LEFT WING CHANCES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22983, 1 April 1940, Page 1 (Supplement)

LEFT WING CHANCES

LABOUR CAUCUS THIS WEEK CABINET APPOINTMENTS EXPECTED [From Our Own Reporter] WELLINGTON, March 31. . With the Labour Party 'to elect a Prime Minister, and the selection of the Cabinet to be made, the coming week promises to be the most interesting politically since the Government was first elected in 1935. Caucuses of both the Labour Party and the National Party will be held, and their decisions will clear the air at present heavily charged with suspense and rumours. All Ministers are expected to return to-morrow to Wellington from attend-' ing Mr Savage’s funeral, and a meeting of Cabinet has been fixed for 10 a.m. From it, Mr Fraser, as senior Minister, and also Deputy-Prime Minister, will probably be called to Government House by his Excellency the Governor-General and invited to form a Cabinet. Indications are that pending the meeting of caucus on either Wednesday or. Thursday, the present Ministry will be confirmed in office. Notices calling the caucus have not been issued yet. Not even those opposed to him within the party believe that Mr Fraser will delay holding the caucus, in spite of the policy of recent months of not holding meetings of the party to discuss policy moves. The leadership of the party has to be determined, and automatically the Prime Ministership without any delay. Individual desires of Labour members seem to be largely influencing their opinions as to what is likely to happen in the coming week. Assessments of the strength of the Left wing vary. Although adherents of the Left wing believe that a strong swing to the Left will be disclosed at the caucus, the general opinion is that Mr Fraser will become New Zealand’s thirtyninth Prime Minister. A favourite pastime with members has been drawing up lists of those likely to vote Right and Left, and the most reasonable compilations give the voting strength of the Left wing at about 20. There are a number of Labour Party members whose views have not been, openly expressed, but they will be forced to show their hands at the caucus. That Mr Fraser will be opposed for the Prime Ministership is certain, but a tinge of pessimism as to the outcome of the voting now marks Left wing speculations. One Left wing member explained his pessimism by remarking, “I have seen how his party machine works before, and I am not optimistic, because I have seen some amazing things happen in caucus.’’ The Left wing as a whole is, however, confident that its voting strength will compel Mr Fraser to concede them a seat or two in the Cabinet. Those of the group who are brimming over with confidence estimate that if no defections are made from their ranks when the vote takes place, they are likely to capture up to six seats. The general opinion though, is that they are over-optimistic.