WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1920, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE PARTIES. SOME STORIES. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Sept. 13. A number of more or lees hyperbolic stories are in circulation, suggesting grave dissensions within the ranks of the Liberal Party. One of thenij alleges, with a wealth of detail, that Mr. Wilford was elected leader on a catch vote, not, more than half the members of the party being present at the caucus or having had an opportunity to attend. Some colour is given to this story by what happened in the House of Representatives on Friday night, when Mr. Oieorgc Witty on Vicing reminded that his party leader had agreed to an arrangement of which he was disapproving, retorted that Mr. W-ilford was not his leader. It seems probable now, however, that the member for Riccavton intended merely to protest, against any leader being allowed to abrogate the right of a private member to discuss the Estimates in any way he pleased, not to renounce his allegiance to the Liberal Party. THE NEW LEADER. But whether Mr. Witty is satisfied or not with the new Liberal leader, there appears to be no easy alternative to Mr. Wilford. To begin with, the member for Hutt lias the great advantage of having been nominated acting leader of the party during the late Mr. W. I). S. MaeDonald's temporary absence from Wellington. Mr. Mac Donald's judgment, everyone recognises, is entilled to respect. Then Mr. Forbes and Mr. Sidney, whose claims to promotion were at, laast as strong as those of Mr. Wiltord, made it known they were not candidates for the position. On his own account, the member for Hutt is recognised as one of the readiest and i»o:.t eipable debaters in the House, and with comparative youth he has more t»<m twenty-years' experience of the inside of Parliament. These are assets of no mean order. THE REFORMERS.

In view of what has happened since, it is interesting to recall that when Mr. V.'flford was suggested as a member of the National Cabinet Mr. Maasey objected to his inclusion among the nominees of Sir Joseph Ward. Just what objection the I'rime Minister nrgtd against this vigorous young man, the public was not permitted to know, but apparently it had disappeared three years later when a vacancy in tlie Ministry occurred and his name again was submitted io (he head of the Government. Pcrlsups Mr. Massey had come to recognise in the interval that the hustling- ways and vigorous speech of Mr. Wilford -were typical of the r.ew conditions created by the war, and that they were compelling recognition from those in authority. In this . connection, the difference between Mr. Masscy's old colleagues and his new, has a very striking significance. LABOR. Though Mr. Wilford all through his political career has been well disposed towards Labor, and never more so than at the pro-ent time, Mr. Holland and his colleagues of the Official Labor Party are not yet showing any disposition to draw nearer to the Liberal Party under its new leader than they did under its old. As a matter of fact the late Mr. Mac Donald commanded respect and regard from all sections of the Labor Party, and Mr. Wilford will be fortunate should lie continue to stand as well with them as did his predecessor. Meanwhile the Official Labor Party remain-; one of Mr. Massey's greatest assets, in that it keeps alive the haunting fear of extreme ' socialism, direct action and the rest, and commends Reform as the only safe refuge in the country's hour of peril. And Mr. Massev, it must be admitted, is handling the position extraordinarily well.