LABOUR CAUCUS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20282, 4 December 1935, Page 8

LABOUR CAUCUS

CONFIDENCE IN LEADER MR SAVAGE SELECTS HIS CABINET By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 3. Members of the Parliamentary Labour Party returned at the recent general election, as well as two Legislative Councillors and members of the central executive of the Labour Party, met in the Government whips’ room under the chairmanship of the Leader of the Labour Party and the Prime Minister-elect (Mr M. J. Savage) to dicuss the political situation. The discussion, which was of a preliminary nature, lasted for more than an hour and shortly after noon the meeting adjourned until 7 o'clock In the evening. In addition to the 53 members of the Labour Party elected on Wednesday last, there were present the two Ratana Maori members, Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Southern Maori) and Mr T. Ratana (Western Maori), the Hon. T. O’Byrne, M.L.C., the Hon. M. Fagan M.L.C. and the following members of the central executive of the Labour Party, Messrs J. Roberts (vice-presi-dent), T. Brindle, P. M. Butler, P. Dowse, G. T. Thurston and E. Spurr. On entering the Government whips’ room, Mr Savage was given a rousing reception, members of the caucus rising and cheering. The meeting unanimously passed a motion expressing high appreciation of Mr Savage’s services in the past and particularly during the recent election campaign, congratulating him on the success of his leadership and expressing unbounded confidence in him in the future. The motion was carried amid cheers. Those present enthusiastically sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” A motion was also carried expressing appreciation of the service of tht Labour candidates who were defeatec at the poll. The deputy-leader of the Labour Party (Mr P. Fraser), who acted as spokesman for the Party, said that no announcement was yet available regarding the personnel of the Labour Ministry. A statement would be made in due course by Mr Savage. Mr Fraser also announced that messages of congratulation had been received from the following—Major Attlee, Leader of the British Labour Party; Mr J. Middleton, general secretary of the British Labour Party; Mr J. Curtin, leader of Parliamentary Labour Party in the Commonwealth of Australia; the Hon. R. Forgan Smith Premier of Queensland; the Hon. P Collier, Premier of Western Australia; the Hon. J. T. Lang, leader of the New South Wales Labour Party; the Hon. A. G. Ogilvie, Premier of Tasmania; Major C. H. Douglas, the Douglas Social Credit Organisation in Ottawa and Mr J. Simpson, Mayor of Toronto New Ministry Selected Although no official statement wai made as to the personnel of the first Labour Ministry in New Zealand, there was little scope for doubt after the comparatively short sitting of the Party caucus to-night that the Cabinei had been selected. The Prime Minister-elect declined tc reveal the names of his Ministeria colleagues, explaining that as a matter of courtesy it would not be proper tc disclose the list of Ministers befon submitting it to the Governor-Genera on Thursday morning. It appears reasonably certain thai the strength of the first Labour Cabinei will be 12 members, and from indications to-night it can be stated with £ considerable degree of confidence thai the Ministry will include at least tin following:—Messrs M. J. Savage (Primf Minister), P. Fraser, W. Nash, W. E Parry, W. J. Jordan, R. Semple, D. G Sullivan, H. T. Armstrong and W. Let Martin. There are also grounds foi believing that Mr W. E. Barnard wil either receive Cabinet rank as Mlnistei of Justice and Attorney-General, oi else appointment as Speaker. The general view Is that the post he does not fill will be allotted to Mr H. G R. Mason.