WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1917, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

MINISTERS AND MEMBERS. A JOINT CONFERENCE. (Our .Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON, Oct 1 0 . There was no sttfprise except among the Labour members yesterday afternoop when after the Completion of the routine business Mr Massey moved the adjournment of tbe House in order that the party leaders might have an opportunity to address a joint caucus in regard to the “ very difficult financial position that has arisen during the past few weeks.” Reform and Liberal Caucuses had been held during'the morning and both had expressed a desire for a joint .caucus. The Reform caucus had given the Prime Minister - assurances of loyalty to the National Government and the Liberal caucus, though scarcely so well disposed towards tbe joint Administration was prepared to abide by whatever Sir Joseph Ward considered best. It was remarked as being a trifle of some significance that while Mr Massey referred to the joint meeting a's a caucus of the two parties Sir Joseph Ward spoke of it as a National caucus.thjj i.aßouk PaKtt".

The Labour Party also held a conference during the day, the developments of tbe last few weeks apparently having healed the breaches in its organisation, and before the adjournment in the afternoon Mr Veitch asked the Prime Minister if attendance at the joint caucus would be regarded as a pledge of support to the National Government. The member for Wanganui made liis own position plain. He was a supporter of the Government in its military policy and in every effort to bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion/ but he reserved absolute freedom to himself in other matters and could not forego his right as a representative of the people to criticise the legislating and administration of the Government. Mr Massey’s reply was to the effect that each member would have to exercise his own judgment in the matter and after Sir Josep* Ward had spoken in similar termjj Mr Veitch thought the other pari ties would be saved from barrassment by tlie Labour inejn/ bers not- attending their caucus/y-1 AN ACQUIESCENT -HOUSE:' )t There was some mild excihjrj ment in the galleries and agre® deal of curiosity when the Hot® re-assjembled in the evening/ 'JjH was known that the joint cauciufl had sat for several hours and that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had made it clear to their support- 5 - ers l hat the Government required their cordial support in carrying its measures through the House, but it was believed there had been some dissent and it was thought this would be emphasised in tbe. House.

Whathappened, however, justified none of the more sensational predictions. After an amendment to tlie Pensions Bill increasing the allowance for children from ys 6d to ios a week, brought down by Governor’s message, had been adopted by the House, Sir Joseph Ward, as Minister of Finance, explained that an error in the defence estimates which would necessitate a further loan of four millions, arose through no fault of the Department, and then tlie ordinary business ran on with ratlier'more than the usual harmony. THE PRESENT POSITION. Though it would he too much to say every murmur of discontent has been silenced and every sign of unrest removed, there can he no question that the atmosphere has been considerably cleared by a frank exchange of opinions. A. general election before the allotted time is no longer even a possibility of the near future. Liberals no less than Reformers recognise there now is no alternative to a National Govern ment in war-time.

Sir Joseph Ward, the only man who can he thought of in the House ns capable of handling tlie inereas-in«>-difficulties of finance, is committed to the arrangement and though it may involve his extinclion as a party leader ihe is bound to stand by his colleagues. That there will* he changes of a very radical character when the next election does come there can he no shadow ol doubt, but tlie country is not ready lor them yet and even the most restless of the members are beginning to realise it would resent being thrust into a contest for which it is not prepared.