POLITICAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 27 August 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

Mr Mafk Fagan has been selected, without opposition, to contest the Motueka seat at the general election in the interests of the New Zealand Laliour Party. Replying to a representative deputation which waited on him a fortnight ago, Mr James Craigic, M.P., has agreed to contest the Timaru seat at the coming elections as a supporter of pro-

gressive measures. Mr C. E. Major announces his intension of standing as a candidate for Manukau in the Liberal-Labour interest. Tho present member for that fiiitrict is Sir Frederick Lang, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr G. J- Anderson, the present number for Mataura, will be a candidate for the scat again at the general election. Mr David McDougall, Mayor of Gore, and Mr Norman McTntyre, of Tussock Creek, have also announced .their intention of contesting the scat.

Mr J. S. Dickson, the sitting mem fecr for Parucll, has announced his in tention of standing again for the seat in the Kefonn interests at the general -election. The opening of Parliament on Ihurs•clav (to-morrow) will take place in the mew Legislative Council Chamber, but the Council will hold its sittings for ihe remainder of tho session in the old tetaßiber. The new homo of the Legislative Council is not yet completed. One ■ to txro of the marble pillars have to be erected, and the panelling is in an nn- j finished state. The chamber is much £« n« that occupied by the House Of Keprosentativcs, but on a smaller Sale, especially as regards the ga enA pre-sessional address was delnercd by Mi J- McCombs at Lyttclton an Monday night. The greatest part ot So speech consisted of a strong attack 4pon Sir Joseph Ward, both m regard to his share in the administration ot the National Government and his re£*tly£ued manifesto. Mr McCombs S Lorded a vote of thanks and confldence. . . ~ The Liberal caucus was to be lield this morning and the Reform caucus in the afternoon. The suggested reconstruction of the Cabinet will probably ■fce tho principal matter for discussion at the Reform meeting.. It is Stateu that some members intend to press tor the resignation of some present members of the Ministry. Upon the result of the Liberal meeting will depend the attitude of the party with respect to the coming session. oAi POLITICAL 2wtherujoj... • Will Sir Joseph Ward move a no*KHJfidence motion? This is the quest -n probably most discussed by memParliament already in WellingbClS °* -*e*ent. "When tho announceton at p- made tliat the opposing was j. - ret . rc from tUe Na . tion section w, _ f almost {aken teonal Government * Tt • •for granted that he dd ° *°: «" suggested now that 50 , .. - intention to this he may announce his bdp tha Government to get *" "= the necessary legislation, and to* P o?t _" pone active hostilities until the <?an--Sidates are at the hustings. There arC -one or two strong reasons why the latter course may be the one decided upon. She first.is that it would be very doubt- • Sal if Sir Joseph Ward could carry such a motion. Secondly, it is certain he tould mot carry it without the support 5 fte Labour group, and it maynot , ,■+ tbeir Dlans to play his game. Also, jor m ww h circumsta nces. Government uncier ~ ut - .. fl Yet another reason is that it a »»w S£4t they might be so much the resumption of party waropposed to the resumi m fare in *» f-Jgfg ™ might absent in tHs session that they S^^ themselves from tne «">•«■ ,