ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1915, Page 4

ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

NATIONAL CABINET, j. . (By Telegraph.—Special to Daily Ncw».) . Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Masscy and Sir Joseph Ward were closeted together till a late hour tonight, presumably disciuirag the co»stitution of the National Cabinet, in which they are to be associated, but when they saw the reporters it was only to say that nothing was available to communicate. The Prime Minister in* diciited that it was unlikely that the personnel of the new Government would be announced before to-morrow evening. In the meantime speculation goes on as merrily as ever, though the "probables" on the Liberal side have Ibeft) reduced to half a dozen namos, and it is generally understood that Sir Francis Bell and Mr. tthodes will be the retiring Mini*tcra. LIBERAL REPKBSENTATITES. The popular prediction, is that Jfr. Ruasell, MV. Myers and Mir. MacDonaid arc certain to accompany Sir Joseph Ward into the Cabinet room, and that the fifth Liberal representative will be citlwar Mr. H'an&n or Mr. SSdey. Df. McNab and Mr. WiKord, mode it known at tiie very beginning of the negotiations that they were not aspirants for a place in a National Cabinet, and Mr. Veiteh, who might perhaps have been offered a' portfolio, decided to stand by the resolutions of the Labor P&4y *° a«opt no place in the combination. Those three gentlemen entirely approve of what tbe Leader of the Opposition has done, and will give the National Cabinet hewty support, but Dr. McNab and. Mr. Wilford think that they can best serve the interests of their party as private members, .and Mr, Veitch wishes to respect the views of the members with whom he is associated ia the House. TOE REFORM SACRIFICES.'

It is reported that Sir Francis Bell, who Ims so ably led die Legislative Council during the past throo years, hag offered himself up aa a sacrifice to the cause of peace, and will go Home to succeed Mr. Justice Williams in hU high judicial capacity, or, in the alternative, relieve the Hon. T. Macktaisie of toe High CowmL»ionership. Whichever position he may occupy, it will be W«ll filled. Rumor goes to to nay that the Hon. A. Tj. Herajman will take charge of the Council, continuing to hold his present portfolios, and that the Hon. H. H. Rhodes, toy his expressed wish, will retain his place in the House as a private member. This arrangement would leave the House with four Reformers and live liberals tho Treasury benches, but, of course, Mr. Heniman would join his colleagues in the Cabinet room and make the representation of the parties equal. It seems so delightfully simple that lobby gossips are wondering why it was not adopted Jong ago.