Political Pellets.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 44, 12 January 1912, Page 8

Political Pellets.

To use a sporting phrase, Sirjoe is sparring for wind.

The ••Dominion" states that out of a totitl membership of 80 in the House of Ilcpn sciitatives, 38 are pledged to vote with the Government on a want-of-con-fklcuee motion and 42 against.

The outcome of the conference bewccn members of the Liberal Party in Christchuroh and Wellington disclosed the MieawhiT-liko nature ot our politicians in their expectancy Itiiat something would turn uj>.

Whilst in Wellington last week, Mr. Massey gave it as his opinion that Parliament would be assembled within a fortnight. • • *

Sirjoe Ward does not appear to be in any hurry to extinguish Lims •!!' politically; On the contrary, everything points to his hanging on to the Premiership with the tenacity of a bulldog to an unwary trespasser's trousor-si ;;t. » » *

It is reported that one outstanding feature of the caucus of the Wardiies. was the strenuous demand made for Cabinet reform. Rumour hath ir that retirement of R. McKen/.ie. Bmldo, and Carroll was demanded; Guinness was most persistent in his claim for ministerial office, whilst and Davey advanced similar claims. Tile suggestion was also made that Parliament could carry on with tin; independent support.

An Opposition caucus was held in Wellington last week, when prominent members of the Opposition were present. The result of deliberations was not made public.

It is common rumour in Wanganui that ex-engiuedrivcr Veitcli was offered a Cabinet position by Sirjoe. Veitch's refusal to accept the position was the only thing he possibly could do. although it must be confessed that a sudden rise from 11 or 12 bob a day to £1000 a year has its temptations. Sirjoe in his frantic efforts to maintain his job, would throw baits around with a generous hand, it is stated that the portfolios offered were those of Labor and Railways. It is by methods such as these that Labor has found itself betrayed time and again. That there are men who cannot be bought even by Cabinet positions is a good sign of the times.

Mr. J. Robertson, M.P. for Otaki, speaking to a "Dominion" reporter, said that at the conference of Labor members hold in Wellington, all three —Messrs. Robertson, Veitch, and Hindmarsh— unanimously agreed to vote against the Ward Government on a straightont "no-confidence" motion. "Understand," said Mr. Robertson, "this docs not mean that I am working with Mr. Massey, but that first and before all I am sticking to the pledge made on the platform. AM.at I may do in regard to voting on legislative measures is a personal matter. AVhat I would like to make clear is that I am in no way connected with the Socialist Party, nor was my candidature endorsed by that party m any way. That I may be a Socialist in the broad sense of the word is another and a personal matter. 1 stood as tho nominee of the Manawatu Flaxmill Employees' Union, which decided by ballot some time ago to affiliate with the New Zealand Federation of _ Labor. That is the oiilv ixissible way in which T en" be connected with that Fedcra-

A Pahiatua paper says that if the handful of Laborues expect Massey to sacrifice important matters of pririciphin order to gain their support they are sadly mistaken. Now no one seriously expects Massey or Ward to sacrifice any of their "principles." which, boiled down, amount to "hoffice.' • » • The strenuous manner in which both the political parties arc courting the Labor group is an indication of their estimation of Labor's independence. Apparently both' parties are prepared to hand 'oik "sop" to catch their support. J * » • I It is reported that at the recent eonI fcrciici' of ihe Lil.crnl t'a.rty. Sir joe was given a perfectly free hand. Ho has first to ascertain if certain contingencies are likely to eventuate. If so, he will fill at least two. if not three, portfolios, and expects to bo in a position to announce that he can command a reasonable working majority. If these guarantees are forthcoming, the House will meet in April. On the other hand, if these giKwanteos are' not forthcoming, Sirjoe will lose no time in advising that Parliament meet early in February, and so allow Hill Massey to challenge his position. Information has been received that .mo of the Ministerial supporters returned at last election may have the legality of his return aunrked on grounds connected with a land transaction in which two ex-members are also interested. It is also stated that this member has been asked to resign in order not to embarrass the party. The member in question is said to live not more than 100 miles from a certain West Coast electorate. • * * In view of the narrow margin existig between the two older parties, the departure for England of Wilford, Government member for Mutt, means a great deal. According to Massey, no pair has been arranged. Whether a pair can be arranged when the House meets is problematical. • - • Jack Findlay's retirement to his legal den does not appear to have had any serious consequences upon New Zealand. * * * * The recent election in California has demonstrated beyond doubt that the judgment of the American Federation of Labor in the matter of great reforms has been excellent and praiseworthy. Two of tho great measures, woman suffrage and the initiative and the referendum, just made law by the voice of the people of California, have been energetically supported by organised Labor for many years, and it is to the credit of the American federation of Labor that it initiated the national movement for tho later reform. In 1890 the American Federation of Labor endorsed woman suffrage, the endorsement of th© initiative and referendum followed in 1892, and iv 1893 the Postal Savings Bank received the National Government, while the States are wheeling into line for tho other two great measures. The agitation for all three measures has been pressed without a let up for years, and organised Labor can be justly proud in the part it has played in bringing them into operation. • • • Colonel Griffith-lloscawen introduced in the House of Commons the Unionist Social llefonn Committee's bill in wihch it is proposed to clear away slums in order to provide housing accommodation in towns and country districts. It is proposed that the Treasury . shall grant £1,000,000 per annum for the purpose, and that local authorities shall give aid towards the net cost of loss.