PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 286, 7 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

WEliLlNGTON.Va^liigliir/*' A meeting of Opposition members was held last night, when twenty-two were present. The meeting was hold partly witli a view to introduce the new members to each, .other, ami the party as. a whole. Nothing definite was decided upon in r,ega.rd to the approaching session. Saturday's Post contained the fol-r lqwing : — Members of Parliament will, meet informally on Monday. A .number of representatives have already arrived, and, the majority of the Auckland contingent leaves in. a special train at 4 o'clock to-day They are expected to reach! ''"Wellington at 11 o'clock to-mor-row. \ ' . .•■_.,.. .. ■ Meantime there is a good deal of speculation as to the course ! events will . take during the •next few days. Previous statements that Sir Joseph Ward will attend the Defence Conference in London, and that tlve actual work before Parliament, will be relegated to a. summer session, accord- ! mg-to well-informed authorities, seem to still hold good. , Tlio leader of the Opposition (Mr j W. l - F. Massey) left Auckland last I night, and will arrive in, Wellington I shortly after 4 'p.m. to-day.: v A caui cus of the Opposition party : will' be held this evening, and a decision come | to regarding' the attitude Mr Massey's following will take up on Monday. There is still a good deal of doubt as to whether the proceedings on Moni day will be open to the press .of not. lit certain quarters it is known that there is a, desire that the proceedings i shall be held in camera,- but it is also known thatcertain members will vigorously oppose any proposal to exclude the press. ■;..■'. . So far no intimation has been made that there is to be a caucus of the Government party prior to the general gathering ,of all members. Some members of the Government, whilo distinctly stating that Sir Joseph is the jiroper' representative of New Zealand at the^confereiice, are of opinion that the important work before Parliament should not be delayed; but the best information available leads to the conclusion that when t3ie whole matter is * thoroughly threshed out> the Premier will have the neeessiAj* followers to carry the day. Undoubtedly there are sonic' who hold a-, contrary view. Whatever is decided on Monday it is clear that.* jjtnipther struggle will take place ;oll%#tO!i/ ins^' ■■■' V Humor has it that some of the meml>ers of Mr Massoy's. party, who are reported 'to havo .favored' ihex {Premier's proposal have been "hardened up," and that a prolonged discussion may bo looked for when 1 the ...Government submits its .appropriation pro-;, posals and Dreadnought resolution to -Parliament. • " r -, .; '. : ' '; : !