NARROW VICTORY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 9

NARROW VICTORY

AUSTRALIAN PREMER UNITED PARTY’S VOTING ACCIDENT TO MR MENZIES rUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tct. Copyright CANBERRA, April 19

It is reported at yesterday’s meeting of the United Australia Party to choose the new Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies had only a narrow victory of three or four votes over Mr W. M. Hughes, but the actual figures were not disclosed.

It is reported that Mr S. M. Bruce’s offer to lead a National Government If required, was deferred for the present.

Mr Menzies had a bad fall on the steps of Parliament Buildings while he was proceeding to the party meeting yesterday. He chipped an elbow, requiring hospital treatment, and appeared at the meeting in the afternoon with the injured arm in a sling. Attitude of Sir Earle Page The representative of the Sydney ■Sun at Canberra reports that Sir Earle Page, acting-Primc Minister, to-day declined to give any indication regarding the advice he will give the GOver-

nor-General, Lord Gowrie, to-morrow. Sir Earle Page has not taken Mr Menzies into his confidence, and a number of Government supporters fear he will endeavour to jeopardise Mr Menzies’ prospects of being granted a commission to form a Government. The general expectation is that Mr Menzies will be commissioned to form a Government and that the Country Party will refuse to be represented in it.