LIBERALS CONFER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13847, 28 August 1919, Page 4

LIBERALS CONFER.

INTERESTING ABSENTEES AND RE-CNIONS. NO-CONFI DENT K MOTION PROSPECTS. By Telegraph. (Special to the Oamarn Mud.) WELLINGTON. August 2>. It was no surprise that the two exLiberal Ministers, the Hon. G. 'Si'. Russell and the Hon. .*. A. Hmwn. were not at the Liberal catica-. Another absentee- was Mr .r. T. M. Hontsby. ut Wairarapa. who ha.- definitely left Mr Joseph Ward. However. Mr Vigor Brown, of Napier, who refused to participate in Coalition cuiiea-es.. renewed his acquaintance with a party gathering after a year*.-, afeenct'. Mr .(. C'ruigie. of timarm whose independent tendency has been evident, also resumed his old party association. The most interesting point, on which, of coarse. the official report has the least to say. is the Lther.nl Party's plans regarding a no-confidence motion. The feeling "the Cancus. I hear. iv;ustrotrglv against forcing matter* to an earlv issue. It wa- recalled that the laberats. under war conditions, gave the Reform Government a twelve monthrun without, harassing tactii■>. before the National Government «a.- formed. Now the aftermath" of war retiuines to he cleared tip. and the Liberals, recognising their responsibility tn this respect, propo-e to again assist the Governrnent. However the Prime Minister could fore.* an is-ue at any time, if if suited the Reformers, hy simply zoins outside the scope of legislation ucce-sary to do iustice to soldiers, clear up war liabilities, and secure the stability of industrial and financial conditions during the present period of stress. Lobby gossip t> inclined to believethat the Labor group will divide the Horwe at the earliest moment, but already this section begin* to realise that such" a move might .-imply strengthen tho Government by producing division with only half-a-dozen voting against the Government, th** remainder of the House being disinclined to precipitate an early dissolution. Through two opposition element* being practically of one mind th*- pro-peer- are favorable to the session going ahead for at least a month without political upheaval: but points of difference will doubtless develop so -trongly that eventually a final test of strength will be made, when Mr Massey, if defeated, could, it is understood," secure a dissolution without an attempt being made to form a Ministry froni the other sections of the house.