POLITICAL CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21325, 20 April 1939, Page 7

POLITICAL CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA

WHO WILL BE PRIME MINISTER ? Country Party’s Hostile Attitude Fears of Collapse of Coalition Awaiting Decision of Governor-General United Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlß t (Received April 19, 9.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 19. “The Sun” representative at Canberra reports that Sir Earle Page to-day declined to give’any indication in regard to the advice he will give the Governor-General to-morrow. He has not taken Mr Menzies into his confidence, and a number of Government supporters fear he will endeavour to Jeopardise the prospects of Mr Menzies being granted a commission to form a Government . The general expectation is that Mr Menzies will be commissioned to form a Government and the Country Party will refuse to be represented in it.

ATTITUDE OF COUNTRY PARTY UNLIKELY TO CO-OPERATE United press Asspc.atloh—By (Electric Telegraph—Copyright CANBERRA, April 19. The Federal Parliamentary Country Party has decided that it will not cooperate in a Coalition Government led by Mr Menzies, and it has Issued an ultimatum to that effect. It is proposed that a joint meeting of the two parties should be held to elect a Prime Minister on the understanding that only a member of the United Australia Party should be eligible. It is believed, however, that there is only the slenderest prospect of this proposal being adopted. It is widely expected that a general election will be necessary shortly.