PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1926, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

TO OPEN ON JUNE 10th. WELLINGTON, May 19. Although Ministerial rearrangements were expected to be made public to-day there was no announcement after the meeting of the Executive, which was followed by a Cabinet meeting. » It wilt probably lie tho end of the week before a full Cabinet is constituted.

The Prime Minister informed a representative of the “Lyttelton Times” that Parliament will meet on .Tune 10th., being opened by Commission as the House of Representatives will be required to elect a Speaker on the first day. in order to meet tho GovernorGeneral ' the following day with a Speaker at its bead.

THE SPEAKERSHIP. WELLINGTON, May 19.

' Tn addition to the date, of the opening of Parliamnet being fixed, political matters, which have been somewhat quiescent of late, shows signs of reviving interest. The Deputy Governor-General (Hon. C. P. Skorrett) having returned to Wellington and a meeting of the Exoeuttte Council having been hold this morning, followed by a meeting of Cabinet, it was expected that some statement might have been made by

the Prime Minister regarding the completion of Ministerial reconstruction. Mr Contes stated, however, that there would not he any announcement on this subject either to-day or to-mor-row. He also said that he was not yet ready to state when he would he leaving for London to attend the Imperial Conference or to give the actual date of that gathering. It is believed that the conference will meet in the first week in October, and that the Prime Minister will depart for London somewhere about Hie end of August.

? Parliament this year will meet un tier circumstances unparalleled in th< Dominion’s political history, for th< 1 Labour Party, will for the first time occupy the seats of his Majesty’s Opposition. The “Post” says the election of a new .Speaker may also he of some interest, as it is stated, though not authoritatively, that the Reform Party may oppose the re-election of the Hon C. E. Statliam and endeavour to have one of its own members appointed. Mr Stathnm. it will he recalled, was appointed Speaker at a time when the Reform Party had a very small majority ami when it was uncertain what his attitftido in the House as an independent member would he. Speculation regarding the appointment of new Ministers is now in fullswing, hut Mr Coates has not yet indicated on whom his choice will fall, or as lo how ho will redistribute his portfolios. The name of Mr R. A. Wright has been mentioned as a likely new appointment, hut the claims of Wellington City to a seat in the Ministry do not- appear to he bright at the moment. It is. thought that Mr K. S. 'Williams, Bay of Plenty, may have a chance of selection, hut it is not yet known whether the Prime Minister has decided whom he will finally appoint.