THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 6

THE SESSION.

STARTLING RUMOURS,

•THE PREMIER'S DESPERATE EFFORT.

• WHAT MEMBERS THINK,

i'Membora of Parliament are flocking to town in readiness for the opening of the session, which takes placo to-morrow afternoon. About fifty have arrived. It is pretty generally recognised that tho Ward Government will be defeated on a no-con-fidenco motion to bo moved by Mr. MasBey. After that tho uncertainty begins, some members believing that Mr. Massey ;will bo able to carry on as head of the Government throughout tho normal Parliamentary form, whilo others decline to 'hazard a guess as to what may happen 'after Mr. Massey becomes Premier. There is no doubt that tho members do liot want a dissolution, and it is understood that there are a few on the side of the present Governmont who will consider themselves absolved from their allegiance ouco it has ceased to be a Government.

7 A story was circulated yesterday to tho effect that the division on a noc'unfideucc motiou, moved by Mr. Massey, would be found to bo exactly oven—39 votes on each side—and that the Speaker's casting vote would giro tho victory to the Government. This result, it was eaid, was. to como about through Sir Joseph .Ward having promised to Labour members that he would put forth in advanced policy. The idea was that ho jrould secure in this way the votes of Messrs. Robertson, Payne, and Hindmarsh, and it was assumed that all tho Independents would also support him. This pretty story is generally discredited, ■because Sir Joseph Ward could only, bring off such a coup by persuading certain members to vote contrary to the promises which they niado u few weeks ago to. their constituents. There is, however, some fairly solid ground for believing that the Governor's Speech will contain a policy announcement of an "advanced" character,'designed to secure the Labour vote. One thing is certain, namely, that every possible pressure is being brought to bear upon the Labour men and the Independents notwithstanding tho pledges they 'have already made.

The Probable Programme, It is^.not expected that the result of the division on a no-confidence motion can be obtained before the middle of next -week, if then. Parliament will bo opened l>y. Commission' to-morrow afternoon —the usual procedure at the commencement of a new Parliament. The Commissioners will be three of the senior members of tho Legislative Council. The House will then elect its Speaker, and it is understood that Sir Arthur Guinness will be reelected unopposed. The Governor's Speech will bo delivered in the Legislative Council Chamber on Friday afternoon. The members of the House will then return to their own Chamber, and notice will be Kiven to move the Address-in-R-eply. Mr. Alassey may then give notice of an amendment, which will be the fateful no-confi-dence motion. Tho debate could be commenced on Friday afternoon, but it is generally assumed that it will not be tekon until Tuesday. It is expected that the session will last until about the end of tho week.

, Party Meetings, ■. A meeting-of. the Itcform party was held last evening, and was attended by »J1 (he members of the party except one. 'A motion was unanimously carried congratulating Mr. M'assc.r as loader, on the improved position of tho party, and tho success of tho election campaign. Mr. XL H. Rhodes, who was Junior 'Whip in the last Parliament, was appointed Senior .Whip for the coming session. The.meet-, in;; was described as undoubtedly the best Tarty liicctiiig for many ycSrrs; and members were accordingly enthusiastic. One member remarked to a Dominion reporter that never nt any time in tho history of the party liad it been so solid and united as at prescut. A story was current yesterday that n rattens of Labour members had been held during the day, hut. Mr. Payne (Grey Ly'iinl stated, on being questioned, that tlio,story was incorrect. It was probable, he admitted, that a. caucus would bo held before the session opened, but no definite arrangements for'Mich a meetins hailthen been made. It is known, howrver, that Labour members conferred, during the day, presumably informally, .with Labour members of the Upper House. A meeting of (he Government party swill be held to-day. Cabinet met yesterday, but nothing was disclosed.

. The Labour Members. Mr. J. Robertson, member for Otakl, ian being interviewed, volunteered u. denial of the following statement, published in tho "Evening l'ost" yesterday:— . "Tho advanced policy of tho Government has, it is stated, been so far disclosed as to meet with the approval of the majority of tho Labour members, and it is now practically certain that Sir Joseph Ward has secured their adhesion on the understanding that he endeavours to give legislative effect to certain aims and aspirations of .that party."

