FEDERAL POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1929, Page 3

FEDERAL POLITICS

• 1 ♦ v*.» ■ RECONSTRUCTION OF CABINET./ STATED TO BE IN THE (AUnl'raliuu Press

CANBERRA, Aug. : 30;'.;

Much speculation prevails as to. thp political future. There are . many rumours that a reconstruction of thp Ministry is imminent, one suggestion being that Mr Bruoe will resign im,mediately and hand over the reins tp Mr Latham (Attorney-General). V Another is that the Arbitration Bill will be postponed for "a fortnight, tp allow of further consideration thereof; by Ministerialists, All these .rumours were made aftjpjf party meetings were held. It is understood that Mr'Bruce informed his followers that the recent exclusion of Hughes and- /Mann .from the partj T meetings did not. mean .their • expulsion from the party, but simply

that the Prime Minister felt in.view of these members’ adverse critici## and votes, it was unwise to allow them, m the meantime, to be in the confidence of the party to which they ha<J shown hostility. . . ■ One member later said he had' no hesitation in saying that Bruoe stobji higher than ever in the ‘Nationalists’ opinion, which is unlikely to view favourably his relinquishment of the lead-

ership. , ■ It is understood that certain of the alterations projected will .include . a concession to relieve country picture theatres. This, it is thought, will be done by the exemption of a certain portion of the gross receipts from. tax.