LIBERAL PARTY CAUCUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16632, 31 August 1917, Page 4

LIBERAL PARTY CAUCUS.

THE VACANT PORTFOLIO. HALF-A-DOZEN ASPIRANTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, j WELLINGTON. Thursday. A meeting of the members of the Liberal Party was held this morning' The official report states that all the members in Wellington were present, and those absent were accounted for. The party met for a general discussion on matters of interest affecting it as a whole, and the following motion was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting of the members of the Liberal Party desires to pledge its continued loyalty to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, its leader, and wishes to leave the settlement of all matters affecting the party to him." All the Liberal Ministers were present, and the question of tilling the vacancy in the Cabinet and the position of the party generally was fully discussed. The official report concludes by stating that " Sir John Findlay was warmly welcomed as a member of the party." Information gathered from other sources indicates that Sir Joseph Ward had something to say to a section of his party regarding the necessity for " playing the game," and that he was asked for assurances as to the future of the party. There are supposed to be about half-a-dozen candidates for the vacant portfolio, and it is not surprising that the meeting did not undertake the delicate task of making a selection. It was decided to place the responsibility for the filling of the vacancy on the shoulders of Sir Joseph Ward. It is practically certain that no selection will be made until after the close of the session. The meeting lasted for two hours and a-half.