FEDERAL POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16943, 18 January 1923, Page 7

FEDERAL POLITICS.

CONFERENCE OF PARTIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 18, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 18. After the conference of the Nation il and Country Parties delegates it was ascertained, that although the Country Party will not to a ministry under Air Hughes, they are hopeful ot an agreement being reached for the formation of a strong anti-Labour ministry, under some other leader. The conference will meet h gain torday. At a meeting of the Country Party, it was decided that the delegates to the conference should not urge the granting of portfolios to the Country Party, hut if members of the party were to take office in any composite ministry. Dr Earle Page must he Prime Minister. The meeting also decided that should Dr Earle Page not be Prime Afinister. members of the party would not accept portfolios in another ministry, but would be prepared to support a Cabinet led by the treasurer. Mr S. M. Bruce THE SENATE. - BRISBANE. January 18. Air AT. S. Reid and Air AV. S. A. Thompson (Nationalists) were elected to the third and fourth Senate sea Us. thus giving all four pueensland vacancies to Nationalists.