POLITICAL.

Grey River Argus, 26 June 1906, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Special to The Argus— By Electric ; : Telegraph— Copyright.

SESSIONAL NOTES

i^jVELLINGTON, June 25 There^§|!| now seven - less members «in the Legislative CouhciT than- at this time last year. The' Hons LeeSmith, and J. M. Twomey went ; out last year and the Hons F. H. Fraser aud Hugh Gourley last week. The Hpn Lee-Smith is certain of reappointment together with Dr Collins of .-Wellington and Sir William Russell. Death has removed the Hons Kenny, Taiaroa and Pinkerton. There is a . decided feeling that Mahuta, who/is nominally a member of the Cabinet, should be dispensed with to 'make room for a -stronger appointment. In any ca.se Mahuta's appointment ..failed -to achieve. its object of conciliating the King jiatives. When Parliament meets it; will be asked .to, pass .supplies \f or two months and .then adjourn ''to about August 21st to enable; Sir Jil G. Ward to prepare • his policy . : th;e: speakership . : . ; There is Tnot much _likelihood of Mr Guinness being seriously opposed for the Speakership if he consents to be nominated and he will- almost certainly do so. •-% ■■■■■'■;■■"% The Post to-night, referring to the - , .vSpeakership ,says that some in wellinformed 1 political "circles feel assured ■ that Mr Guinness, who; is ; one of : the most experienced members of the _ party in power, is strongly in the run- '» ning for a ministerial portfolio: .It is therefore possible that one of; the de- ' yelppments' of the early stage pi : the first session of the new; parliament will be some excitement -over the election of a Speaker. ■' . ; ■ CABINET RECONSTRUCTION Replying to an interviewer : on ■> the subject of Cabinet reconstruction; the Hon T. Kennedy Macdonald -said-— ' If there is to be any large scheme; of reconstruction there is one things .very--3.'clear to^me and that is that Sir Joseph K Ward will vhave to ignore, to some -v extent, territorial and geographical *■"' distinctions in; tKe appointment ofnew ministers. 'V Parliament contains V large proportion : of. -very admirable members, .speaking generally, but very few of them have had the large- <■". experience of administration required to make a successful Minister of. the Crown. Sir Joseph Ward's choice, must necessarily be in the direction ■ tion of : getting the strongest and best men to assist; him-^--that is, if he is going to recast the Cabinet to any ex- • ■ -tent. ■---■■'. ; ;: .;;;.'^:--;- : '"---- ■ ■ - '=.; : \ ' THK OPPOSITION. :Mr v .Mai.s'seyys.fhe Leader of the Oppositioiv^; ■interviewed 'remarked— It : ; -rg.6es/..mthov.t;^saying:::;th_at\at/; : tne pre- •"."; sent ; juncture^-spme: -additions -to our •party would be welcome ; but there - is this fact to remember/ that though • ; ; the Opposition in ; H6use is small 'its supporters dp. the country are very - numerous \and pur. -respbrisibiii ties are all the greater'; Vin?.;consefluence. Though we were, beaten "badly at the elections in regard tcT the number .-; of members reined, there 'was '[' really hot -a great difference, between 'the- . number of electors who^s.uppprted the ; Gpvernment: and those who .\yoted ■for the Opposition ' candidates.-':' aln re-: • gafd to the jpolitical reform; league Mr/. Massey "said— "The organisation wiirgb;«n. i; ;/rhere is at least need ;fprc;it;;as ;eyer there was. ; We iare fi^hting.jffor^certam ' which we believe, itoVije; in:: the best; : interests of the wl^TVspeojple v and '-:.. whatever changes yjpla'pe^nlthe executive the necessity ; .remains x f or unity and watchfulness, on the^^rt;pf .jthpse who look forward arid who the. progress and • the real, welfare^ of ; the ■ country." ■''.';.. '"■'■■ ■"■."_'.: ;^ .';:' : \"-\