FEDERAL POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 105, 19 January 1923, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS

CONFERENCE OF NATIONAL AND COUNTRY PARTIES

WHO WILL BE PRIME MINISTER?

IF COMPOSITE MINISTRY IS FORMED

The Federal Country Party has decided that its members will rot take office in any composite Ministry unless Dr. Earle Page is Prime Minister, but will be prepared to support a .'Cabinet' led by the* Federal Treasurer, Mr. Bruce. \ , BY TBLEGBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT. Melbourne, January 18 After the conference between th« National and Country Parties’ delegates it was ascertained that, although the latter would not consent to a Ministry under Mr. Hughes, they were Ifopcful of an agreement being reached for tho formation of a strong AntiLaibour Ministry under 'some other leader. . Tho conference meets again to-day. At a meeting of the Country Party it was decided that its delegates to the conference should not urge the granting of portfolios to the Country Party, but if members of the party u ere to take office in any composite Ministry, Dr. Earle Page must be tha Prime Minister. It was also decided that, should Dr. Eaylo Page not be Prime Minister, members of the party would not accept portfolios in another Ministry, but would be prepared to support a Cabinet led by the Federal Treasurer, Hon. S. M. Brure. —Press Assn

MR. HUGHES PREPARED TO ’ STAND DOWN

(Rec. January 19, 1.20 a m.)

Melbourne, January 18. The conference lietween the Nationalists and thp. Country Party seeking to arrange a working basis was resumed to-day, but ended without any decision being reached. It will resume again to-morrow. Tho crux cf the position is. the Nationalists’ desire for >a coalition, while the Country Party wants a, working agreement. It is stated that Mr. Hughes lias announced that he is prepared to stand down from ihe leadership in order to permit of the anti-Iyabour forces governing the country bub only on condition that a, coalition is formed. It is understood the Country Party is unlikely to agree to this. Mr. Bruce, the Feneral Treasurer, is prominently mentioned in connection with the leader-ship-—Press Assn.

QUEENSLAND SENATE VACANCIES FILLED BY NATIONALISTS Brisbane, January 18. Messrs. Reid and Thompson (Nationalistsi were elected to the third and fourth Senate seats, thus giving all four Queensland vacancies to Nationalists. —Press Assn.