POLITICAL SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 31

POLITICAL SITUATION.

' THE UNITED PARTY. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. “SATISFACTORY IN EVERY WAY.” AUCKLAND, November 26. “ The conference of the United Parliamentary Party in Wellington last week revealed conclusively that we are in fact as well as in name a United Party,” said Mr A. J. Stallworthy, M.P., in an interview this morning. Mr Stallworthy and some of the other Auckland United members returned from Wellington at the week-end. “ From a party point of view the conference was a great success, and was satisfactory in every way,” continued the new member. “ The statement issued by Sir Joseph Ward was endorsed to the letter by every member present. Loyalty to the leader was the keynote of the proceedings. All spoke as with one mind, and it was obvious that the party will stand behind Sir Joseph whole-heartedly. No stone will be left unturned to place the party’s policy on the Statute Book. “It was apparent that Sir Joseph Ward is much improved in health,” added Mr Stallworthy. “ The success of the party which he led seems to have endowed him with renewed vigour to a surprising degree. Sir Joseph is intensely gratified with the personnel of his party, and for my own part I must say that the United ‘team,’ individually and collectively, is splendid. Every man is a worker.”

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT. PETITION MAY BE LODGED. CHRISTCHURCH, November 26. It is reported that supporters of Eruera Tihuina Tirikatene, the Ratanaite candidate, who was defeated for the Southern Maori seat by the casting vote of the returning officer are thinking of taking action to have the election of Tutiti Makitanara (United) declared void. It is understood that the grounds for action are that half-castes who voted in the European elections are alleged to have also voted in the Maori election. THE MEMBER FOR OTAKI. MR W. H. FIELD’S POSITION. WELLINGTON November 26. With respect to the suggestion that Mr W. H. Field (member for Otaki) was likely to join the United Party he states that he was elected as a member of the Reform Party and if he had any though of leaving that party—which he certainly had not—his first duty would be to consult his constituents. STATEMENT BY MR W. D. LYSNAR. . WILL NOT JOIN UNITED PARTY. GISBORNE November 26. “ There is nothing whatever in the statement that I made after the election to justify the assumption that I intend to join up with the United Party,” said Mr W. D. Lysnar in reference to a Christchurch message implying that he, together with Mr W. H. Field and seven other Reformers were likely to support Sir Joseph Ward immediately after a crucial division in the House. His statement, he added, referred solely to the advisability of a fusion of the anti-Socialistic forces. Beyond denying the implication contained in the Christchurch statement Mr Lysnar refused to comment pending the Reform caucus on Wednesday which he will attend.

FINAL RESULTS. CLUTHA. F. Waite (R.) 4318 J. Stephens (U.) 3795 KAIPARA. Right Hon. J. G. Coates (R.) 5190 J. G. Barclay (Lab.) 2715 MOTUEKA. G. C. Black (U.) 3895 R. P. Hudson (R.) 3482 THAMES. A. M. Samuel (R.) 4202 J. S. Montgomerie (Lab.) .. 2900 E. M‘Gregor (U.). 2317 WESTERN MAORI. Hon. Sir Maui Pomare (R.) 4674 H. T. Ratana (Ratanaite) .. 3077 EASTERN MAORI. Sir Apirana Ngata (U.) .. 4950 P. T. Moko (I.) 1846 T. P. Stewart (Lab.) .. .. 254 WESTLAND. J. O’Brien (Lab.) 4576 T. E. Y. Seddon (U.) .. .. 4391 BAY OF PLENTY. Hon. K. S. Williams (R.) .. 4463 A. F. Moncur (Lab.) 2596 MR ROLLESTON’S RESIGNATION. EARLY ELECTION NOT ANTICIPATED. TIMARU, November 27. Mr F. J. Rolleston, who returned to Timaru from Wellington to-day,. handed in his resignation as a member of the Cabinet prior to leaving Wellington.

In an interview, he said he could make no prophecy as to what might happen in the The meeting of Parliament next, week would no doubt sort out the parties. He supposed that Sir Joseph Ward would be called upon to form a Ministry. Having done that, he would probably ask for an adjournment to formulate his policy. The House would probably meet again in June. He did not think that another election was likely in the near future.

