THE INDEPENDENT GROUP

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1931, Page 11

THE INDEPENDENT GROUP

CONSOLIDATING POSITION. JOINT ACTION IN PARLIAMENT. Wellington, Sept. 20. As a voting force of seven memoers the Independent group in the House cannot be overlooked, and although the Coalition Government will be assured of a clear majority, it is understood that the Independents will press their claims for fuller consideration in the chamber itself when a rearrangement of seats is made. More than ever the Independents recently have worked as a composite whole rather than as individuals, in spite of the fact that there are still one or two who stand aloof. The latest move to be made by the Independents this week will be to demand front row benches in the chamber. This it is maintained should be conceded to them by right and in pressing their claims for what are in reality coveted places in the House, they will point to the seating arrangements in the 1925-28 Parliament, when a small group of Nationalists, comprising Messrs. Forbes, Veitch, Wilford and one or two others, were given front row seats. This move by the Independents, which it is stated w-ill be in the nature of a temand and not merely a request, might ot convey very much importance to those outside Parliament, but in reality it carries with it implications of considerable importance. In the first place, it gives a clear indication that the Independents are bent on consolidating their position, and, secondly, one might imply that the group has come to some tentative agreement upon the course to be adopted, especially in view of the report presented to the House on Friday on its behalf by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, who was a member of the special Economy Committee. Although none of' the Independents owns any allegiance to party policies, the group has recently taken more or less concerted action upon one or two things. Several of the Independents issued a report during the short recess upon the problems facing the country and in this definite suggestions were made as to the lino of action most likely to assist the country during the economic depression. The Independents met to choose a representative on the Economy Committee and the report presented to the House on Friday had been perused and approved at special meetings lasting until very late after the House at adjourned. An interesting speculation was being made in the lobbies when it was learned that the Minister of Education. Mr. Atmore, was not to be given a scat in the Coalition Ministry. Mr. Atmore was selected as an Independent, and the suggestion has been made openly that in view of the trend of events, he might once more resume that attitude. As against this, however, it is understood that both the members of he Reform and United Parties were asked by their leaders to enter into an undertaking to support the coalition and that this was done. The step was taken to prevent any defections.