GOVERNMENT CAUCUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13481, 4 July 1907, Page 5

GOVERNMENT CAUCUS.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

THE WORK OF THE SESSION.

NO CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The Government party met in caucus this morning. The official report furnished to the press is as follows:-—

Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the cau- ! cus on the large attendance, and thanked members, one and all, for the many kind expressions of welcome and good feeling shown to himself eince his return to the colony. It was, he went on to say, the first caucus called since he became head of the Government, and he hoped they would have many future meetings, with a view to discussing matters of general importance to the colony as a whole. He did not propose to discuss the details of any policy measures that the Government proposed to introduce to the House this session, as that was not the constitutional course to follow. The proper course would be adhered to in respect to that matter, and he hoped that the party, as a whole, would be kept in close touch with the Government upon the more important meai sures that required to be dealt with. THE SESSION'S LEGISLATION. He indicated what measures Parliament would be asked to put through during the session, and intimated that an alteration would be made in the graduated land tax, and that an amended Land Bill would be brought down. There would also be a Native Land Bill, ensuring the settlement of the great area of native lands in the North Island and a Customs tariff of a sensible nature in the interests of all classes, with a simplification of the present system, would be put through. The all important matter of the work of the conciliation and arbitration system would be amended to ensure the continuance of the benefits that had been conferred upon both employers and workers since the system had been in operation. The law would be made clear to ensure that the great principles involved should be put into a thoroughly practicable position. The question of the uncertainty of the halfholiday under the Shops Act . would also be legislated upon, go as to prevent the undesirable state of things that now existed. A classification scheme for the Civil Service, as well as a superannuation scheme, would also be put through with the assistance of members. Sir Joseph Ward also referred to the fact that the great developments in the matter of legislation which had taken place during the past 15' years had enormously increased the responsibilities put upon Departments, both old and new, and Civil servant*, who had devoted a long life to the service of the colony, were not able, from various causes, when they, left the service, to turn their hands to other avenues of employment and to make provision foi themselves and their families in their old age. He also stated that amendments. to the Post and Telegraph Classification Act. and the Railway Department Classification Act would be put through. Both those' Departments had expanded enormously in recent years',' though their classification scheme; in many aspects did not suit, under the altered conditions which an expansion of business , had brought about. Those, were the.mQst. important. -measures . which the House « would '■ be asked to put through. He also intended to submit a national endowment scheme, altered .in some material aspects from the Bill of last session, under which it was proposed to submit a scheme to enable the public to ensure a reasonable provision being made for them in sickness and old age. HON. W. HALL-JONES. The' Premier expressed .deep regret at the unavoidable absence of his friend and colleague, the Hon. Mr. Jones, who had been prevented by illness from taking his ; usual place among them. No one could forecast whether the long rest that he was taking would restore him to a full measure of health, but he sincerely hoped that that would be the result. The three doctors who had examined him the day before his (Sir Joseph's) arrival in New ; Zealand were hopeful that that would be so. -If, however, it should unhappily be ' otherwise, and his health should not be restored, so that he should be unable to undertake his great responsibilities, then, and then only, would he consider as to how the vacancy in the Ministery should be filled. In the meantime no one would expect him to give any promise or any indication of what might or might not be ' necessary in six months from now. | SOME EXPLANATIONS. Mr. Gray and Mr. Poole explained that they were present at the caucus as Independent Liberals, which was in keeping with their election pledges. ■ .Sir Joseph Ward said lie quite understood the position, and he recognised that they were not supporters of the Opposition party. Consequently, he was pleased to see them present. He also expressed pleasure at seeing Mr. J. C. Thomson, the member for Wallace, among them. He hoped, with the co-operation of the party as a whole and with the assistance of his colleagues, .to direct legislation in the general interests of the country. RESOLUTION of loyalty. Sir Joseph Ward was frequently applauded, and, after a number of members had expressed their views, the following resolution was unanimously carried— " That this caucus records its loyalty. to you (Sir Joseph Ward), as Leader, and. to your Government, and to its general policy." NO GOVERNMENT BY CAUCUS. From an unofficial source I learn that few matters of serious moment were discussed at any length by the caucus. Indeed, a considerable amount of time was taken up with the question of whether or not there would be a supper adjournment during the current session. Some amusement was caused by a very prominent Ministerialist getting up and suggesting, "as an Independent member," that before the matter was finally settled the Leader of the Opposition should be consulted. It has, I am told, been decided to take the supper adjournment at 9.30, as was usual under the Seddon regime. A member who was present at the caucus informs me that Sir Joseph Ward made it plain that there was to be no government by caucus. The Ministry will not brook anything of that kind.

The details of tho Land Bill were not gone into at the caucus, but members of the party speak in confident terms of the Bill being passed. ' It is likely that the area, of the endowments will be considerably curtailed, probably to rive million acres.

The resolution expressing loyalty in the Government was proposed by Mr. Field, wbo last- year occupied the position of chairman of the. country party, and seconded by Mr. Wilford, who was one of the most rebellious members of the party last session. '■•.' \