LATE POLITICAL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 29 August 1919, Page 5

LATE POLITICAL.

| OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. ' DISAFFECTED LIBERALS. M'ESSRS HAN AN AND RUSSELL AS IN DEPENDEN'TS. SOUTH OTAGO HOSPITAL DISTRICT. " By Telegraph. (From Our Own 'Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 27. I'a rliamuai t opened to-day with much pomp ami ceremony. Admiral Jcllicoe ami lady were 1 present, with the' former '.-i staff. The opening ceremony took place, in the new Legislative l Chamber, which was fitted up for the purpose. It is not to be occupied) diuring- tlvei present session, as the plaster ami) other ornamentation are not yet dry enough. A great, deal of interest was taken-111 the ceremony by the public, which ciowdtd the galleries. There was 110 provision in- the old Legislative Chamber for men at tk> opening ceremony, but in the new one. .there are ample galleries for their use, and they were fully taken advantage of. Messrs Nash (Palinerston 1 North) and Simple (Wellington) l were both sworn in as new menrbers, taking the oath in tliei usual manner. 011 the fiist dlay there are always a large number of petitions, ami questions 1 . This session was iro exception to the. rule. The questions were on all kind.-: of subjects, but. principally bearing 11 pon soldiery' settlement.

Caucuses were held on Wednesday' of all parties. The public have been given a version by the leaders of what took place, 'but rumours current lead to the opinion that 1 half lias not 'boem. told regarding' both tliei Reform and Liberal meetings.

Mr fitatham has made: public that lie I was not present when a motion of confidence in l the leader of the Reform party was carried', and neither Mr Russell nor Mr Flanan attended the ljiheral caucus, these gentlemen intending to take lip am independent attitudv in future. Indeed', Mr Hainan's name is mentioned as a possible Minister in. Mr Massey's 'Government. Personally, I do wot. cfcdlit this, but it is said that Mr Hunan will n'ot at present identify himself with his former party, One thing is certain —that there is considerable dissatisfaction in both parties, and a. dissolution of the House is the only means of dealing the air. Mr Malcolm gave notice to introduce the (South Otago Hospital District Bill.