THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18765, 19 January 1923, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

LABOUR PARTY’S ATTITUDE. EARLY MEETING OF PARLIAMENT REQUESTED. (Pm United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 18. The following telegrams have been exchanged by Mr H. E, Holland (chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party) and the Prime Minister: Westport, January 18. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington.—The Parliamentary Labour Party desires respectfully to enter the strongest possible protest against the delay in calling Parliament together. The verdict of December 7 constitutes an emphatic declaration of no confidence in tbo present Government, and the Labour Party bolds that the Government, as an alternative lo resigning, should meet Parliament at the earliest moment, certainly not later than the middle of February.— (Signed) H. E. Holland. Wellington, January 18, 1923. Mr 11. E. Holland, Esq., M.x., Westport.—Your telegram received. 1 quite understand the constitutional position, and will act in accordance with it. You are in error in thinking that the verdict of December 7 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 bo assisted to office by, or in any way placed under an obligation to, the Socialistic Labour Party.— fSigned) W. F. Massey.