MR. BRUCE MAY RESIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1929, Page 5

MR. BRUCE MAY RESIGN

CANBERRA REPORTS

MR. HUGHES’S POSITION

(Australian Press Assn.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Received August 30, 3 p.m.) CANBERRA, August 30. Much speculation prevails as to the political future. There are many rumours that the 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 further consideration thereof by the Ministerialists.

All these rumours were forthcoming aftei- the party meetings were held. It is understood that Mr. Bruce informed, his followers that the recent exclusion of Mr. Hughes and Mr. Mann from the party meetings did not mean their expulsion from the party, but simply that the Prime Minister felt, in view of these members’ adverse crticisms and votes, it was unwise to allow them in the meantime to be in confidence of the Party to which they had shown hostility. One member, later, said 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 leadership. It is understood that certain' of thealterations projected will include a concession to relieve country picture theatres. This, it is thought, will be done by the exemption of a portion of the gross receipts from the tax.