Angry Scene in Federal House When Mr Page Attacks New P.M.

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1939, Page 7

Angry Scene in Federal House When Mr Page Attacks New P.M.

CANBERRA, April 20. A FIRST-CLASS FEDERAL POLITICAL CRISIS LOOMED TO-DAY, WHEN SIR EARLE PAGE, INTERIM PRIME MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE COUNTRY PARTY, SPEAKING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE MOTION FOR THE ADJOURNMENT, ATTACKED THE NEWLY-ELECTED LEADER OF THE UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY, MR. R. G. MENZIES, WHO HAS NOW BECOME PRIME MINISTER.

The substance of Sir Earle Page’s attack was, firstly, that Mr. Menzies had resigned from the Lyons’ Government at a time when Australia was spending untold millions in getting ready for war; secondly, that before resigning he had made a speech which had been interpreted as an attack , upon his own leader; and, thirdly, that in 1915 he had resigned from the military forces and did not go overseas for war service.

Need for Confidence

Sir Earle Page emphasised that the change in the leadership of the United Australia Party had wrought a change in the relationship of the two Government parties. Australia, he said, needed a leader in whom the utmost confidence could be placed, and he must have a public record such as would inspire people to the miximum national effort in a time of emergency.

Sir Earle Page indicated that with Mr. Menzies as leader, and possible Prime Minister, it would be quite impossible to continue the Cabinet relations that hitherto had existed between the~two Government parties, and that was the advice he intended giving the Governor-General. Mr. Bruce’s Attitude.

Sir Earle Page also revealed that he had communicated with Mr. Stanley Bruce —now in America on his way back to London —mentioning the possibility of an election. At the same time he had offered his own Parliamentary seat to Mr. Bruce if the latter would return to lead the new composite Government. Mr. Bruce had replied that he would only return to lead a non-party Government.

During Sir Earl Page’s address the House was in an uproar. Mr. Menzies was cheered on rising to reply. Mr. Menzies’ Stinging Reply.

Mr. Menzies said' the door to cooperation had been closed, bolted and barred for reasons not only offensive and personal, but paltry.

“I did not resign my commission from the militia,” said Mr. Menzies. “I completed my training under the universal system, and then, like many other young men in 1915, I had to answer the question: ‘ls it my duty to go to the.war?’ The answer to that is hardly one for the public platform. It was really an intimate, personal and family affair, and for reasons that were compelling, I was unable to join my two brothers in the infantry.” Mr. Menzies closed his reply: “In the discharge of my duties as leader, I hope I shall exhibit none of the miserable qualities suggested by the retiring Prime Minister in one of the most remarkable attacks of my public

career.”

Dramatic Developments.

Mr. Menzies was cheered from all parts of the House. Dramatic developments followed the adjournment. Two Country Party members, Messrs. A. W. Fadden and B. H. Corser, announced their resignation from their party ofaing to their objection to Sir Earle Page’s remarks. They intend to become Independent Country Party members. Sir Earle Page’s speech is reported to have caused deep resentment even among members of his own party, some of whom intend to seek an explanation, and may even demand his resignation from the leadership of the Country Party. The House adjourned until May 3. Sir Earle Page later tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, and Mr. Menzies was invited to see the Governor-General.