REFORM PARTY CAUCUS.

LOYALTY TO MR COATES. UNCERTAINTY REGARDING FUTURE. WELLINGTON, November 28. The members of the Reform Party met in caucus in Parliament House to-day. Twenty-seven members out of the 29 members of the party were present, and apologies were received from Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton), who is judging at a show, and from Mr Tau Henare (Northern. Maori), who was unable to make a train connection in time to he present. In addition to the parliamentary representatives, Mr T. S. Weston, ’M.L.C., Mr G. J. Anderson, Mr A. D. M'Ltod, and Mr F. F. Hoekly were present. The following resolution was passed: — “ We, the members of the Reform Party in Parliament, affirm our continued confidence in the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, as leader of the party and our determination to stand loyally with him in whatever course the exigencies of the present political situation may render necessary in the interests of the Dominion as a whole, which the partv, as in the past, places bc'orc all other considerations.” THE COUNTRY FIRST. SPIRIT OF REFORM MEMBERS. M ELLINGTON, November 28. The Prime Minister stated to-night that the meeting had been marked by a fine spirit of unanimity on the part of the members of the Government Party in their desire to follow a line of procedure which would best promote the general good in the very difficult position which now faced the country. The discussions, Mr Coates added, centred round this main aspect of the situation and the recognition of the heavy responsibility which now rested upon the members of the party in placing the interests of the country paramount.

THE DEFEATED MINISTERS. NEW APPOINTMENTS MADE. WELLINGTON, November 28. Consequent upon the resignation of the four defeated Ministers which were accepted by the Governor-General on Monday, the Prime Minister announced today that his Excellency has been pleased to make the following appointments in connection with the vacant portfolios: — The Prime Minister, Mr J. G. Coates, Minister of Mines and Minister of Agriculture. Mr W. D. Stewart, Attorney-general, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Defence. Mr J. A. Young, Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr R. ’A. Wright, Minister of Labour. Mr K. S. Williams, Minister of Lands and Commissioner of State Forests. In regard to the other departments which were administered by the former Ministers Mr Downie Stewart will have charge of the Police, Prisons, Electoral, and War Pensions Departments; Mr R. A. Wright, the Printing and Stationery r d Pensions Departments; and Mr K. S. Williams, the Valuation, Land for Settlement, Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement, and Scenery Preservation Departments.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. THE PROBABLE PROCEDURE. WELLINGTON, November 29. Preparations are well forward for the opening of Parliament next Tuesday. The election of the Speaker of the House of Repreesntatives will take place on Tuesday afternoon after Parliament has been opened by commission. It is expected that Sir Charles Statham will be reappointed, although until the Labour Party caucus is held it will not be known whether that party will put forward a candidate. The Speaker and the members of the House of Representatives will attend in the Legislative Council chamber on Wednesday to hear his Excellency, the Governor-General, read the Speech from the Throne, giving the reasons for calling Parliament together. It is expected that the speech will be brief. On former occasions when an extraordinary session of Parliament.has been summoned to determine the state of parties the Speech from the Throne has been long and lias contained references to the legislative programme which the Government of the day had intended carrying out. The present circumstances are not strictly analogous in that there does not appear to be any doubt as to the position of the Government. Consequently, it is not anticipated that the Speech will say much more than that a general election of members of the House of Representatives having been .held in November, Ministers have advised that a meeting of the General Assembly should be convened at the earliest convenient opportunity to consider and determine matters concerning the general administration of the affairs of the Do-