This statement, said Mr. Eobertson, was i incorrect, if, as. seemed to be implied, he Was ono of • the .Labour, members indicated.- So far as he knew the statement did not apply correctly to any Labour member. -In his opinion the position bad not altered," but was just as it had been.- His own position was certainly unaltered. He was not pledged to support either party,, but was pledged to vote, against tho Ward Government. In addition to this, he was definitely pledged to voto against a Massey Government on the platform submitted by the Reform party at the last general elecliou. Further than this, said Mr. Robertson, he was not prepared to go at the moment, j Me would consult with his colleagues ill regard to any future situation that might arise. "I recognise," said Sir. Eobertson, in conclusion, "that the Labour partv ,' has nothing to gain by a dissolution at \ an early date." j Mr. AV. A. Veitch, member, for Wanga- ! nui.'made a brief! ut definite'statement. "I am pledged to.voto against the present Government." he said, "and will , certainly do so. That being done, and if they g'.i out, I am a free man, and will associate myself with the party that will best advance the platform for which I stand." ■Mr. ,T. Payne, member for Grey Lynn, declined to make any announcement regarding the position ho would take in the pending no-eoiihdenco division.

The Independents. Mr. T. W. Rhodes, the now member for I'lkmups, is one of those who were elected as Independent Libprals, but under a pledge to v.ite with the Government on a. no-conlidcnce issue. Sneaking to a reporter yesterday Mr. Rhodes defined the position that ho takes up. He is pledged, not to Sir .Joseph Ward, but to his constituents, to vote with the Government on a motion of want of confidence, but having once so voted. Mr. Rhodes states, he will consider himself free to vote afterwards as he may think fit. For Instance, il is finite an open question as lo how he will vote if. the Ward Min-i-try having been displaced, Sir Joseph Ward subsequently moves a vote of want of confidence in a Massey Ministry. Tho fate of the Ward Administration having been once decided, Mr. Rhodes will vote in any future division as his judgment may determine. Tho member for Thames is pledged to support the freehold. "I am a Liberal and not a Conservative," ho remarked yesterday, "but I don't think that any party will attempt to revive the Conservatism of five-and-twonty years ago." Mr. declares himself more concerned about measures than about men. He desires to see a stable Liberal Government established in New Zealand and is comparatively indifferent as to who may load it, so long as its policy meets with his approval. That is the gist of hi~ statement.

Mr. R. J. G. Coates (Kaipara), questioned as to his political attitude, said he had nothing to add to his election pledges. On the first straight-out want-of-eonfi-doncc -motion he would vote for the Ward Government. Later, on any motion of want of confidence in the Ward Government .based on its land policy, the Civil Service, or Native lands he would vote against the Government. Jf n Massey Government came into" power, ct-d a vote

of no-confidence was moved, ho could not say at present what ho would do. He reserved hi.s right to act as ho thought tit at tho time.

Mr. 11. Atinore, member for Nelson, when ho was asked to define the attitude lie would take up, stated that the character of the impending no-confidence, motion would guide him in casting his vote. He was a freeholder, and stood tor limitation of area and for a stiff graduated land tax. Ho would maintain his position tis an Independent, and would dcdlino to 1 ally himself with any party. Members in Town. Members of Parliament already in tow.n include tho Premier and all the Ministers, tho local members, and Messrs. W. f\ Mussey. W. 11. Hemes. J. Allen, F. W. Lang. T. W. Modus, J. Bollard. P,. F. Bollard. J. 11. Bradnov, A. M. Myers, V. It. L'ecd, It. J. G. Coales, F. Marnier, J. S. Dicksun, A. Harris, .1. Payne., C. K. Wilson, Dr. Pomare, W. D. S. Macdonald, E. Newman. D. H. Guthrie, 11. Poland, W. A. Vcitch, W. C. Buchanan. .). Hobertson, J. V. Brown, P. 11. Rhodes, H. Atmore. J. Colvin, T. E- Y. Scddon, Sir A. B. Guinness, Ct. "Witty, T. H. Davey, H. Cr. Ell, AV. Nosworthy, F. H. Smith, E. P. Lee, T. Buxton, W. Frasor, G. .T. Anderson, A. S. Malcolm, I!. Scott, G. M. Thomson, J. C. Thompson, J. A. Hannn, C. E. Statham, G. Laurenson, D. Buick, ,1. B. Hine, G. V. Pearee, T. K. Sidey.

. Mr. Massoy's progress towards Wellington was in the nature of a triumphal procession, and there ran be no doubt that from Auckland to .Wellington the feeling in his favour has grown tremendously since the general election.