POLITICAL DRAMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1939, Page 5

POLITICAL DRAMA

THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL CRISIS AIIACK UN MR MENZIES BY SIR E. PAGE. SOME DIVISIONS IN COUNTRY PARTY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Cooyright CANBERRA, April 20. A first-class Federal political crisis loomed today when Sir Earle Page, speaking .in the House of Representatives on the motion for the adjournment, attacked the newly elected leader of the United Australia Party, Mr R. G. Menzies. The substance'of Sir Earle Page’s attack was, first, that Mr Menzies had resigned from the Lyons Government at a time when Australia was spending untold millions in getting ready for war; secondly, that before resigning, he made a speech which was interpreted as an attack upon his own leader; and, thirdly, that, in 1915, he resigned from the military forces, and did not go overseas for war service.

Sir Earle Page emphasised that the change Of leadership of the' United Australia Party had wrought a change in the relationship between the two Government parties. Australia needed a leader in whom the utmost confidence could be placed. He must have a public record such as would inspire the people to the maximum national effort in a time of emergency. Sir Earle Page indicated. that, with Mr Menzies as leader and as possible Prime Minister! it would be quite impossible to continue the Cabinet relations hitherto existing between the two Government parties, and that was the advice he intended giving The Govern-or-General. OFFER TO MR BRUCE. Sir Earle Page also revealed that he had communicated with Mr Bruce, mentioning the possibility of an election. At the same time he offered his own Parliamentary seat to Mr Bruce if the latter would return to lead a new composite Government. Mr Bruce replied that he would only return to lead a non-party Government. During Sib Earle Page’s address the House was in an uproar, I Mr Menzies was cheered on rising to reply. He declared that the door to co-operation had been closed, bolted and barred, for reasons not only offensive and personal, but paltry. Mr Menzies continued: “I did not resign my commission from the militia. I completed my training under the universal system, and then, like many other young men in 1915, I had to answer the question, “Is it my duty to go to war?”

“The answer to this is hardly one for a public platform. It was really an intimate, personal and family affair, and for reasons that were compelling 1 was unable to join my two brothers in the infantry.” Mr Menzies closed his reply by saying: “In the discharge of my duties as a leader I hope to exhibit none of the miserable qualities suggested by the retiring Prime Minister in one of the. most remarkable attacks of my public career.” Mr Menzies was cheered in all parts "of the. House. ATTACK RESENTED. Sir Earle Page’s speech is reported to have caused deep resentment even among his own party supporters, some of whom intend to seek an explanation and may even demand his resignation from the leadership of the Country Party. ■ Dramatic developments followed the adjournment. Two Country Party members, Mr Fadden and Mr Corser, announced their resignation from their party owing to their objection to Sir Earle Page’s, remarks. They intend to oecome Independent Country Party members. The House adjourned till May 3. Sir Earle Page later tendered his resignation .as Prime Minister and Mr Menzies was invited to see the Gover-nor-General, Lord Gowrie. CALLED TO OFFICE MR MENZIES TO FORM MINISTRY. EXPECTED TO INCLUDE YOUNGER MEN. ’ CANBERRA, April 20. The Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, this afternoon granted a commission to Mr R. G. Menzies, recently elected leader of the United Australia Party, to form a Commonwealth Ministry following the resignation of Sir Earle Page as interim Prime Minister. It was officially stated that the Go-vernor-General had acted on the advice of Sir Earle Page, who afterward discussed the position with members of his party. Mr Menzies, who expects to leave for Melbourne tonight, will announce the new Cabinet on Monday, all the members of which will be drawn from the United Australia Party. It is; understood that he will strengthen it by the inclusion of some younger men. Last night the Country Party members reiterated their intention of refusing to take office in any Ministry formed by Mr Menzies, but they are not anxious for an election and are prepared to give discriminating support from the cross benches to legislation brought forward by him. The present state of parties in the House of Representatives is: Labour 29 United Australia Party, 26. Country Party 17. Thus the Country Party

holds the balance of power, but in no circumstances will Labour agree to form a Government on the promise of support from the Country Party. MR BRUCE’S POSITION REFUSAL OF INTERVIEWS ON STATEMENT. MAY RETURN TO AUSTRALIA NEXT WEEK. LOS ANGELES, April 19. Attempts to obtain comment from Mr Bruce upon the selection of Mr Menzies failed. The British Consulate, which is acting the part of clearing house here for Mr Bruce and his party, refused to allow journalists to make contact with Mr Bruce and even denied his presence in the city. One official informed newspapermen that Mr Bruce was leaving today for Washington. The Consul General. Mr Evans, told one news agency, "Mr Bruce is not in Los Angeles. I cannot say where he is,” but he intimated that Mr Bruce may make a statement tomorrow.

The Australian Association Press, however, is informed on excellent authority that advisers close to Mr Bruce feel that the choice of Mr Menzies may not be the ultimate solution of the situation and an appeal to the country may be necessary despite the avowed disinclination of all parties for an election at present. It is believed that Mr Bruce will probably wait here at least till the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, gives Mr Menzies a commission to form a Government. The Mariposa will return to Australia from San Francisco on April 25 and it is believed that Mr Bruce will sail with it. His advisers feel that Mr Menzies’s position is insecure.