POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 47, 13 July 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

ALL MINISTERS BUSY. MR. MASSEY'S INTENTIONS. '. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. ' " Wellington, Last Night. Mr. D. Guthrie, member for Oroua, has i been appointed Senior Government Whip in succession to the Hon. R. H. Rhodes; now Postmaster-General. The appointment of a whip for the South Island will not be filled until Parliament resumes. It is expected that either Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) or Mr. Anderson (Mataura) will be appointed. THE OPPOSITION LEADER. No further steps to elect a Leader of the Opposition will be made until Parliament resumes. The latest suggestion is that in view of the divergences of opinion an executive should be appointed representing the various sections of the party. Meanwhile the Hon. T. Mackenzie will officially occupy the position. THE REFORM PARTY. The New Zealand Political Reform League will hold a convention in Wellington on Saturday, August 3, to devise a scheme for organising the supporters of the party, in order to ensure the success of candidates at thevpolls. . Advantage will also probably be taken of the occasion to entertain the Prime Minister and congratulate him on his accession to office. THE SECOND BALLOT. Questioned as to whether the Government intends to bring down legislation for the abolition of the second ballot, the Hon. Mr. Massey stated that instruc- ' tions had been given to the Law-drafting Department to prepared a Bill on the subject, but as to the direction in which the legislation would he was not prepared to make any definite statement. THE NEW MINISTER. Nothing further has yet been done with regard to the appointment of anI other Minister. As already indicated,' the choice appears to be between Mr. J. B. Hine (Stratford) and Mr. Okey (Tara> ; naki), with the chances in favor of Mr. 'j Hine. The Prime Minister was ques* j tioned on the subject to-day. He pointed out, in reply, that when he was form-'. > ( ing the Cabinet the choice rested with ; him. Now that the Cabinet was actually constituted all further appointments, would have to be made by the Cabinet and not by himself. So far, nothing had been done. LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME. The Prime Minister went on to indicate that the necessary steps are being taken'to prepare the legislative proprogram, to be submitted to Parliament on its resumption. He was not going to say anything about the details of the I programme, but he made it quite clear I that the Government had made up its l mind that it would ;)o adjourn until it had carried out its legislative intentions. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. In answer to another question, the Prime Minister stated that no steps had yet been taken -towards filling the position of Chairman of Committee. It is generally understood, however, that Mr. F. W. Lang will be appointed. At last Mr. Massey and 'his friends have gained access *to the "pigeonholes." Now, we may expect au avalanche of exposures of the wickedness, rottenness and corruption of the late Liberal Administration, But why do Sir Joseph Ward and his former colleagues remain in the Dominion? Wh? do they not fly from the wrath that is" to come? Surely they will all be gaoled wljen the pigeon-holes are ransacked. In the meantime the country is holding its breath and waiting for the exposures.--Eltham Argus.