DR, EARLE PAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 8

DR, EARLE PAGE

SUCCESSOR TO HUCHES ? COUNTRY PARTY INSISTS ON HIS LEADERSHIP. COALITION POSSIBLE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, January 18. After the conference between tho National and Country parties’ delegates it was ascertained that, although the latter would not consent to a Ministry under Mr W. M. Hughes, they were hopeful of an agreement being reached for tho formation of a strong anti-Labotir Ministry under some other leader. ,

The conference meets again to-day. At a meeting of the. Country Party it was decided that its delegates to the conference should not urge tho granting of to the Country Party, but, if members of the party were to take office in any composite Ministry, Dr. Earle Page must be the Prime Minister. It was also decided that, should Dr. Earle Page not be Prime Minister, members of the party would not accept portfolios in another Ministry, hut would be prepared to support a Cabinet led by the Federal Treasurer, Hou. S. M. Bruce.

NO AGREEMENT NATIONALISTS WANT COALITION. •HUGHES MAY STAND DOWN. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 19, 1.20 a.m.) .MELBOURNE, January 18. The conference between the Nationalists and the Country Party, seeking to arrange a. working basis, was resumed to-day, but ended without any decision being reached. It resumes to-morrow. The crux of the position is that the Nationalists desire a coalition, while the Country Party want a working agreement. r It is stated that Mr Hughes announced he was prepared to stand down from the leadershin in order to permit the anti-Labour forces to govern the country, but only on condition that a coalition was formed. It is understood the Country Party is unlikely to agree to this. Mr S. M. Bruce, the Treasurer,' is prominently mentioned in connection with the leadership.

SENATE ELECTIONS NATIONAL SUCCESSES. Bv Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. BRISBANE, January 18. Messrs M. Reid and W. G. Thompson (Nationalists) were elected to the third and fourth Senate seats, thus giving all four Queensland vacancies to Nationalists.