PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

ELECTION OF SPEAKER. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. After the members of the. House of Representatives had been sworn in this afternoon, Sir George Hunter, representing the Reform Party and Mr Macpherson, the new member for Oamaru, representing the United Party, moved and seconded respectively tho election of Sir Charles Statliam to the Speakership. Sir Charles made a grateful acknowledgment of the complimeut, making reference to his experiences in the chair during the past six years. AWAITING THE DEBATE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard). WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. The members of Parliament now assembled are anxiously awaiting the debate that is to seal the fate of the Coates Government. Everyone takes it for granted that Mr Coates will be defeated and that Sir Joseph Ward will form a ministry that will bo allowed to carry on perhaps for a year or more. Tho Labour Party has held two lengthy caucuses and discussed the situation from various angles. Tlieir tactics will decide whether the session will soon end or whether it will be prolonged for about a fortnight. It is understood that no definite decision has been arrived at, but that decisions will be taken from day to day as events occur. THE LABOURPARTY. Per Pi ess Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. The caucus of Labour Party sat

all day yesterday and to-day. It is understood .that a decision was reached as to the attitude to be adopted bv tho party m the House. This has not been revealed, but it was stated that Mr Holland would make the whole position clear when he spoke in the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate. caucus unanimously re-elected Mr Holland leader of the party: the deputy leader ; s Mr Savage, the secretary Mr Fraser, the assistant secretary Mr Barnard, and the whips Messrs Howard and Sullivan.