MENZIES MEETS PARTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 177, 29 July 1941, Page 7

MENZIES MEETS PARTY

Strong Criticism By Section i Of Members "THINGS STILL. IN THE AIR" Rec. noon. CANBERRA, this day. A meeting of the United Australia party, which discussed the leadership for five hours yesterday, resulted in an overwhelming majority supporting Mr. Menzies' leadership and desiring no change. The party whip, Mr. Guy, in making this announcement, said no motion was submitted. Thirteen members out of a possible total of 40 had failed to attend. The "Sydney Morning Herald" political correspondent says that at yesterday's meeting of the U.A.P., a section of the members of the party strongly criticised Mr. Menzies and the opinion was expressed at the end of the meeting—despite Mr. Menzies' known satisfaction at the outcome —that things had still been left in the air. Mr. Menzies announced after the meeting that he intended to visit South Australia. West Australia, Queensland and, if possible before Parliament resumes on August 27, Tasmania. The Prime Minister said his tour had no political significance. The "Daily Telegraph" says that despite Mr. Menzies' denial, observers at Canberra attach great importance to the announcement, believing that it means either that Mr. Menzies' advisers have impressed on him that he should do everything possible to establish better public contact, or that, having emerged from the U.A.P. meeting without serious loss of public prestige, Mr. Menzies intends to ignore the rebels in his own party and continue preparing for a general eledtion. . I Close observers lean toward the first reason. j