The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY. JUNE 21th, 1924. PARLIAMENTARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY. JUNE 21th, 1924. PARLIAMENTARY.

With Parliament to open on Thursday the political quidnuncs will he specially busy forecasting passible, if not probable, results. The session pro. mixes to assume special importance from the outset, for the reason that the Government tenure of office is less secure than it was on the last assembly of Parliament. This is said to bo duo owing to dissensions within the Reform ranks, A Ministerial plum is hanging from the political tree, and as a consequence the wonld-lio aspirants tire pressing their claims in not very modest mien. Several aspirants are men-

tioned anti Alp Massey will require to be particularly diplomatic to save the situation. Apart front this interesting development within the family circle, there is the difficulty abopt tlie leg-

islatioii to be brought forward. That savouring of party leanings will have a doubtful reception. But before that stage can lie reached there is sure to lie a trial of strength on some phase of the Addross-iu-Meply debate. Both Liberals and Labor will bring forward, doubtless, amendments of moment, and the Mouse will require 1o be divided to settle these issues which will bo on lio-conlideucc lines. With the possibility of a general election looming ahead. Labor is Mire to make the most of tile late railway strike and the devo'opments within the aftermath. Tlio issue will in a sense cover a large vote of the public service, and Labor will be not unmindful of that crucial aspect. Encouraged by "Imt bus happened of late in various parts of the Empire. Labor "ill be anxious to press the country to the polls. Of the parties, Labor lias the most, to gain bv an appeal to the electors. Moform and Liberals alike will fare worse in the general clearing it)). Tile session will lie of special interest when il comes to ileal with matters of finnme. The taxation proposals "ill be awaited with close interest, but as lias been remarked before, the question cannot be handled cli'crtively without some close study of the expenditure side of the public balance sheet-. Mr Massey, 100, will be able to get something of a load from the debate in the Commons oil tile pl'ofoienfe. duties. Just what the dominions may do in this matter, is now a subject for statesmanship. It will be difficult to make policies of protection ami flee trade fuse, but that to some extent is the issue of the moment. The parly leaders have each and all expressed coiilidei.ee publicly ill their late-t utterances. .Mr .Massey and bis Ministers have covered a good deal of ground and 101 l tbe pulse of the peo| lc very generally. .Mr Wilfoid and his lieutenants have also traversed a good deal of ground and the Liberals appear to be in good hearr. I li<> Labor campaign was not as long sustained 11s was expected. Mr Holland alter his late brief tour lias been confining bis at tentions lo bis own electorate, and irolii various district platforms lie Ins endeavoured to address New Zealand at large. Mr Holland was tbe only Coast member to take tbe platlorm in his own district, the other members hyberuatiiig for the time being. What local stimulation there lias been in regard to tbe jolitieal situation lias come limit the outside where tbe distant guns have been booming intermittently. Howovei there will be immediately the opportunity of judging the position exactly as it is revealed by the latest party division lists,