THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 119, 20 May 1912, Page 3

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

ZO THE EIHTOB. Sir, — I was rather amused on reading Sir. F. T. Moore's letter, appearing in your issue of the 16th, regarding the political situation. Mr. Moore refers to the Hon. J. A. Millar's possible desertion of Liberalism in favour of Mr. Massey and the Conservative Liberals, thus throwing Mr. Millar into the arms of Mr. Massey, with possibly a short term of office for a Massey-Millar combination. I believe that such statements are absurd, and that Mr. Moore is barking up_ the wrong tree. In x^\y opinion there is not a shadow of doubt that the above is not possible, and that Mr. Millar has not deserted Liberalism for Masseyism. Take the Hon. J. A. Millar's statement of the 10th. He says the defeat of the Mackenzie Ministry is certain, and that "so far as I can learn that the Government will be in the minority when the question is tested." Mr. Millar added that if Parliament survived the first session, there would certainly be no dissolution, and it would serve its full term. Now, sir, I submit the statement made by Mr. Millar does not indicate that he has decided to support Masseyism and throw Liberalism to the winds. I might state that Iv am not writing as a champion of the Hon. J. A. Millar, as he is well able to take care of himself, but his past 'actions towards the Massey party .make it impossible for him to join hands with them. That being so, what part will he take in the dramatic act which is about to commence ? Mr. Millar is of the opinion that the Mackenzie Government is doomed, and that the other party, meaning the Massey party, must certainly have the opportunity of forming, a Government. If that is so, what attitude will Mr. Millar take up when the No-Confidence motion is moved by Mr. Massey ? Will he go over to the benches of the Opposition and vote against the Mackenzie Government ? That is not possible. How, then, will the defeat of the Government come about ? Will it be through the agency of Mr. Millar and his followers 1 There is only one possible way Mr. J. A. Millar can follow without bringing discredit on himself and the party which he has so faithfully served during his Parliamentary career. There is not the slightest doubt when the No-Confidence motion is moved by Mr. Massey against the Mackenzie Ministry that Mr. J. A. Millar and party -will remain neutral. Then Mr. Massey will be called on to form a Government, and Mr. Millar's time will come. He will move a Want-of-Confideuce motion against the Massey Government, and should he be successful the Millar Government would be able to command the support of the House. He should then be able to hold the House for its full term; but, on the other hand, should he be defeated the same as the Mackenzie and Massey Ministries, then we can look- for a general election towards the end of the year. — I am, etc., 18th May. A, DEVENPORT.