minion and any subjects which may appear to arise for immediate attention. Brief reference may be made in the Speech to the economic and financial position of the Dominion. The Address-in-Reply debate will probably commence in the House of Representatives on Thursday. It is customary to entrust new members with the honour of moving and seconding the motion—“ That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the GovernorGeneral in reply to his Excellency's speech.” The mover will be Mr A. E. Ansell (Chalmers) and the seconder M>A. W. Hall (Hauraki), both of whom are new members. As Sir Joseph Ward will no doubt be recognised by the Speaker as the Leader of the Opposition, being able presumably to command 31 votes compared with the Labour Party’s 19. Sir Joseph may give notice on Wednesday afternoon when the House reassembles after hearing the Governor-General’s speech of his intention to move a noconfidence amendment. It may be that the Address-in-Reply debate will commence on Wednesday night. No time has been definitely fixed yet, and in that case Sir Joseph Ward would probably not speak until Thursday afternoon, as it is usual to take only the speeches of the mover and seconder on the first night. In any case it is almost certain that Sir Joseph’s speech will be begun on Thursday afternoon. Sir Joseph Ward will be followed by a Minister, and the debate will then continue until such time as it is mutually agreed to take a division. If Mr Holland moves an amendment to Sir Joseph Ward’s amendment the first division will take place on Mr Holland’s proposition. The real test will come later, and it is not disputed that the Labour Party will vote with the United Party to "turn the Government out, although it may happen, as has been the case in the past, that in the preliminary skirmish (if any) the United and Reform parties will vote together against the Labour amendment. It is not likely that a new Chairman of Committees will be elected during the short session. Mr F. F. Hoekly, who was chairman in the last Parliament, was defeated at the election. The caucus of the Reform Party yesterday was an amicable gathering. Among those present was Mr A.-Harris, the member for Waitemata, who, since his difference with the Government over the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act. in 1925, has declined to attend caucus meetings. He did not stay throughout yesterday’s meeting. It is understood that while friendly with the party he did not desire to sacrifice wholly the position of independence, which he has assumed, and he therefore refrained from being a party to all the decisions reached. The caucus did not do anything in the matter of appointing party whips. This will probably be done when Parliament assembles.

THE MEMBER FOR WAITEMATA. MR HARRIS'S POSITION. AUCKLAND, November 29. On his return from Wellington, where he attended tho caucus of the Reform Party, Mr A. Harris, Independent Reform member for Waitemata, commented on the fact that he left the Whip’s room when the meeting reached the stage of deciding on certain policy moves in connection with the forthcoming short session. Mr Harris said it was quite true that he left the room, but there was no antagonism expressed or implied. He had been elected an Independent Reform candidate, and he felt justified in leaving the deliberations when they had reached that stage. In his position he was not pledged to every action of the Reform Party.

POSSIBLE UNITED CABINET. FOUR INDEPENDENTS INCLUDED. WELLINGTON, November 30. With the approach of the short session that is likely temporarily to straighten out the political tangle in which the electors have left, the country, there is a keen interest locally in coming political events. It is taken for granted that Sir Charles Statham will be unanimousTy reappointed Speakei, and that it will not for the short session be necessary to appoint a Chairman of Committees. Unless the Labour Party starts a discussion on unemployment or some other live question, the session may not last more than a week. It is generally taken for granted that the Government will be defeated, and that Sir Joseph Ward will form a Cabinet. There was a suggestion current recently that the Labour Party would not vote to oust Mr Coates, but it is most unlikely that Mr Coates would agree to carry on with the support of Labour. In the probable event of the defeat of the Reform Government, Sir Joseph Ward will be sent for by the Governor-General, and will agree to form a Cabinet.

An old parliamentary hand whom I interviewed to-day makes some interesting calculations regarding a possible United 'Party Cabinet. “ With regard to appointments to the Legislative Council,” he says, “it seems obvious that Mr Coates will not make any move in this direction, but it is generally believed that one of the first acts of Sir Joseph Ward will be to make several appointments to the Upper House. The Reform Party had two Ministers in the Upper House—Sir Heaton Rhodes and Sir Francis Bell, who was the Leader of the Council. It

