TEN MONTHS’ RECESS

Evening Star, Issue 18543, 28 January 1924, Page 6

TEN MONTHS’ RECESS

DOMINION POLITICS QUIET. Soon after the departure of the Prime Minister for the Imperial Conference {writes the Auckland ‘ Star’s ’ Welling ton corespondent). Government supporters made no ’ secret of the fact that they expected a general election this year. The Prime' Minister, they said, was tired of indications of independence in his own party, and of the uncertainty of the position in the House, where no is dependent on the support of members not subject to the usual party discipline. The situation was always uncertain, and his supporters felt that it could be resolved in favor of the Government by another appeal to the country. A committee of Government members was formed for the purpose of conducting a platform campaign throughout New Zealand, and several addresses were given by members who travelled out of their own constituencies for that purpose. The Liberal Party announced a vigorous platform campaign to commence about this date. Meanwhile the Labor Party had commenced organising, and its parliamentary group is still busy in various parts of the dominion. But the whole atmosphere has changed. Instead of activity behind the scenes, there is now a calm, at any rate in the Reform and Liberal circles. The idea of an imminent election has vanished. It is suggested by those closely interested in politics at headquarters that the example of the British appeal to the country has not been lost on the Prime Minister, and that the recent extension of the recess, which had to be done by ‘ Gazette ’ notice, signfies the Prime Minister’s intention not to call Parliament together until near the end of June, when his appropriations will run out. If this eventuates, as seems almost certain, the dominion will have _ managed to get along without the advice and aid of its Legislature for the unprocedepted period of ton months. A meeting of the executive of the Liberal Party is being called in Wellington at an early date by Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the party, with a view to formulating details of the political campaign throughout the dominion, thus indicating that although the political «Ti- - ‘i.-'n lias been unusually quiet, it is .likely to become more interesting in wear future.