NEW PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1923, Page 3

NEW PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF THE SESSION. (X.Z. Times). At Parliament Buildings preparations arc now in full swing for the opening of the first session of the new Parliament on Wednesday afternoon next. There is. at, the .same- time a marked renewal of interest in the somewhat? anomalous political position. In certain <|iiarters great confidence is expressed that the Reform Government will lie able to carry on: but the

grounds for this confidence arc-' not dearly .stated. It has been suggested that -Mr .Massey might resign, and advise His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral to send for Mr Millord and inrite him to form a Cabinet, the expectation being that when Mr Massey challenged his position on tho floor of the House, members on the present Opposition .side who have pledged themselves more or less definitely not to support any Government that was kept in powder b,v extreme Labour votes, would vote with the Reloini Party to put Mr Wilford out. Such tactics, however, have apparently not found favour with the Government. WILL THEY CO-OPERATE?

Some hope is expressed that the Li-beral-Labour Party may co-operate with the Reform Party, thus giving the Government a strong working majority; but generally the. idea is scouted'with the gibe that “the wish is lather to the hope." Others, again, are optimistic enough to believe that, even if Mr Wilford"'.* party refuses to (o-operate with the. Government. Mr Massey may still have a dependable majority of not less than two votes. This presumption is based upon the fact that Colonel Allan Dill (Bay of Islands), and Mr G. Witty ( Rieeartoli) have earmarked seats on the Government side of ihe House, and on the belief that Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) will support Mr Massey in the event of either Mr Wilford the I eder of the Ollleial Labour Pur,' tabliim a no-ooulidence motion. AGAINST EXTREME LA BOR 7 Tho Reform Party caucus passed a resolution inviting the co-operation ot the Liberal-La hour Party against extreme Labour: and this no doubt- will he discussed a t the Liberal-La bom Partv’s mooting on Monday next,. Tt Ims "been suggested that an understanding might lie reached d the Government agreed to carry out ocitain electoral reforms: hut the Government so far has given no indication whatever that it. would do so. ELECTION OE SPEAKER. T'lit! election of till' Speaker of tho 4 louse of Rcprescntativi s will he the first business of tho new Parliament. While tho name of Air C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) lias been very Ireely canvassed in this connected so that lie has seemed to ho the only man in the running, a surprise may he in stoic, i though the political <|uidnunes doubt it. The Speaker is to be elected on Wedinisdav. and Dio Speech from tho Throne will he delivered on Thursday. Tile session is not, expected to last nuno than a lortnight. : ladder party CALCES. Thu caucus mooting of the Purlin- 1 mentarv Labour Party will he hold on Tuesday next, and the leader of the party will then ho elected. Mi 11. L. , Holland, at present leader of the, Iu,rfy. has obtained that position on l.'-refiouK occasions on a very close vote, and now that the Labour Pally has I, members in place of 8, its choice of a leader will lie awaited with increased interest.

CHAIRMAN OE COMMITTEES. Owing to the defeat at the general lection of Air A. S. .Malcolm (Clutha) for several years past Chairman of Committees, one of the iirsi duties ol lhe new House ,1 Representatives will |„. to elect a Chairman of CoinmiUeos lo lake ins place. It is not necessary that the appointment should he made during the coining short session, and it is considered probable that the election will lie held over until the House meets again in .1 une next. In |ha! case a Chairman of Committee- pro lent will be appointed i oxt week, sir John Luke (Wellington North) is considered most likely re 1.0 -o appointed. l,ut thy. name ,'i A| r (;. AYitty Biecartonl has also hoon rio-nlioued in ibis connection. LARGER AIK.M BEK’S VIEW. Aii IVler Eraser, lirst lieutenant oi i; o oiiici.d I’arliamentarv Labour Ihirty. spent the week-end in Wanganui. stale- Ihe "Wanganui ( hrnnicle." In ' versa! .on will, :■ (rim'd. Mr |,'|.j, M r (.ve/e.ssoil the opinion that Mr Mas „ v would he able to carry on. ip. ,11 not, see any reason to doubtthis, as l'lose Liberal* anil Independents who had pledged themselves to vote for the Government as against phe I aboui Party "civ numerically sufficient to give him the requisite majority.