PARTY CHANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1941, Page 5

PARTY CHANGES

MR W. M. HUGHES REPLACES MR R. G. MENZIES MR A. W. FADDEN LEADER OF OPPOSITION. CO-OPERATION IN SUPPORT OF WAR EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright I CANBERRA. October 8. Swift and dramatic party moves before the resumption of Parliament today resulted in the resignation of Mr 'Menzies as leader of the United Australia Party and the election of Mr Hughes and thereafter the unanimous appointment of Mr Fadden as Leader of the Opposition. Mr Hughes, who recently celebrated his seventy-seventh birthday, was chosen from two other opponents, Mr Spender and Air McDonald. In the course of a statement after his election, Mr Hughes said: “The people can expect from me as leader of my own party the frankest and fullest expression of opinion on all matters I conceive to be vital. I shall subordinate everything as in 1914-18 to winning the war. Mr Curtin can look to me for wholehearted support.” Mr Fadden made a similar statement. When the House of Representatives met today Mr Curtin announced that he had sent a cablegram to Mr Churchill assuring him of the Government’s determination to prosecute a vigorous war effort. The new Treasurer, Mr Chifley, told the House that the Labour Budget would be introduced in about three weeks’ time. In the meantime Parliament will adjourn.