POLITICAL MYSTERY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11438, 7 February 1923, Page 5

POLITICAL MYSTERY

WILL MR MASSEY BE ABLE TO CARRY ON ? LIBERALS WILL HAVE NO FUSION WITH REFORM DECISION AT YESTERDAY’S PARTY CAUCUS MR HOLLAND HEAD OF LABOUR PARTY TO-DAY’S MEETING OF PARLIAMENT Yesterday was a day of caucuses and mystery. Practically all the members of the House of Representatives were in town, and each of the three parties —Reform, Liberal-Labour, and Labour —held a close-tiled meeting of its members. No report of the Reform Party's meeting was issued for publication. Beyond a report ns to the election of officers, the Labour Party also had no statement to make. But, in a series of resolutions, published below, the LiberalLabour Party confirmed Mr Wilford’s leadership, and complimented and congratulated him on his efforts during the election campaign. The Liberal-Labour Party also declared: (1) For no fusion with' the Reform Party; (2) that so long as the Reform Party continued to be the party of the big landowners and other monopolists it would be vigorously opposed by the Liberal-Labour Party; and (3) that the Liberal-Labour Party, while opposing all extreme revolutionary proposals, supports the aspirations of the workers for improved economic conditions and the achievement of the same by constitutional means. The Commission which will open Parliament to-day comprises the Hon. Sir William Cnrncross (Speaker of the Legislative Council), the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Leader), the Hon. Sir' William Fraser (DeputyLeader), and the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jone6. The Commissioners will read the commission calling Parliament together, and directing the members of the House of Representatives to elect a Speaker. The members of the House will retire immediately, and proceed as directed. The Speech from the Throne will be delivered by Hie Excellency the Governor-General (Admiral Viscount Jellicoe) in the Legislative Council to-morrow afternoon. The guard of honour for the occasion is to be furnished by the Territorials. The Address-in-Reply is to be moved by Mr W. J. Girling (Wairau), and will be seconded by Mr A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa). While, on the assumption that Mr S'tatham will become Speaker, and that Messrs Bell, Witty, and Isitt will go over to Reform, Mr Massey is very generally credited with a majority of three in the new Parliament, doubts are expressed in some quarters ae to whether he will be able to carry on very long with so small a majority.