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Wednesday, 11 March 1931

Senator DUNN (New South Wales) . - I should like to be able to take the Leader of the Opposition (Senator Pearce) into. my confidence as to what transpired at the meeting of the Senate Labour caucus this afternoon, and possibly I should do so if, in return, the right honorable gentleman consented to disclose the secrets of the caucus meeting of the Nationalist party which he attended this morning.

Senator Sir George Pearce - We were considering the best means to facilitate government business.

Senator DUNN - If the right honorable gentleman will place all his cards upon the table, I feel sure that the Leader of the Senate (Senator Barnes) will be prepared to follow suit. As to my position as Government Whip, all I need say is that I was appointed by the Labour party, of which the Leader of the Opposition himself was once a prominent member and, as such, took an active part in its caucus debates.

Senator Sir George Pearce - Under which king is the honorable senator now serving - Mr. Scullin or Mr. Lang?

Senator DUNN -I may be able to inform the right honorable gentleman on that point later. One never knows what may happen. It was apparent to all of us that the Leader of the Opposition was fishing for information this afternoon ; but his bait was not sufficiently attractive. As members of the Australian Labour party, SenatorRae and I are prepared to support that plan - whether it be the Lang or the Scullin plan - which, in our judgment, will best serve the people of Australia. We are proud of the fact that we took an active part in the by-election for East Sydney, and in the appeal then made to the people of Australia through the electors in that division.

Senator Sir George Pearce - But, who is the Government Whip now?

Senator DUNN - I was waiting to hear what the right honorable gentleman had to' say about the reception accorded to him only a few nights ago in the Paddington Town Hall.

Senator Sir George Pearce - It was very good,

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