The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3591, 2 August 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1912.

It will be noticed that a verv intcr-

estiwg, and almost

An Interesting Position.

vuv to> unique, position has been reached • :4.k

in connection with the work of Parliament. As lias been duly reported, Mr Massey 'and bis colleagues met the House on Wednesday last. Things have, however, been unusually peaceful so far, for, with the exception of an Imprest Supply Bill, no other Government- measures can, under the circumstances, yet he brought forward. Ordinarily such a measure as an Imprest Supply Bill would be the subject of a great deal of discussion, and not infrequently, as is also well known, there is moved upon a measure of the kind an amendment aimed at a weak spot in the armour of the Government of the day. But on this occasion, after a few sharp exchanges on points relating to the position as regards certain loans, etc., the House agreed, to grant the request of the new Government without further delay. Apart from that matter, the most important busines, so far as the Government is concerned, has been the decision to appoint the Hon. T. Mackenzie as High

Commissioner for the Dominion. In consequence of his acceptance of the position, the present Leader of the Opposition will, in the course of a fortnight or so, resign, with the result that, within the next six weeks or so, the country will be in the throes of what should prove ail even more interesting by-election than that which took place at Rangitikei some two- 1 and-a-half years ago. Reverting to ' the present, position in Parliament, it will be observed that both the Houses were yesterday practically “marking time,” as no Government measures will be laid beforo the House until Tuesday, when tiro Financial Statement (which will contain the policy of the new Government) will be brought down. With the exception of the ordinary formal .business both Houses had, therefore, only private members’ bills to engage their attention yesterday. In connection with the position that has arisen the Hon. H. D. Bell, it will be seen, remarked in the Upper Chamber that such an interesting state of affairs had not occurred within the memory of most of the present day legislators ! But with the advent of the Budget next week matters political may, of course, be expected to ! brighten up very considerably. If the strength of the Massey Government is to l)c tried in the immediate future it will assuredly be in the course of the debate which will follow the presentation of this important document. Upon whom then among the opponents of the Reform Party is the duty of moving an adverse proposition likely to devolve? That will be an extremely interesting matter for settlement within the next few days by members of the Opposition side of the House. Now that the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie is just about to leave for Home, the Opposition have apparently got no settled leader. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Myers and Mr Russell, it has been reported, will for . a day or two divide between them the duties appertaining to the leadership of the “Outs.” When it comes to the holding of another caucus it would, however, not cause any surprise if none of the gentlemen named is asked to take up the. position. But an even more important problem remains to be solved, viz : What will be the result of any test division at the present time? It win. of course, all depend on the character of the new policy proposals. Will they have the effect of bringing about the addition to the Reform party of the freeholders among the “Liberals”? or will they occasion a fusion of the “Moderates” on the Opposition side of the House with the present Government? or will the result he that parties will be left very | much as they are at the present juncture? For our own part we feel that it must be generally anticipated that Mr Massey will again be found to posses a substantial majority. As to how many, it is of course difficult to forecast, for on the one hand there are reliability “authorities” who estimate the margin at six or eight votes but others who also declare that they have “inside information” are expressing the view that the Reform party, after it presents its policy in detail, will be found to have a majority of about twenty! All anxiety on these important matters will, however, be relieved in the course of the next week or two.