The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1923. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1923. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament is to reassemble to-mor-row for the special session to discover how the parties really stand and who

will he “in” and who will be “out”. There is no doubt the- late elections gave the Reform party a most unexpected shock. Mr Massey and his followers expected to "sweep” the polls and the actual result tfas a rude disclosure of public feeling. A pro-Re-fonn paper last week said “one reason wily ATr Massey lost nt tile polls was because lie showed too much concern for farmers and too little for the rest of fhe community.” This is a very O"o:: confession for a commercial journal which is on out and out supporter of the Government’s 1 Hpvvever, tlmre is the fact. Mr .Massey accord.

mg to the figures under which the successful parliamentary candidates were labelled, is to meet Ibe House with a following wlifch totals less than 1 half the iiiMiieriwal voting strength. Though this >s so. t fibre are reports current that Mr Massey will he able to "pull through’ 1 . It is not disclosed yet bow this is to come to pass. Indeed the whole issue is very obscure, and perhaps there will not be any definite finality, till the House actually divides on some test question. A correspondent in Wellington, writing on Friday. says of tile political prospects: "I think from what 1 can gather that the meeting of .Parliament, will liv short and sharp. There lias been a lot of manoeuvring and everybody is speaking in very guarded language—really waiting for what is going to turn up—and then declaring. - I told yon wo.’ ” That statement probably sums up the situation as definitely as it can ho stated at present. There are reports that both the Liberal and Labor parties will operate very cautiously at the outset. For instance, there is not apparently going to la- any trial of strength- as there might lie—over the Speakership. It is regarded as certain that Mr Statham, who was in opposition to Mr .Massey last session, and who for a time was in close alliance with the Liberals, is now to be Mr Massey’s nominee for the post, and if so, will lie elected unopposed. Tims will pass one of the plums of office, and Mr Massey will record the first s«nre. Mr Statham, apparently is to receive the reward he begrudged bis former colleagues who formed the Reform cave when Mr Massey was in England and who were brought to heel hv the sweets of office when place and power were dangled before tli'-m Mr Massey has another post ready to till -the Chairmanship of 'Committees- and even Dame Rumour is silent as to the possible occupant. It can be wall understood that there will be some adroit miflioeiivrmg proceeding in regard to this position also. Also, if Mi Lee does not .succeed in retaining the 0»m----a,u seat on his election position, a •ministerial portfolio will Ire vacant, another rich prize for Hie ardent politician. Mr Massey certainly has sonic trump curds to piny mid Ik> lias boon long enough at the game to know how to play i liein. His task in “playing” the opposition might not. he so difficult either, for the reason that there is a gult set between the two sections and unless radical and unexpected come to pass there can be no real getlier the Government shonro -b‘j to hold the position at least tentatively for the special session, but whether it can carry through a full dress session calling for political legislation, remains to be seen; and jn any ease that contingency will he governed by the result of the election petitions now pending. The strength, or weakness of the recently augmented Labor party has yet to disclose itself, while the confidence, of the Liberals is, also, an element to be taken into account when weighing future possibilities.