POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 52, 19 July 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

TWO BIG QUESTIONS. By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Last Night. The subject of the appointment of a High Commissioner was referred to by the Prime Minister to-day. It was pointed out to him that rumors are in circulation regarding the appointment, some of them of a very distinct character. Mr. Massey said the question had not yet been considered by Cabinet. So far the Cabinet had been concerned in dealing with a very great deal of routine work that had now been practically overtaken, and the Government would then enter 011 the consideration of matters of policy. One of the first of those questions would be the appointment of a High Commissioner, but up to the present nothing had been done.

The same answer was given to a question as to whether the Government contemplated the appointment of new members of the Legislative Council. All that could be said at present was that it was proposed to bring down a Bill this session dealing with the reform of the Council. As to the lines 011 which that measure would go 'he was not at present in a position to make any statement.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. It is understood that ill'. Lang, member for Manukau, will be appointed Chairman of Committees when the House re-assembles. Mr. Lang is a kindly, courteous gentleman, well acquainted with the procedure of the House. For years he has been a consistent supporter of the Government, and was looked upon as a likely candidate for Cabinet rank. Evidently the Government has found that the present position is the best that it can find to offer him. NO MORE LIGHTHOUSES. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Marine, states that it has been decided not to erect a lighthouse at Three Kings. The cost would be great, and it is considered that with careful navigation there is no danger. The Mackenzie Cabinet had decided against erecting a light at the Three Kings, and he Fisher) had no intention of asking the present Government to vary that decision.

GOING OVER TO LABOR. SOME OF THE EX-MINISTERS. It is agreed by politicians on all sides (says tho Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald), that some of the members who followed Mr. T. Mackenzie in the late crisis, including several cxMinisters, will probably join the Labor party at an early date. The Labor representatives in the House entertain the idea that there is more in the suggested transfer of allegiance than a mere change of one political party to another. The rules of the United Labor party provide in the clearest possible terms that every Labor candidate must first of all stand his chance at a selection ballot with other aspirants for the seat, which he wishes to contest. Several of the Liberal members who contemplate going over to Labor have a fairly good hold in their districts, and it is unlikely that they will agree to take their chance at a selection ballot. There is reason to believe that tentative proposals have already been made, with a view to securing some modification of the Labor party rules in regard to the admission of sitting members.

The present Labor members do not seem to see exactly eye to eye with one, another in this matter. One of them, on being spoken to, simply said the rule must stand in the meantime, although it might possibly be revised at the next annual conference of the party, and naturally he admitted sonic allowance would be made for the claims of members who at present hold seats, and 'this would, ho considered, have it due influence at the selection ballot. Another Labor member, who was approached, took a much more decided view. In his opinion, he said, it was essential that the growth of the political Labor party in Parliament should not be hindered by any obstructive rules. There would have to be some relaxation of the rule in regard to selection, so far as sitting members wore concerned.

Amongst the members of tlie lately dominant party who are named as likely to join the Labor ranks, are Mr. G. Laurenson, Mr. T. H. Davey, Mr. 11. G. Ell and Mr. J. A. Hanan.

It has been generally understood since the conference of the United Labor party a "few months ago that an understanding acceptable to all members of the party had been arrived at in regard to the pledge which political candidates of the party are required to take. At the conference, a new form of pledge was adopted. Tho old membership pledge and candidates' pledge were brought together, and a clause was added by which member* of the party agreed to act and rote in concert when the fate of a Government was at stake. In this form the pledgo now has to be taken by all persons who join the party, whether they intend to become political candidates or not, and there is good authority for saying that the pledge question has not been satisfactorily settled, and that when an opportunity arises some present members of the party and some who are as yet prospective members, will do all they can to secure tho complete abandonment of the pledge, as a feature in the political organisation of the Labor party.

One Labor man remarked the other day that a party unable to command support without a pledge was not worth supporting, and there is every reason to believe that he is not aloue in holding this opinion. There are strong supporters of the Labor movement who believe that it will never make any real advance until tlie pledge has been abolished.