POLITICAL SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1923, Page 3

POLITICAL SITUATION.

TJ-IK COMING ,SESSION.

SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Feb. I Considering the important issues at stake strangely little interest is being displayed by tile general public in the short session of i’arliament to open on Wednesday nexf. Even the politicians themselves seem less concerned about the fate of the Parties than might have been expected in the circumstance-. I in. leaders icnuiiii particular L reticent and the rank and file discuss the situation without much obvious understanding. THE SPEAKERS! 11 P. Tin* popular prediction is that Air Statlnim will be the Govcrnmcui nominee for the Speakership, ami that ill Hie even, of a contest for the position, Colonel Bell, Air Isiif and Mr Witty and probably two or three other Liberals will vote with the Reformers. It is unlikely however that the Opposition will seek a trial of strength on a question of (his kind. NO TRIAL OK STRENGTH. The opinion that the Opposition will not invite a division on any question that would involve the existence oi the Government is growing, and it is thought that if Mr Massey wants a decision of this kind he will have In lake the initiative himself. CAUCUS .MEETINGS. Both the Liberal and the Labour Party will hold caucus meetings before flic opening of the session and their discussions may result in a belter understanding between the two parties than existed during the hie ol last i’arliament. LABOR. LEADERSHIP. 1 1 i's rumoured that Air Holland may voluntarily retire from the Leadership of lhe Labour Party in order to facilitate closer co-operation between the various elements ol the opposition, but no definite information of the subject C vet available. OOVEP XAI EXT SAFE. At ihc moment, the political almosphere here suggests that the Government would survive any direct attack upon its position hy two or three voles. This margin would" not he sufficient to enable it to carry on with any measure of comfort and confidence and the next step probably would be overtures ol one kind or another to the Liberals. !i

these should fail, the only altornatix e remaining would he another appeal to the constituencies.