PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND NOTES.

AWAITING THE DECISION.

MR. MASSETS MAJORITY.

l>T XELEGn.U»n. SPECIAL COnEESVONTJENT.) Wellington, Monday. The division by which members of the House of Representatives will decide the fate of the Ward Administration will, it is now expected, bo taken cither to-mor-row or on Wednesday, most probably on tho latter evening. Presuming that Mr. At more is with tho Opposition, only some extraordinary development can now avert tho defeat of tho Government by a majority of two votes. The manner tin which tho Wanganui Labour member's committee appreciated the gravity of tho pledge given by Mr. Vcitch, has removed much of tho doubt by which tho situation has been obscured. Tho newspaper reports of Saturday evening's meeting are continned by Mr. Veitch, who returned to Wellington this evening. There- is no valid reason for ths continuation of the debate, beyond tho limo that would allow the Labour and the Independent members to express their views, and during the weekend members generally expressed tho opinion that tho House might bo allowed to divide this evening. The Ministerial party, however, has not yet abandoned hope, and *ho debate was continued this i evening with undiminished vigour by sup- j porters of tho Government. i

The political atmosphere has cleared over the week-end., and the prospects of victory for the Reform parly, which, it must be admitted, wore clouded by the debalo on Friday, arc now us bright as they were before. Mr. Robertson and Mr. Atmoro have not yet made a, definite announcement of their attitude in relation to the principal parties, and their speeches are being awaited with interest. There were some grounds for the conclusion that Mr. Robertson, Labour member for Otaki, would disregard hie pledge, and vote with iho Government, but the firmness with which his colleague, Mr. Veitch, has repelled the blandishments of the- Ministerial party, may reassure him of tho responsibility of his pledge. Mr. Atinore's brief remarks the other evening, -and his hustings speeches provide sufficient grounds for anticipating that he will do his share to oust tho present Administration. With his assistance, tho Reform party should carry Mr. Massoy"s amendment by two votes, and should tluey also receive the support of Mr. .Robertson (at present uncertain), its majority will be four.

The debate to-night was most dreary. The Opposition maintained a policy of masterly inactivity, and tho Ministerial party was compelled to put up four of its members ii;, succession to keep the debate going. The unusual calm was quite a relief after the storm of Friday. The public is anxious for a division* but the Government shows no disposition to submit to the crucial test. There was not a single interjection from the Opposition benches this evening, and no hint of opposition was suggested when the adjournment of the debate was moved. RAILWAY ITERS. A suggestion was made by Mr. R. F. Bollard (Raglan) in the House of Representatives this evening, that Huntly should be made a stopping place or tn * 0 Main Trnnk express trains. Notice has been given by Mr. Coates (Kaipara) of a question addressed to the Minister for Railways as to whether it is intended to authorise the construction of the Kaihu Valley railway to Donnelly's Crossing, four miles beyond the- present authorisation.