PARLIAMENT OPENS TO-DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2593, 14 June 1923, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OPENS TO-DAY.

The second session of the present New Zealand Parliament opens today. Since the first short session in February, there have been two by-elections, but the Government’s position remains unaltered —an assured majority of three on a noconfidence motion. It is likely that t lie Government’s strength will again lie tested before the Address-iu-Replv is agreed to. The three political parties held caucuses yesterday. The Liberal caucus was the first to finish. A resolution was passed sympathising with the Hon. D. H. Guthrie in his illness, and it was decided that the leader of the party should offer the Prime Minister a pair in respect of Mr Guthrie during the coming session. At the Labour eausus Mr Holland was in the chair. A resolution was passed congratulating the Labour members of the Christchurch City Council mi their “splendid fight against wages reduction” last Monday evening. On being asked if a pair would be accorded to Mr Guthrie, Mr Frazer, the secretary of the party, said he thought it could be said that if there was any difficulty in fixing it, a pair would bo offered.

REFORM CAUCUS. Wellington, Last Night. Tt was nearly 11 o’clock to-niglit. when the Reform caucus concluded. The following official statement was made to a “Tfones” representative, that the party had a good meeting and a good spirit pervaded the proceedings. Every member was accounted for. Business that it was intended to living before Parliament was discussed, and a number of very valuable suggestions were made which would lie put before the House at the. proper time. The Prime Minister reported that, preparations for the work of (he session were well forward, and that, by the time the Governor-General’s speech had been dealt with, the Financial Statement would be ready. The meeting unanimously expressed. 1 the opinion that the Prime Minister should represent New Zealand at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, and any arrangements that might be necessary for the conduct of the country's business, the caucus decided should be left to tlie Prime Minister to deal with. A resolution of sympathy with the, Hon D. H. Guthrie and the ITon. Sir William Fraser, both of whom are ill, was passed, and the hope expressed tlial tlry would soon be restored to health. A message having been received from the Leader of tlie Opposition, that the Liberal-Labour party was willing to find a pair for Mr Guthrie during the session* the meeting expressed great gratification at the action of the Opposition Party. *