SLOW START

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 25 September 1933, Page 6

SLOW START

PARLIAMENT’S WORK. LABOUR SEEKING A WEAKNESS. CBv Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) ' y S WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. Parliament is making its usual slow start, and there is no indication that members will take seriously the suggestion that time be saved in the early stages by curtailing the Address-m-Reply debate. The Lyttelton by-election has provided a political stimulus. Coalitionists on the one hand declare that it has solidified their ranks, while the Labour Party cannot hide its jubilation and is busv seeking a weak link in the Coalition armour for the projected noconfidence attack. The obvious way was suggested on Friday by the member for Wanganui (Mr W. A. Veitch) who, from the Government side, moved for repeal of the high exchange. He secured ready support from the OpposiContact with members shows that there are many cross currents running in the House at present and a situation might easily develop of some concern to the Government as the exchange question and its relation to local body finance has placed many members in a difficult position. It is anticipated that the Labour Party, which is not holding its caucus until the House has dealt with condolence motions, will select this as the issue in its no-confidence challenge, though under these conditions it is unlikely to catch many additional MORE UPPER HOUSE MEMBERS? Members of the Legislative Council have been pressing the Government to seriously consider the position of the Upper House which, owing to its limited numbers, is in danger of losing all its value as a revisory chamber. The attendance at its first . business sitting was only fourteen and it is considered impossible to set up the usual committees with an effective personnel while there is so limited a list on which to draw. The average age of the Legislative Councillors is high, with the consequence that absences through illness cause serious inroads on the effective force. Though a week ago it was generally felt in the lobbies that the Government was not concerned over appointments to the Council, members now believe that the practical difficulties of the situation will prompt the two interests in Cabinet to mutually select a list of moderate dimensions, possibly not exceeding ten, of suitable persons for nomination to the Legislative Council. An almost certain Auckland appointee is Mr John Alexander, C.M.G., while an outstanding selection from Wellington is expected to be Mr Harold Johnston, K.C. Mr Alexander is a prominent barrister and solicitor in Auckland. He is a member of the Prisons Board and has also given much service to various other public bodies. Mr H. F. Johnston, Iv.C., is also a well-known barrister. His name was previously mentioned in connection with the Upper House. He unsuccessfully contested the Hutt seat in 1929 and has much experience of public affairs.