THE SHORT SESSION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 6

THE SHORT SESSION

■» TO BE HELD AT EARLY DATE

LABOUR PARTY STRONGLY CONDEMNS DELAY. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. The following interchange of telegrams took place yesterday between Mr H. E. Holland (chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party) and the Prime Minister. The messages speak for themselves : “Westport, January 18th, 1923“Right Hon. Prime Minister, Wellington. Parliamentary Labour Party desire respectfully to enter strongest possible protest against delay in calling Parliament together. Verdict of December 7th constituted emphatic noconfidence vote in present Government, and Labour Party hold Government, a 3 alternative to resigning, should meet Parliament earliest moment, certainly not later than middle February. —(Sgd.) H. E. Holland.’“Wellington, January 18th, 1923.

“H. E. Holland, Esq., M.P., Westport.—Your telegram received. I quite understand the constitutional position, and will act in accordance with it. You are in error in thinking that the verdict of December 7th constituted an emphatic declaration of no-confidence in the Government. On the contrary, it constituted a declaration that the people of New Zealand would on no account tolerate a Government which might be assisted to office by, or in any way placed under an obligation to, the Socialistic Labour Party.—(Sgd.) W. F. Massey.” When questioned by a “New Zealand Times’’ reporter last night, Mr Massey declined to discuss the question of what majority he expected on a division at the short session which it is his intention to hold at .an early date. It is stated, however, that on a full vote of the House, as at present constituted, the Government would command a small majority.