POLITICAI NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144134, 2 July 1913, Page 2

POLITICAI NOTES.

tHE COWING SESSION. COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION. 'By Telegraph.—Qwn Correspondent. WELLINGTON, July 1.. Work starts to-day, and to-morrow Parliament will make a beginning upon the ordinary work of the session, and a moderately busy week is predicted in, the House. To-morrow afternoon will probably be taken up with formal business and matters of minor importance.! The Address-in-Reply debate is expected to begin in the evening and! the mover and seconder will be Mr. 0. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) and Mr. O. E., Statljam (Dunedin Central) respective:-' ly. The intentions of the Opposition are still more or less wrapped m mystery, but it is rumoured that Mr. G. TV. Bussell (Avon) will lead off in their 'behalf. ■

In the Council the Address-in-Reply will he moved in the afternoon by the Hon. John Duthie and seconded by the Hon. Wm. Earnshaw. Probably the Council will content itself with afternoon sittings for some little time and not commence sitting in the evenings until the House of Representatives baa provided it with some work to do. PROSPECTS OF SESSION. The anticipation that the session be a lively and bitter one, which has been freely expressed in Opposition circles, is not shared by all the members. It is predicted by some that, whilst the session may be productive-of considerable sharpsbooting, next'year’s session, immediately preceding the general election, will! see the greatest tussles in the House, so far as the present Parliament is concerned. This was the view expressed by an Opposition and also an Independent member in the course of conversation to-day. Somo of the Liberals, whilst preserving a policy of reticence as to their actual intentions, continue to drop vague hints as to their intentions to make things warm for the occupants of the Government benches. One of the subjects of attack, it is understood, will be th# alleged delay of the Government in the issue of the writ for 1 the Grey election, in order, it is asserted, to suit the interests of the Reform candidate. .The Prime Minister has already stated that he has a complete answer to the allegation and that the law has been adhered to to the letter. In view of the keen fight that is being waged in Grey the expected skirmish on the subject is expected to prove interesting. COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP. Several .members of the Reform Party who were spoken to this even" ing agreed in denying the accuracy of a statement which has been published' in some Opposition newspapers that the allocation of the Chairmanship of Committees is giving rise to" some dissatisfaction amongst the Govemmept members. “There is absolutely no feeling over the matter at all, one member declared. “As a matter of fact it has not been discussed to any extent. There,are a number of men in the party eminently qualified w> fid the position. The appointment of any one of them would satisfy their brother members, and as a fact the position is not greatly sought after.” There is some Expectation that the House may proceed to elect a Chairman , before tiio end of this week. Three possible candidates are named—Mr:'A. S. Malcolm, Mr. F, Hander, aqd Mr- G. M. Thomson. The weight of, opinion ia that Mr. Malcolm will be elected, but well-informed Government, supporters state that this is not a foregone conclusion. Mr. Mander. is the senior member-of the trio, he having three;, years’ seniority over Mr. /Malcolm and six years hver Mr. Thomson. , LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. \ ■ _ ; COMING REFORM BILL. The Legislative Council Reform Bill will be re-introduced this session in the Council. Varying opinions are expressed as to the probable fate of the Bill, but the dominant opinion seems to be that amended as it is by the provision of smaller electorates than were proposed in the Bill of last year, it will have a fairly easy passage. Of the Councillors who are opposed to the principle of election being applied to their Chamber, some frankly admit that they consider further opoosition useless; others state that they will still do their utmost to prevent the passaga,of the Bill. SIR JOSEPH WARD. It is stated that a private meeting of citizens was held in Wellington this evening to make arrangements for a welcome to Sir Joseph Ward on his-re> turn from England at the end of 1 this month. SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL. It is not yet known when Sir William Russell will be able to rome tol Wellington to be sworn in as a Legislative Councillor. According to the latest reports he is still confined, to uis home by illness. TO-DAY’S BUSINESS,

WELLINGTON, July 2. Although the question of the Chair* mauship of Committees has not yet been definitely settled indications point to the election of Mr. Malcolm. According to lobby rumour the question of “North v, South” has something to do with the selection of Chairman. Last year the Speakership was held by a South Island member and the Chairmanship by a Northern member. Now that a Northern member has been installed in the Speaker’s chair there is a feeling that equilibrium should be restore?! by appointing a Southern member as Chairman, ft is stated that the question will be discussed at the Government caucus, probably to-mor-row. This afternoon’s sitting will be taken up with answers to questions. The Address-in-Eeply debate commences this evening. It is expected that both Messrs. Wilkinson and Statham will probably occupy a full hour and that the opening speaker for the Opposition will take up the same time. These three speakers are likely to fill in the evening’s sitting.

When you. ‘sleep in,” “Camp” Coffee is a boon. Enables you to have delicious coffee for breakfast when otherwise you might have to* go without. LU