THE LIBERAL CAUCUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18317, 6 February 1923, Page 8

THE LIBERAL CAUCUS.

PARTY'S ; FIRST MEETING.

AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION. REFORM RECRUITS NAMED. [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT,] < WELLINGTON. Monday. The first meeting of the Liberal Party since the general elections was held this afternoon under the leadership of Mr. T. M. Wilford. It would be pretentious to suggest that it was an important caucus marked with ■weighty deliberations. As a matter of fact, there was; not a full muster of the party's faithful members, Mr. G. W. Forbes (Furunui), and the Hen. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) being absent. Mr. a. Atmore (Nelson), who is also among the late arrivals at Wellington, sent what a Liberal described as "a very nice telegram.".■ \'. ; The political position was informally discussed, and it was agreed to adjourn further consideration to . the following day. It is frankly admitted by several Liberal members that the Government is assured of a working majority of three after the election of the Speaker, also a member of the Opposition camp. There is a consensus of opinion that on the no-confidenoe motion, the Government will be supported by Messrs. L. M. Isitt (Christchuj-eh North), G. Witty (Riccarton), and Mr. Allen Bell (Bay of Islands). If there should bo any surprise at all, it would be the' failure of those members to vote with the Government.

'It is expected that there will be some brisk talk in the early stages of the debate, followed by tedious repetition and a desire- for the* test division. All parties at least recognise that the public is less interested in oratorical flights than tn the result of the lobby test..