recess, and all formal discussion of national policy. They recalled that Mr. Lyons and certain of his Cabinet colleagues had spent a great deal of time. abroad last year while important legislation languished, and they remembered that the Prime Minister had broken his promise to the Opposition to afford an opportunity for full debate on policy before the last Imperial Conference, where it is believed that Mr. Lyons advanced a policy as the nation's without mandate from either Parliament or the. electorate.
National. Defence Policy With a universal demand for the strengthening of the national defence system, the Prime Minister summoned a conference of State Premiers to discuss collaboration in developing industries of a military importance. The conference ended in futility, the Premiers declaring that Mr. Lyons had no concrete plan to be discussed Press and public insistently demanded leadership of à more positive kind. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Stevens, has been urged to enter Federal politics, where his vigour and efficiency are needed. The 'Attorney-General, Mr, Menzies, is clearly pressing his claims as Mr. Lyons' successor, and it is believed that Mr, Lyons is disposed to support him.
The one man who could command confidence and who possesses the necessary qualities for leadership at the preset juncture is the Labour Leader, Mr. Curtin, but the Labour Party is in Opposition, and prefers to abide a reversal of public opinion complete enough to place it in office with a substantial majority.
Threat Eliminated Mr, Curtin's patience; and the jealousy that exists between Mr.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.