COMING SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 26, 31 January 1923, Page 6

COMING SESSION

ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER

LABOUR PARTY'S MEETING.

,Prepartions ,are row being ma.de for the assembling of Parliament next Wednesday, and with the approach of the session there is a noticeable quickening of interest in the political situation. There is undoubtedly a general feeling that Mr. Massey will be able to carry on, but the basis for this remains somewhat vague. Even if the Liberal-Labour Party/ led by Mr. Wilford, declines to agree to co-operate ' with the Reform Party, Mr. Massey may still be able to count an a majority of at least two. Significance is still attached to the fact that Messrs. Bell and Witty have taken seats on the Government side, and there is a belief that they, with Mr. Isitt, will vote for Mi-: Massey on a no-confi-dence motion moved by either Mr. Wilford or the leader of the Labour Party.

The Liberal-Labour Party has not yet considered the motion which was passed at the Reform Party's meeting inviting co-operationy but will presumably do so when it meets in Wellington on Monday next. If the Government agreed to cooperate with the Liberals in the particular directions of electoral and fianancial reform it is thought that an understanding, might be arrived at, but even then, the details of the arrangements might give rise to considerable negotiations.

The first business of the Session will be the election of the Speaker of the House >of Representatives. In this connection only one name is now freely mentioned, that of Mr. C. E. Statham. A surprise might be in store, but those who closely follow politics do nob think so. The Speaker will be elected on Wednesday, arid the Speech from the Throne will be delivered dn Thursday. It is, not anticipated that the Session will extend beyond.a fortnight.

Members of the Parliamentary i Labour Party will meet next Tuesday when the leader of the party will be chosen. The present leader is Mr. H. Holland, and on former occasions he has secured the leadership by a very narrow margin. In view of the new blood which has been infused into the party as a resnlt of the December elections, the choice of a leader on this occasion will be followed with added interest. .