MINISTERS AMD MEMBERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10104, 11 October 1917, Page 2

MINISTERS AMD MEMBERS.

A JOINT CONFERENCE. (Spccir 1 .Correspondent). WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. ; There was no surprise except anions , itlio Labour membors yesterday afternoon when, after the completion of the routine business, Mr Massoy moved the adjournment of the House in order that the party leaders might have an qppor- j tunity to address a joint caucus in reyard to the. "very difficult financial position that has arisen during the past few weeks.',' Reform and Libera] caucuses had been held during the morning, and both had expressed a desire for a joint caucus. The Reform caucus had given the Prime Minister assurances of loyalty Lo the National Government, and the Liberal caucus, though scarcely 'so well disposed towards the joint Administration, was prepared to abide by whatever Sir .'Joseph Ward considered best. Jt was remarked as being a frillo of some significance that while Mr Massey referred to the joint meeting as a caucus of the two parties. Sir Joseph Ward spoke of it as a national caucus. THE LABOUR PARTY. The Labour Party also held a conference during the. day, the developments of the last few weeks apparently having healed the breaches in its organisation, and before the adjournment in the afternoon Mr Veiteh asked the Prime Minister if attendance at the joint caucus would ho regarded as a pledge of support to the National Government. The member for Wanganui made his own position plain. He was a supporter or the Government in its military policy and in every effort to bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion, but be reserved absolute freedom to himself in other matters, and could not forego his right as a representative of the people to criticise the legislation and administration of the Government. Mr Massey's reply was to the effect that each member would have to exercise his own judgment in the matter, and after Sir Joseph Ward had spoken in similar terms Mr Veiteh thought the other parties would be saved from embarrassment by the Labour members not attending their caucus. AN ACQUIESCENT HOUSE. There was some mild excitement in the galleries and a great deal of curiosity when the House reassembled in the evening. It was known that the joint caucus had sat for several hours, and that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had made it clear to their supporters that the Government required their cordial support in carrying its measures , through the House, but it was believed . there had been some dissent and it was thought this would be emphasised in . the House. What happened, however, justified none of the more sensational predictions. After an amendment to . the Pensions Bill increasing the allowi ance for children from 7s Gd to 10s a ; week, brought down by Governor's mes- \ sage, had been adopted by the House, ■ Sir Joseph Ward, as .Minister of Fin- | ance, explained that an error in the i Defence estimates, which would necessi- > tate a further loan of four millions, i arose through no fault of the Depart- > ment, and then the ordinary business f rah on with rather more than the usual [ harmony. THE PRESENT POSITION. .Though it would be too much to say every murmur of discontent lias been 'silenced and every sign of unrest res' moved," there'can be no question the atmosphere has been considerably clearl' ed by a frank exchange of opinions. A ' general election before the allotted time '! is no longer even a possibility of the ; j near future. Liberals no less than '[Reformers recognise thee now is no ' I alternative to a National Government 'in<war.time. Sir Joseph Ward, the 1 only man who can be thought of in J; I the House as capable of handling the ' I increasing difficulties of finance, is com- ' ' niitted to the arrangement, and though ! i it may involve his extinction as a party leader ho is bound to stand by his col- ' leagues. That there 1 will ho changes of a very radical character when the j next election does come, there j can he no shadow of doubt, but the ' i country is not ready for them yet, and ' even the most restless of the members j are beginning to realise it would resent ' being thrust into a contest for which ' j it is uot prepared. ' . . ; ?: nr" "~n