STATE OF PARTIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2459, 12 May 1915, Page 7

STATE OF PARTIES

6 POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY In reply to a question as to the Bay of Islands by-election, tho Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. P. Massey) informed a DO.UINIOM reporter yesterday afternoon that there are certain formalities to be gone into, and the date of tho election cannot be announced just yet, but will bo announced in due courso. "Tho state of parties," proceeded Mr. Massey, "before the petition in the Bay of Islands case was 41 to 39, assuming of course that Mr. Jennings retainß his seat as member for Taumarunui, but on that I propose to express no opinion whatever. With Mr. Reed unseated, and until the election takes placo, the state of the parties is: Government, 40; and the total of the other parties being 30. "I don't think that at the present juncture I should make any prediction about the future, except just to say this, that if the prosent Government cannot carry on, it is not possible for any other party, or for the several other parties at present in Opposition to do so. With reference to what may happen when the House meets nothing would suit the Government bettor than a thorough and complete ventilation of everything that took place during the general election, and for many months prior to that date. But at a time like this, with the Empire involved in tho most serious war that it has ever known, and when the news of tho casualties to our men is reaching us every day, I think, if it is possible to do so, that party wrangling should be avoided, though the Govemmont is quite prepared to meet any charge that may come along, and at the same time discuss certain other matters to which public attention has not yet been directed."