FEDERAL POLITICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1941, Page 4

FEDERAL POLITICS

CARDS STACKED AGAINST MENZIES ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT MEMBER. CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP SUGGESTED. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, July 18. “The cards appear to be stacked against 'Mr Menzies,” declared a prominent . Government member today, discussing the revolt within the Prime Minister’s party which has suddenly become more pronounced. It is now revealed that three members of the United Australia Party, Mr Hutchinson, Victoria, and Sir Charles Marr, and Mr McCall, New South Wales, are definitely out for a change in leadership and are insisting that a meeting of the party should be convened without delay. Sir Charles'Marr stated today: "I cannot see the Government " living through the Budget debate. The weakness on the Government side is the fact that private members have been ignored. Our leader expects us to be a band of yes-men, and we cannot take it.” Mr Hutchinson has asked the Government Whip, Mr Guy, to summon a special meeting of the party to discuss the question of leadership. Mr Hutchinson stated the opinion that only Mr Fadden (Treasure and recent Acting-Prime Minister) is capable of bringing about harmony and unity in the Federal Administration. Mr McCall expressed a similar view. Mr Menzies, who is at present in Sydney, replied to his critics and declared that any attempt to put him and Mr Fadden at loggerheads would fail. “I have no intention of resigning the leadership, but if the party desires me to stand down that is a matter for them,” he said. ‘‘Mr Fadden happens to be entirely loyal to me, and that loyalty is shared by the majority of my party.”