LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2183, 30 September 1920, Page 2

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

AND A LABOUR CHALLENGE

Wellington, Sept. 28

In the* House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr McCombs raised a point of dialer as to whether the member for the Unit was entitled to he addressed as the Leader of the Opposition, in view of the fact that he. was only elected as Party leader al a meeting of seven members. In support of his contention, Mr McCombs said Unit the Speaker in the House of Commons had recently ruled Unit the largest party sitting in opposition to the Government was entitled to be considered the official Opposition. Furthermore, he contended Unit the official Lberal group in the House was in such complete agreement with the Government on all main political (pmstions that it w;is incapable of functioning as the Opposition, and its existence uu the Opposition Benches therefore was irregular and anomalous. The. Speaker said that lie had been officially informed that Mr Wilford had been elected Leader of the Opposition, and as such lie recognised him. Mr Wilford said the >1 a lenient that lie had been elected by seven members of his parly was contrary to fact. Neither was the name of the Leader of (lie Opposition drawn from a hat, as had been freely stated.

Mr McCombs sought to pursue the subject, but was ruled out of order by the Speaker, and there the matter dropped.