WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 October 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

A JOINT CONFERENCE

MINISTERS AND MEMBERS

(Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 10.

There was no surprise except among the Labour members yesterday afternoon when after the completion of the routine business Mr. Massey moved the adjournment of the House in order that the party leaders might have an opportunity to address a joint caucus in regard to the "very difficult financial position that has arisen during the past few weeks." Reform and Liboral Caucuses had been held during the morning and both had expressed a desire for a joint caucus. The Reform caucus had given the Prime Minister assurances of loyalty to the National Government and the Liberal caucus, though scarcely so well disposed toward the joint administration was prepared to abide by whatever Sir Joseph Ward considered best. It was remarked as being a trifle of some significance that while Mr. Massey referred to the joint meeting as a caucus of the two parties Sir Joseph Ward spoke of it as a National caucus. THE LABOUR PARTY. The Labour Party also held a conference during the day, the developments of the last few weeks appar-„ ently having healed the breaches in its organisation, and before the adjournment in the afternoon, Mr. Veitch asked the Prime Minister if attendance at the joint caucus would be regarded as a pledge of support to the National Government, The member for Wanganui made his own position plain. He was a supporter of the Government in its military policy and in every effort to bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion but he reserved absolute freedom to himself in other matters and could not foresee his right as a representative of the people to criticise the legislation and administration of the Government. Mr. Massey's reply was to the effect that each member would have to exercise his own judgment in the matter and after Sir Joseph Ward had spoken in similar terms Mr. Veitch thought the other parties would be saved from embarrassment by the Labour members not attending their caucus.

'AN ACQUIESCENT HOUSE. There was some mild excitement in the gallaries and a great deal of curiosity when the House reassembled in the evening. It was known that the joint caucus had sat for several hours and that Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had made it clear to their supporters that the Government required their cordial support in carrying its measures through the House but it was believed there had been some dissent and it was thought this would be emphasised in the House. What happened, however, justified none of the more sensational predictions. After an amendment to the Pensions Bill increasing the allowance for children from 7s 6d to 10s. a week, brought down by Governor's message had been adopted by the House, Sir Joseph Ward as Minister of Finance, explained that an error in the defence estimates which would necessitate a further loan of four millions, arose through no fault of the Department and then the ordinary business ran on with rather more than the usual harmony.

THE PEESENT'POSITION. Though it would be too much to say every murmur of discontent has been silenced and every sign of unrest removed, there can question the atmosphere has been considerably cleared by a frank exchange of opinions. A general election before the allotted time is no longer even a possibility of the near future. Liberals no less than Eeformers recognise there now is no alternative to a National Government in war-time. Sir Joseph Ward, the only man who can be thought of in the House as capable of handling the increasing difficulties of finance, is committed to the arrangements and ' though it may involve kis extinction j as a party leader he is bound to stand' by his colleagues. That there will be changes of a very radical character when the next election does come there can be no shadow of doubt, but the country is not ready for them yet and even the most restless of the members are beginning to realise it would resent being thrust into a contest for which it is not prepared.)