THE SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1924, Page 8

THE SESSION

PARTIES GETTING READY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ' APPOINTMENTS. With the session opening a week tomorrow, the political brook, which has been purling along during the recess,- is now beginning to babble, and very short- '< Iy it will. sweU into a turbulent torrent. Among the early possibilities are the appointment of new Legislative Councillors. Since last* session two members of the Legislative Council—the Hon. C. Louisson and the Hon. Dr. A. K. Newman—have passed away, and the former Speaker of the House of •Representa.tives, the Hon. Sir "Frederick Lang; has been appointed to the Upper House. ' The question of Legislative Council appointments was referred to the Prime Minister (the- Right Hon. W.- F. Massey) by a "Post" reporter this afternoon, and Mr. Massey replied that he was not in .1 position to make any statement about the Council. It is expected that the Liberal-Labour Party's caucus'will be held next week, and, meantime, .'there is much speculation in political circles as to the identity of what is termed the "mystery man"—' the possible new Loader of the Liberal-; Labour Party, or the'leader of a possible new political party, styled the "Young New Zealand. Party." . ! ° The Reform Party's caucus may not be called together until after the opening of the session; which those in the Government ranks anticipate will last for about four months—if nothing untoward happens 'in the meantime. There is a suggestion abroad that a' new Minister may be appointed to relieve the -present Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie), whose health'has not been robust for some months past The names of Mr. A. D.'M'Leod, member for Wairarapa; a practical farmer, has been mentioned asa likely new Minister. . ■ '„ I