TWO COURSES OPEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 July 1939, Page 6

TWO COURSES OPEN

LONDON, June-19.

Mlt MENZIES'S TASK

WEAKNESS OF HIS PARTY

MAY FO&CE ELECTION

(From "The Post's* Representative.)

SYDNEY, June 17.

A political crisis will arise soon after the Federal Parliament assembles for the Budget session in August if, as appears likely, Sir Earle Page is still leader of the Country Party.

Taking advantage of the Country Party's critical attitude, the Opposition has obstructed the Government at every turn lately, and important defence measures have been delayed. Such a position on a Budget discussion i would rapidly become intolerable, and ' the Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, would have two alternatives—to warn the Country Party that he intended to throw on them the responsibility of combining with Labour to defeat the Government or to resign in favour of another leader who would be accept- i able to Sir Earle Page. Mr. Menzies i will definitely not follow the second course. If the Country Party takes the step of defeating him on the floor of the House .he will dissolve Parliament; •

Mr. Menzies, in a statement this! week, admitted that the rate of dealing j with Government business in Parlia-S ment had been slower than if the Gov- j 6rnmeht had a majority. He saidj that he made no charge against any party of obstruction, but he warned all sections of Parliament that the public would not view obstruction of any sort with favour. . Mr. Menzies, replying to a statement by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Curtin, that he had been playing the role of a "sorely tried mouse," said: "I may turn out to be a sorely-tried cat!" HINT OF APPEAL TO ELECTORS. Mr. Menzies said that Mr. Curtin and Sir Earle Page in statements on the activities of the Parliamentary session had assumed that the business had not been carried through as expeditiously as it might have been during the present session. "I am aware," added Mr. Menzies, that the members who support my Government are in a minority in the House of Representatives, and that the Government depends upon the co-operation of one or other of the parties mentioned for the efficient, conduct of Parliament. I have levelled no charge of obstruction against either party. The only comment I make is that the rate of progress has undoubtedly been slower than would have been the case if the Government party had been in the majority. This, I realise, is a serious matter, for during the session we have been discussing two. vitally important defence measures. The public desires above all that the defence plans should not be held up." This statement is interpreted in Canberra political circles as an indication that Mr. Menzies will not be/ prepared to submit indefinitely to the* harassing taatics;that have been : adopted in the last few weeks. It is believed that the statement, which was carefully phrased, was intended as a hint, both to recalcitrant members of the U.A.P. and to the Country Party, that the Government will precipitate an election if it cannot obtain more co-opera-[tion.

The Government hopes that developments/may occur during the recess beginning next week that may make this possible, but it is generally conceded that the hopes are based on slender ground. Sir Earle Page has apparently abandoned any intention he had of resigning the leadership of the Country Party, and the prospect of any move to depose him is dwindling. Government leaders realise that the humiliations to which the Ministry has had to submit have had adverse reactions, and ' that, if they permit the; situation to continue indefinitely, their prestige will be damaged, they may be force* therefore, to appeal to thej country Taefore the end of the year.j however inopportune they may consider the time, rather than risk the effect that delay may have on the confidence of the public.