FEDERAL PREMIER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 July 1941, Page 7

FEDERAL PREMIER.

REVOLT AGAINST LEADERSHIP. SYDNEY, July 18. “Tho cards appear to be stacked against Mr Menzies,” declared a prominent Govornme.nl member to-day discussing the revolt within the party, wliidi lias suddenly become more pronounced. It is now revealed that three United Australia Party members, Mr Hutchinson (Victoria), Sir Charles M arr, and Air McCall, of New South Wales, are definitely out for a change of leadership and are insisting that, a meeting ol the party be convened without delay. Sir Charles Alarr stated to-day: “I cannot see the Government living through the Budget debate. TJie weakness on the Government side is the fact that private members have been ignored. Our leader expects us to be a band of ‘yes men,’ and wo cannot take it.”

Mr Hutchinson has asked the Government Whip (Mr Guy) to summon a special party meeting to discuss the question of leadership. Mr Hutchinson believes that only Mr Fadden is capable of bringing about harmony and unity in the Fideral Administration. Mr McCall expresses a similar view.

Mr Menzies, who is at present in 'Sydney, replied to his critics and declared that, any attempt to put him and Mr Fadden at loggerheads would fail. “1 have no intention of resigning the leadership, but if the party desires me to stand down that is a matter for it. Air Fadden happens to be entirely loyal to me, and that loyalty is shared by the majority of my party.” The hunger strikers, Thomas and Atliff, were borne on stretchers from Yaralla Hospital this afternoon into a special ward to face a tribunal which began the hearing of their appeal against their detention under the National Security Act. Atliff appealed to te very ill and Thomas was weak j but cheerful after a. 16 days’ fast | during which ho had nothing more' than water and orange juice. The ap- : peal is being held in camera and will te continued to-morrow when it is expected a decision will te reached.