LABOUR CAUCUS

Evening Star, Issue 22202, 3 December 1935, Page 8

LABOUR CAUCUS

IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF MEMBERS l HEALTHY INFUSION OF YOUTH HKSH CONFIDENCE IN LEADER [Special to the ‘ Star.'] WELLINGTON, December 3. Coming face to face with Labour’s big parliamentary battalion when it gathered at Parliament Buildings for the caucus this morning, one was impressed with the youthfulness of the party. It has iqany veterans, but there is a heavy reinforcement of youth. Cheerfulness was natural under the circumstances, and for an hour before the meeting commenced there were congratulatory groups spread around the corridors. The party mustered first for a photograph, and as its members walked out one asked 4 “ Is this a caucus or a route march?”

It was an impressive spectacle in numbers, and when the caucus began in the privacy of the Labour Whip’s room it totalled 58.

One significant feature was the presence of prominent Labour personages who are not in the parliamentary representation. There was Mr James Rpberts (head of the Alliance of Labour), Mr T, Bloodworth (the Auckand Labour veteran who has been successful in the municipal sphere), while as a matter of course the Hon. M. Fagan and the Hon, T, O’Byrne, Legislative Councillors associated with the Labour Party, were invited to the caucus. It is expected that the gathering will last throughout the day, and no indication of the new; Cabinet is yet possible.

Members of the National Government were all in the Parliament Buildings to-day, busy clearing up to make ready for their successors. Piles of discarded documents required many parcel hampers for their desptach to the destructor.

The following members of the National Executive not in Parliament were present:—Messrs J. Roberts, P. M. Butler, G. T. Thurston, P. Dowes, A. Spurr, T. Brindle, and D. Wilson (assistant secretary), also Mr Rangi Mawhete (representing the Maoris). A large number of congratulatory cablegrams from Great Britain, Australia, and Canada were read, including one from Major Douglas. “Was everyone present?” Mr P. Fraser was asked.

“ Well, if anyone was absent we didn’t notice it,” he replied with a laugh. “ You see, we have such a big party now.” Mr Fraser was subjected to goodnatured comments by pressmen, who suggested that there was “ a strange reticence ” in the official report. Mr Fraser laughingly replied that he hoped that the Labour Government was not going to resort to a policy of always replying: “The matter will be given our consideration,” and assured newspapermen that everything of interest had been, reported. Mr Savage broke in to say that the Labour Government would treat the newspapers fairly in. matters of news interest, as it was a part of Labour’s policy to keep the people informed. “ We shall not run away from anyone, not even the newspapers,” he added, with a smile.

In circles which, have no connection with the caucus there is much speculation regarding the personnel of the Cabinet and the allocation of portfolios, but, as no one knows anything, this speculation is idle at present.

The selection of the Labour Cabinet is evidently going to be the sole privilege of the Prime Minister elect. This point emerges unofficially from to-day’s caucus, which spent a considerable time expressing its loyalty to Mr Savage and complete confidence in his personal capacity, as well as a high appreciation of the manner in which he conducted the election campaign. It is well known that, following the democratic principle, Mr Savage would have been content to be guided in the selection of his first Ministry by the views of his parliamentary supporters, but they have such an enthusiastic belief in their leader that the elective Cabinet suggestion has, on their first meeting, gone by the board, though no formal decision, to that effect has been given.