PARLIAMENT TO MEET

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1928, Page 5

PARLIAMENT TO MEET

EARLY IN DECEMBER. PRIME .MINISTER’S STATEMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association).

WELLINGTON, Nov. 23.

Mr Coates stated to-night: “I have already stated that when the results ol the general election were definitely ascertained, 1 would make a further statement as to the course of action the Government intended to follow. Although the final results in all the electorates are not yet to hand, they are now sufficiently definite to enable a decision to be arrived at as to the procedure to be adopted. It seems evident that no party has in itself a clear majority in tbe House, and in the.-ic circumstances, I am of the opinion that tbe constitutional course is to call Parliament together as soon as possible, in order that the position may be tested. Mis Excellency the Gover-nor-General will accordingly be advised to summon Parliament to meet on Tuesday, Ith. December.

AIR 11. E. HOLLAND’S VIEW

WESTPORT, Nov. 23

At the Labour Victory Ball, in the Theatre Royal, to-night, Air H. E. Holland, Leader of tbe Opposition, alter thanking the electors for having given him such a handsome victory in the town of Westport, and in the electorate, went on tir refer to the political situation. He had expected a statement from Air Coates by this time, indicating bis intentions, but this had not come. However, he thought, seeing the Reform Party was so hopelessly beaten, Mr Coates would not attempt t.o carry on, and that be would either tender bis resignation to the GovernorGeneral, or call Parliament together very shortly, and not attempt to carry on over Christmas. He thought that just as the Hon .1. G. Coates bad not been able to live up to bis election promises til 1925, so Sir Joseph Ward would not tie able to live up to those of 1928. What tbe electors bad done was to drive the two parties, opposed to Labour closer together. The day was not far distant when Labour would be the only alternative to the Party on the Treasury Benches. When Air Coates bad intimated the action lie intended to take, he (Air Holland) would have a statement to make as Leader of the Labour Party. Af: Holland received a rousing reception. tbe gathering rising and singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

REFORM’S DEFEAT

WITHOUT PRECEDENT IN HISTORY.

WELLINGTON, November 23

Sir Joseph Ward said the Reform Party had gone to the country with 53 members, and had returned Irom the elections with the party returned to 26. The nature of the defeat was without precedent in history. Four Ministers, the Chairman of Committees, Senior Government Whip, and other good men in the ranks of the Reform Party were defeated at the polls. Anyone who expected of the United Party that it should start to kill its policy hv joining with its defeated opponents, was asking lor what was impossible. Adding that there were 29 members present at the meeting, Sir Joseph said he had received apologies for absence, owing to the shortness of notice, from Messrs Rushworth, Poison and MeDugall, making a total of 32. Four independents had communicated with him, Messis Hogan, Poison, ‘Wilson and Rushworth informing him that they would suppoifc him on a want-01-eonfidonee motion. The fifth member, classed as an independent, lie did not regard as a party man.