BENCH MATES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18571, 22 December 1925, Page 12

BENCH MATES.

MR FORBES AND MR ATMORE. MEMBERS OF HOUSE TICKETING SEATS. ' (special to "tkb press.") WELLTKGTON, December 21. An indication of the trend of the Opposition Parties in the new Parliament is perhaps given by the ticketing of seats., BO far as has gone. Not only haa there been a great overflow from the Government side to tho benches across the main aisle, formerly occupied by the Labour Party, but there has been a strange shuffling of bench mates on the Opposition side of the House. For instance, Mr Forbesj the Leader of the National Party, who. wo may presume, will be the official Opposition, has with him in the seat of honour on the front bench,_ Mr Harry Atmore, the Independent member for Nelson. In line with them on the right-hand front bench will sit side by aide Sir Joseph Ward and Mr T. M. Wilford, former leaders of the Liberals. The front Opposition bench on tho left will be occupied by Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, and Mr P. Fraser, Labour member for Wellington Central. ThiiS those two bitterly opposed political enemies, Messrs Atmore and Holland, will Be next to each other in the new House, thotagh not actually sitting on the same bench. Sir Joseph Ward has taken Mr Ngata's seat, so the latter will now probablv be a back bencher, ali all events for the present. Another somewhat significant facts is that Mr T. K. Stfev, formerly the first lieutenant of the Opposition Leader, has now taken a beak seat. Oh tho whale, it would seem that there may not be absolute cohesion in the new Opposition. Among those who have taken a Beat oh the old Labour benches is Mf David Jones who. it is generally anticipated, *il! be in Mr Coates's new Ministry. The new Cabinet tnTl noi tte announced until early in ttm New Year.