PARTY PROSPECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 July 1924, Page 4

PARTY PROSPECTS.

LIVELY CROSS TALK. WELLINGTON. July L Discussion of party prospects raises lively issues in the House where the Government’s majority is so narrow. .Mr .Masters (.Stratford), venturing into this sphere to-night, said that if the Prime Minister was ever torpedoed it was hy his chief Whip, the member for Parnell, who told the Press that it was absolutely necessary there should be reconstruction of the Cabinet, as yothing else would satisfy the country If such a thing was said by an English chief Whip people would say it was inspired, and he wondered if this statement was inspired. The Government Whip certainly ought to know if Cabinet reconstruction was needed. The Prime Minister had once told them that he could run the country with half a dozen secretaries. Perhaps he knew how they compared with half rdozen .Ministers. The Government had lost the confidence of the farming community in .Southland. Mr Massey: Oh nonsense! Mr Masters: You haven’t it seat lefi there. You are losing the confidence of Canterbury farmers. Taranaki has gone for ever, and till that is left foi the Reform party are the stpiatters of Hawke's Ray and Poverty Ray. The only hope remaining was the unholy alliance between Reform and Labour to keep the Liberals out, because they knew if mice the Liberals got into power they would pass -t'.cli legislation regarding land settlement, bousing and pensions atlil show stub econo mienl administration that Reform would lie out in tln* cold lor years.

Mr Holland: If you got on the benches you would have to do as we tell you. (Government laughter). Mr .Massey: And they would do it. Mi- .Masters: If we got there ami wc were dependent on the Labour Parly to do as wo were told we would get off. Mr Wilford: And quickly, too.