LABOUR CAUCUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 284, 4 December 1935, Page 8

LABOUR CAUCUS

MOMENTOUS MEETING WHOLE PARTY PRESENT [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. One of the most momentous meetings ir. the political history of New Zealand was held in Parliament Buildings to-day. Members cf the Parliamentary Labour Party returned at the ra rent General Election, as well as two Legislative Councillors and members of the Central Executive of the Labour Party, met in the Government Whip’s room under the chairmanship of the Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister elect (Mr. M. J. Savage) to discuss the political situation Tue discussion, which was of a preliminary nature, lasted for just over an hour, and shortly after noon the meeting adjourned until seven o’clock this evening. In addition to the 53 members of the Labour Party elected on Wednesday last, there were present the two Ratana Maori Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Southern Maori), and Mr. T. Ratana (Western Maori), the Hon. T. O’Byrne, M.Ij«C., and the Hon. M. Fagan. M.L.C.. and the following members of the Central Executive of the Labour Party:— Mr. J. Roberts (vice-president). Mr. T. Brindle. Mr. P. M. Butler, Mr. P. Dowse. Mr. G. T. Thurston, and Mr. E. Spurr. On entering the Government Whip’s room, Mr. Savage was given a rousing re?eption, 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, and those present enthusiastically sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” A motion was also carried expressing appreciation nf the services of Labour candidates who were defeated at Ihe poll. The Deput'Loader of the Labour Party (Mr. P. Fraser), who acted as spokesman for the party, said that no announcement was vet 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. .1. Curtin, Leader of the Parliamen *ary Labour Party in the Common wealth of Australia: the Hon. R Forgan. Premier of Queensland: th

Hon. P. Collier, Premier of West Australia; rhe Hon. J. T. Lang, Leader of the New South Wales Labour Parly: the Hon. A. G, Ogi’vie. Premier of Tasmania; Major C. H. Douglas; the Douglas Social Credit Organisation, in Ottawa; and Mr. J. Simpson, Mayor of Toronto. The Speaker. . The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Charles Statham, who has been in residence at Parliament Buildings for some days now, has I vacated his rooms. This does not mean [that his occupancy cf the office of Speaker lias terminated. Under the I constitution. Sir Charles will continue jto a< t as Speaker until his successor is appointed., This will not take place (until Parliament is called together, I probably in February next year. -—- ■ LABOUR CABINET EXPECTED PERSONNEL LITTLE SCOPE FOR DOLBT lr „. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. | A :hough no official statement was I made as to the personnel of the first Lao >ur Ministry m New Zealand there | was !jttle scope for doubt, after a coml paratively short sitting of the Party I caucus to-night, that the Cabinet had ■ been selected. The Prime Ministerl elect declined to reveal the names of | his Ministerial colleagues, explaining | that as a matter of courtesy, it would ;

not be proper to disclose the list of Ministers before submitting it to the Governor-General on Thursday morning. It appears reasonably certain the strength of the first Labour Cabinet will be twelve members and from indications to-night it can be stated with a considerable degree of confidence that the Ministry will include at least the following:—Messrs M. J. Savage (Prime Minister). P. Fraser. W. Nash, W. E. Parry, W. J. Jordan, R. Semple, D. G. Sullivan, H. T. Armstrong, W. Lee Martin. There are also grounds for believing that Mr W. E. Barnard will either receive Cabinet rank as Minister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral or else the appointment as Speaker. The general view is that the post he does not fill will be allotted tc Mr H. G. R. Mason.