PARLIAMENT OVER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 2 March 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT OVER.

THE AMENDMENT LOST. MR. VEITCH GOES WITH THE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. Mr. G. M. Thompson moved as an amendment that the House should adjourn until March 14, by which date lie thought it was possible for the Party to form a Ministry. Sir Joseph Ward said it was impossible for a new Ministry to formulate a policy within two weeks. Messrs. Escott and Lee said the country was entitled to know the personnel of the new Ministry before a prorogation ,of Parliament. , Mr. Massey's amendment was put and lost on the voices. ' The debate was continued on Mr. Thompson's amendment by Messrs. Fisher and Buchanan, who held that the only solution of the present difficulty was the declaration of the iew Ministry. The amendment was lost on a division by 40 votes to 38, and tlje session ended^ The division was the same as on Tuesday, except that Mr. Veitch voted for the Government.

PROROGATION GAZETTED. Wellington, Last Night. A Government Gazette issued to-day notifies that Parliament has been prorogued until March 30. WHO WILL BE PREMIER? The Hon. T. Mackenzie is freely spoken of as the coming leader, though it is stated that there are objections to his freehold leanings, but that really commends him to many others, telegraphs the Wellington correspondent of the Eltham Argus. What does not appear to have been considered yet is whether Mr. Mackenzie would accept the position of Prime Minister. He is certainly not "after it," for he fully recognises the difficulties that now assail'the position. The Opposition professes to be confident that whatever Ministry may be formed it cannot last long, and that soon there must b.» another election. Against this Ministerialists say the recent debate exposed numerous misrepresentations made by the Opposition during the election campaign, that the eyes of electors have been opened and that a vigorous platform campaign by the Liberal Party would assure them of,a sound majority at the next election, whenever it came.