IGNORANCE OF MR. HUGHES

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 138, 11 June 1920, Page 7

IGNORANCE OF MR. HUGHES

FLAT DENIAL BY MR. WATT

"HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT."

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 11, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 10th June.

Replying to the press messages from Melbourne, reporting that Mr. Hughes denies knowledge of Mr. Watt's resignation, Mr. Watt states : "Mr. Hughes knows all the circumstances of the resignation. Frequent cables passed between ■;•.« during the last fortnight. Mr. Hughes recei/ed my cabled resignation on the . 24th, before it was announced to the press." [A message from Sydney yesterday stated : Mr. W. M. Hughes, interviewed at Wagga, disclaims all knowledge of Mr. Watt's resignation, or the reasons for it. The newspaper report fairly flabbergasted him, as .Mr. Watfc^ had even boastled of the extended' powers conferred on him. Mr. Hughes is awaiting official advice. He added that the newb would not affect his country holiday. Several Ministers who were interviewed expressed surprise and astonishment at the report, and are entirely in the dark. In some quarters it is. suggested, that there is friction between.Mr. Hughes and] Mr. Watt. Qthers attribute the action to the recent Federal salaries grab, over which there is much henrtl-bnrning throughout Victoria. Mr. Watt's decision accentuates the Government's 'difficulty occasioned by the voiding of the Ballarat election.]