is reported on good authority that the new Leader of the Council will be Mr R Masters, the present chairman of the United organisation. It is also considered likely that Mr T. K. Sidey, Mr D. Buddo, and Mr James Horn will be appointed, and some consider that Mr Sidey will be either the Leader or the Deputy-Leader of the Council. “ During the 1927 session Mr Coates's Cabinet consisted of 14 members—l2 in the Lower " >use and two in the Upper House. If Sir Joseph Ward allots four portfolios to the Independents—Messrs Wilkinson, Polson, Atmore, and Hogan—as it is suggested he will do, there would seem to be vacancies for eight others in the Lower House. To get men of experience in political affairs, and it Is freely conceded that the United Party is the weakest of the three parties in regard to members with political experience, it will be necessary for Sir Joseph Ward to allot portfolios to those members of the United Party who were members of the last Parliament. The claims of Messrs Wilford, Veitch, Hansom, Forbes, and Sir Apirana Ngata cannot be overlooked. These five, with the four Independents, make nine; and Sir Joseph Ward, as Leader, brings up a total of ten, thus leaving two vacancies to be filled from the newly-elected members. It is difficult to see who will fill these vacan-' cies, but the name of Mr T. W. McDonald as Minister of Defence is being fretSy mentioned, and to complete the South Island representation in the Cabinet Mr W. P>. Taverner, Mr J, A. Macpherson, or Mr P. A. De la Perclle may be selected.” REFORM SUPPORTERS. FAITH IN MR COATES. WELLINGTON, November 30. A meeting of the Reform supporters, held here last night, passed the following resolution :—“ That tjjis meeting of citizens of Wellington, confident in the great ability of Mr J. G. Coates to lead the country, expresses to him its thanks for his distinguished services in the past, and is confident that in the near future the country will insist on his restoration to the position of Prime Minister.” Mr Coates, replying, said the party need have no fear, because every measure would be keenly scrutinised, and only legislation for the country's good would be supported. Any other would be subject to hard, clean fighting and strenuous opposition. NEW MEMBERS ARRIVING. DECISION AWAITED WITH INTEREST.. WELLINGTON, December 1. Members of the House of Representatives are now beginning to arrive in Wellington for the short session of Parliament which will decide the fate of the present Administration. The rumour that Labour will not vote against Mr Coates to put the United Party in power has been revived, but it is generally discounted. In any case, it is almost -certain' that Mr Coates would resign rather than carry on with the support of Labour. There is a growing feeling that Sir Joseph Ward should be allowed only a reasonable time to form his Cabinet, and that afterwards the re-summoning of Parliament should not be unduly delayed. Sir Joseph Ward, if he forms a Cabinet, will no doubt call some outsiders to his aid in the Upper House. There are already 41 members in the Upper House, and though there is no statutory limit to the number of its members, the country would probably object to any large or unwarranted increase in the membership of that Chamber.

A POSSIBLE MINISTER. AGRICULTURE OR LANDS. AUCKLAND, December 1. It is reported in Cambridge that there is a likelihood of the United member for Waikato, Mr F. Lye, being given a seat in the new Cabinet, possibly as Minister of Lands or Minister of Agriculture. Mr Lye has been a farmer all his life, and possesses qualifications that support his claim for consideration. BAY OF ISLAIDS SEAT. MR RUSHWORTH WINS BY TWO VOTES. AUCKLAND, December 2. The magisterial recount in the Bay of Islands electorate, which was completed yesterday afternoon at Kawakawa, revealed that Mr H. M. Rushworth, the Country Party candidate, has won the seat with a majority of two votes over the sitting Reform candidate, Mr Allen Bell. Mr Rushworth will be the Country Party’s only representative in Parliament.

The Bay of Islands seat has furnished the most dramatic surprise of the general election. On election night the figures showed that Mr Rushworth was in the lead by 66 votes with a number of postal and absentee votes to be counted. A week later it was announced that on completion of the official count Mr Rushworth had been declared elected by a majority of one vote. The figures were: Mr Rushworth 3837, Mr Bell 3836, Mr R. H. Hornblow 351; majority for Mr Rushworth, one. On the following day the surprising news was telegraphed fr-om Kawakawa that, following the foregoing announcement, a parcel of six votes which had not been counted had been discovered, three of these being in favour of Mr Bell, two for Mr Rushworth, and one informal. This made the two leading candidates equal with 3839 votes each.. The returning officer (Mr H. C. Blundell) gave his

casting vote in favour of the sitting member (Mr Bell), and declared him elected. Subsequent to that an application was made on behalf of Mr Rushworth for a magisterial recount. This was commenced before Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M, at Kawakawa on Friday.