Australia's New Prime Minister The election of Mr. R. G.
Menzies, the late Attorney- General (he recently resigned through disagreement with his party over a question of national insurance), as leader of the United Australia Party in succession to the late Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, leaves the political situation in Australia uncertain. Mr. Menzies was only chosen by a narrow majority over Mr. W. M. Hughes, and might not have been chosen at all if he had not been helped by the decision of the Country Party that they would not serve under him, a challenge which rallied a few doubtful supporters of Mr. Menzies to him. The Country Party's defection from the coalition which existed under Mr. Lyons means that Mr. Menzies will hold office dependent on his own party of 26 in a House of 74. The Country Party, however, will no doubt keep him in power, as they have themselves no desire for an election. Labour, in opposition, commands 29 votes, and is thus the largest party. It is unfortunate that in the present international emergency it was not found possible to secure Mr. Bruce, who is at present on his way back to England, as Prime Minister of an all-party administration, but neither the United Australia Party nor the Labour Party would accept those conditions, which Mr. Bruce himself laid down. In these circumstances it is not even certain that the Governor-General will call on Mr. Menzies to form a Government at all, though he presumably will.
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