AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

MR HUGHES’S POSITION. NOT ACCEPTABLE AS UNITED LEADER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyrigiit MELBOURNE, January 16. The first attempt to find a basis for unitin'; the Nationalist and Country Parties in forming an Administration in ■which both parties will be represented was made to-day. At a meeting of the Nationalist Party, from which the press was strictly barred, after lengthily discussing tho question and seeking a conference with the Country Party, it is understood that a proposal adopting an expression and confidence in Mr Hughes was brought up. A fairly strong section of the party expressed a pointed disinclination to continue under his leadership, also emphasising that such leadership would prove destructive to any dunce of securing the co-opcration of the Country Party in forming a Government. The discussion was complicated by allegations made .by various members, founded on rumour or otherwise, regarding the intentions of the Government, that Mr Hughes, as a final resort, was determined not to surrender the leadership of the Government. Eventually an expression of confidence in Mr Hughes as leader of the National Party was paused on the understanding that it was a vote with an implication that it opened tho way to the adoption of a subsequent resolution providing for negotiations with the Country Party. The meeting then appointed a delegation to confer with the Country Party. The latter also held a. short meeting, and adjourned pending the result of the Nationalist gathering, wnich at times was of an animated character and disclosed a decided divergence of views amongst the members. MELBOURNE, January 17. _ The Country Party’s meeting unanimously re-elected Dr Earle Page as leader. The meeting decided to accept the Nationalists’ invitation to a. conference, and appointed delegates for that purpose. It was stated after the meeting that a motion was carried that pending developments in other directions it is impossible at present to define tho future attitude of the party. It is regarded as certain that Mr Hughes will not ho accepted as leader of a coalition with the Nationalist Party. At the meeting it was announced that the Federal Parliament will meet on February 28. SENATE ELECTIONS. BRISBANE, January 17. Senator Full, Nationalist, was re-elected to the second Queensland Senate vacancy.