NEW LEADER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 91, 19 April 1939, Page 9

NEW LEADER

MR. R. G> MENZIES ELECTED

UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY

GOVERNMENT MAY BE RECONSTRUCTED

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

CANBERRA, April 17.

Mr. R. G. Menzies, former Attorney-General, was elected leader of the United Australia Party at a full meeting today,. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Minister of External Affairs, was runner-up.

Mr. Menzies will meet Sir Earle Page, the Acting-Prime Minister, tonight to discuss the future of the Government, which will possibly be reconstructed.

Four candidates offered themselves for election at the meeting. In addition to Mr. Hughes, Mr. Menzies, and Mr. R. G. Casey, the treasurer, a surprise nomination was that of the former Minister of Customs, Mr. T. W. White. '

The High Commissioner in London, Mr. S. M. Bruce, who is now in Los Angeles, was not nominated, a3 it was felt that an invitation for him to stand would have to be practically unanimous to induce him to assent.

Sir Earle Page said that he had had a radio-telephone conversation with Mr. Eruce today and that Mr. Bruce declared he had no desire to re-enter parly politics in Australia, but would,

if required, return to lead a national Government under which he would have the right to select Ministers from any party, including Labour.

This offer has been deferred for the present.

It is reported that Mr. Menzies gained the victory over Mr. Hughes by only three or four votes. The actual figures were not disclosed.

Mr. Menzies had a bad fall on the steps of Parliament Buildings while proceeding to a party meeting today. He chipped his elbow, which required hospital treatment, and appeared at the party meeting in the afternoon with his arm in a sling.