FEDERAL POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 11

FEDERAL POLITICS

SPECULATION AS TO THE FUTURE

NATIONALISTS’ OPINION OF MR. BRUCE

Canberra, August 30.

Much speculation prevails as'to the political future. Many rumours are abroad that a reconstruction of the Ministry is imminent, one suggestion being that Mr. Bruce will resign immediately and hand over the reins to Mr. Latham, Attorney-General. Another is that the Arbitration Bill will be postponed for a fortnight to allow a further consideration of it by Ministerialists. All these rumours are denied.

After the party meetings were held, it is understood that Mr. Bruce informed his followers that the recent exclusion of Mr. W. M. Hughes and Mr. Mann from a party meeting did not mean their expulsion from the party, but simply that the Prime Minister felt that in view of these members! adverse criticisms and votes, it was unwise to allow them in the meantime to be in the confidence of the party, to which they had shown hostility. One member later said that he had no hesitation in saying that Mr. Bruce stood higher than ever in the Nationalists’ opinion, which is unlikely to view favourably his relinquishment of the leadership. It is understood that certain Budget alterations are projected, and will include a concession to relieve country picture theatres. This will be done by exempting a certain portion of the gross receipts from tax.