POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

T THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.' The length to which the Address-in-Reply debate, which is expected to open on Wednesday night will run, is uncertain. Some members of the Opposition, in reply to questions on the subject, state that they can 6ee nothing in the Governor's Speech to debate, and they hint that they may not carry - tho discussion to any length. The Government, it is believed, would be quite prepared for such a contingency, as the preparations for tho session _ are sufficiently well advanced to provide tho House with" employment in tho event of tho defcato coming to an early end.' The Opposition have not yt decided who is to lead'off on their behalf. THE LABOUR PARLIAMENT, Remarkably little interest is being taken by politicians in the proceedings and aims of the "Labour Parliament" which is to assemble in Wellington to-day.. The general opinion of members seems to ho that in spite of the optimistic assertions of Unity delegates, the activities of tho conference are far removed from the domain of practical politics. One member expressed tho opinion that although the conference would no doubt arrivo_at some theoretical "basis of unity," its members would certainly fail to unite the jarring elements of. their widely dissimilar organisations into a compound ■ body which would bear the working strain of practical political activity. DEPUTATIONS. , While political events are, at the moment, almost' at a standstill, tho tide of deputations has set in strongly, and there is every indication that tho records of previous sessions in this respect will bo equalled, if not surpassed.' To-day four Wellington deputations aro to interview the Postmaster-General, who has set aside two hours for their reception. Some' of them aro to deal with such matters as post offices and street telephones, and another' will raise a.question of hospital district boundaries. Still another deputation, consisting of Normandale settlers, has made an appointment to-day with the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister for Lands. Numerous other deputations are in prospect, including one. from the New Zealand Alliance, which is expected to make strong representations on tho subject of the bare majority. Apart from tho deputations which are received in public, there are many which present their cases in private. It would be interesting to know exactly how much of the time of the Cabinet Ministers is taken up in this way. Probably a, return furnishing the information would bo somewhat startling. OPPOSITION CAUCUS. The "Committee of Public Safety," which looks after the interests of the Opposition in tho House of Representatives, held a meeting at the end of last week, and it is reported that, as an outcome, a caucus of the party will be held this week. It is expected that the committee will bo asked to continue in office meantime. THE NEW COUNCILLORS. Our Auckland correspondent states that the new appointments to the Upper House are approved by the "Star," which says: "Generally speaking, wo may say without prejudice that Mr. Masscy has made a fairly satisfactory selection of new members for tho Legislative Council. No one will contest Sir "William Russell's claims to a post for which his exceptional personal qualities, and his valuable public services in Parliament, have long since destined him. Mr. Duthie, in spite of his somewhat advanced age, has long been one of the mainstays of the 'Reformers,' and his acknowledged ability and experience, of affairs should render liim a very useful member of the Upper House. Mr. Hardy has been ono of tho most moderate and reasonable of the 'Reform' 'rank and file,' and is one of the most popular men in public life in tho Dominion to-day. Mr. liarnshaw is not a 'Reformer,' so far as his past political history is concerned, and his advancement will hardly please the Labour win" of tho Liberals. And Mr. Nicholl is, politically speaking, an unknown quantity, but at least three of' the members whom Mr. Massey has chosen are certain to be useful representatives of public and political opinion in the Upper House, and on tho whole the Prime Minister may be congratulated on having performed his difficult task so well."