POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 105, 19 January 1923, Page 4

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

A PROTEST FROM THE LABOUR PARTY

AND THE PRIME MINISTER’S

REPLY

The Primo Minister has received and has replied to a communication in which the lender cf the Parliamentary Labour Party protests against delay in the summoning o' Parliament. A copy of the correspondence follows: — Westport, January 18, 1923. Rt. Bon. Prime Minister, Wellington.

Parliamentary Labour Party desire respectfully to enter strongest possible protest against delay in calling Parliament together. Verdict of December 7 constituted emphatic no-con-fidence vote in present Government, and Labour Partly hold Government as alternative to resigning should meet Parliament earliest moment, certainly not later than middle February. (Sgd.) H. E. HOLLAND. Wellington, January 18, 1928. FI. E. Holland, Esq., M.P., Westport.

Your telegram received. I quite understand the constitutional position, and will act in accordance with it. You are In error in thinking that the verdict of December 7 constituted an emphatic declaration cf no-confidence in the Government. On the contrary it constituted a declaration that the people of New Zealand would on no account tolerate a Government which might be assisted to office bv, or in any way. placed under an obligation to, the Socialistic Labour Party. (Sgd.) W. F. MASSEY.

It is understood that the Prime Minister has in no way departed from his intention of meeting the House in a short session to be held within the next month ,or two. Probably it will bo impossible for the House to meet before March, owing to the fact that three petitions have to be heard before the issue of the general election can be regarded as finally known. Even in Opposition circles, one gathers, it is anticipated that the Government will receive enough support to enable it to carry on. A Liberal journal has estimated that after the appointment of a Speaker the Government may have a majority of three.