THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 298, 15 December 1911, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

PREJmEirS INTENTION. WILL WAIT JFOR UAOBI POLLS AND-COMPLETE RETURNS. (By Cables—Press- Association*—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, this day. Speaking to a "Post" representative to-day. Sir Joseph Ward said he would not come to a decision as to his future course of action until after the complete returns are in and the Maori elections are completed on Tuesday nest. A GRAVE CRISIS. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. SUSTAINED REACTION IMPOSSIBLE. SIR JAMES CARROLL, INTERVIEWED Sir James Carroll, Minister for Native Affairs, who is at present in Auckland, interviewed by a "Star" representative this morning, said that while accepting unreservedly the expression of the vriil of the people as disclosed in yesterday'B poll, he felt convinced that it was only confusion of the true issues that could make such a result possible. The public | mind had been played upon and poisoned | to such an extent that it had proved impossible for the people to form a fair and national estimate of the value to them and the country of the men who had SO long managed their estate. Doubt I and the inherent desire for change had therefore been contributing factors. As a matter of fact, in trying to re-ad the signs of the times one could see on the horizon growing forces struggling to And expression—forces that, once concreted, must outdistance anything yet accomplished in the way of reform. It was idle to suppose that the elections just over gave anything like a true index of the requirements of the country. Meanwhile the other side had had their ranks strengthened by circumstances that could only be regarded as ephemeral. The:r j object and aim had been to draw a veil over the great work performed by the Liberal party, and in this they had temporarily succeeded. He had unbounded faith, however, in the sober sense of the community, and even at this juncture felt the "impulse of the rising tide of Liberalism in its -association with the broad, constructive policy of humane legislation affecting in' its essentials the great mass of the people, and particu- i larly the toilers. If in the large l-anuly of Liberalism and Labour domestic differences, as sometimes happens, had I arisen, the appearance of a common j danger would remove these differences j and lead to that cordial understanding ■ and mutual helpfulness that constitutes j true blood relationship. ... i The political situation at this juncture, continued Sir James, was unquestionably serious and it was not too much to say that New Zealand was in the greatest crisis of her history. Many causes had contributed to produce the result arrived at; yet it was unbelievable that the present situation was more than a passing expression of unrest on the part of the people. When the great ma-ss of the people passed in review the legislation of the last twenty years and realised the enormous benefits conferred upon the workers of New Zealand whether on the farm as small owners or as workers or in the factory or shop, tbey could not conclude -but that the Government was working in their best interests. Th*. series of finance measures that initiated the principle of aid to those wjho were willing to aid themselves, that bejrinning with the Advances to Settlers and evolving till thev reached the Workers Homes Act, bad not yet been fully "■rasped. The humane legislation that evolved from the old age pensions to widows' pensions and State annuities had afforded relief to thousands of deserving colonists. The Acts placed upon the Statnte Book in aid of worker* generally formed a galaxy of legislation unknown in any land on earth- The present crisis would cause the workers of New Zealand to realise the good will of the Government towards them. Whatever the final result might be, the fact stood out clearly and indisputably that the Government initiated and carried through during its period of office a ■broad instructive platform embodied in measures for the ibenefit of the worker, the small farmer, and the public of New Zealand as a whole. "You mav judge the tide from the ripples. Some things become, reasonably certain," added the Minister. "In my opinion, the bonds that unite Liberalism and Labour are so firmly knit that no passing wave of discontent can in any way sever them. Liberalism has too long championed and fosteTed Labour for them to remain-permanently apart. Their cause is rme—ihe ultimate triumph of the great principle enunciated succinctly in the aphorism, the greatest good of all. Liberalism is evolution. Reaction cannot for long maintain itself against the great evolutionary forces of which to-day Liberalism and Labour arc the manifest expression." POLITICAL HOODLUMISM. A TJISGRACEFTJI* EXHIBITION., PREMIER "THREATENED WITH \IOLENCE. WILD BUSH FOR THE GATES. (By Telesrraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The proceedings In cennecbion with the election culminated here in a disgraceful exhibition of political hoodlumism. As Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by Lady Ward and Wis* Ward, left ■the •Times" Office-after-midnight, and. started to walk qwieily home, a band of larrikins, some mere youths, commenced a hostile demonstration, and followed -them nil along Ine Quay and up Hill-street to Awarua House, groaning, yelling, and threatening i violence. The Inspector of Police and several constables formed .themselves into a bodyguard and protected the email party #rom tlie crowd, wliicSi was evidently in a decidedly unpleasant mood. It appeared to the onlookers that the police were -very careful not to excite the crowd to further efforts, and displayed a degree of caution which was somewhat remarkable under the circumstances. A 6 the party entered the grounds of Awarua House, the foremost members of the crowd made a wild rash for the gates, which, however, were dosed in their faces. Some of the more ; yeatwreEome endear wni to scramble

over, but were pulled down by the police. Tie crowd then, at the instance of the police, dispersed, after Tenting Ha feelinga in groans and hootings. Lady *°d lEbs Ward were obviously distressed at the hostile demonstration, which was the most- disgraceful ever witnessed in the political history of Wellington, tnough not regarded as of "the slightest political significance. A NEW LIBERAL AND LABOUR PARTY. OPINION OF THE HON. GEO. fOWLOS. Interviewed by a "Star" reporter this morning, the Hon. Geo. Fowkls said: "I think the main feature of the election is the signa! victory of the liquor party. The Trade has recognised the grim determination of a large majority of the people of New Zealand to abolish the liquor traffic, and have with wonderful success made a niiguty effort to buy a prolonged existence by securing the election of three-fifth candidates. Apart from cheating and the many other peculiar forms of Trade influence, the national prohibition majority is probably very much greater than the iniquitous three-fifths handicap -which the law requires. We can never get decent clean politics in this country until we get the liijuor traffic out of politics, and we can never get the liquor traffic out of politics until we get it out of the country. 1 think it is the finest thing which has happened in New Zealand in my time to get all the monopolists, land, liquor, etc., into one ca.ro.p as we have got them at this election, and Mr. Massey is entitled to all the gratification he can get out of the very moderate success which the combination has brought to his party. The action of leading. Oppositionists in going into the Maaterton electorate while Mr. A. W. Hogg was lying ill, shows that they would be prepared to dig success out of the cemetery. My own defeat is merely the result of a passing wave of mental aberration, backed by a combination of Opposition and liquor interests. I think the u.T.on of Mr. Massey and the liquor party in support of Scheme 45 and revolutionary Socialism is simply lovely. The elections have" divided the people generally into two classes—on the one hand those who believe in clean sport, clean homes and hotels, and social justice; on the other hand those who believe in gambling, liquor and monopoly.. Although the latter have gained a temporary advantage in the first encounter, the drawing of this clear dividing line is a very great gain, and I venture to suggest that for some years to come it wUI mark the permanent line oi party cleavage. If the now Parliament could only unite to pass into law a proportional system of representation, and then dissolve, it would make itself memorable in the history of New Zealand. The condition of parties gives one no hope of a stable government, except by means of political deals and intrigues which would bo dangerous to the country. Personal!". I am neither sad nor downh<»artencd at the result of my own election contest, or at the result of the elections gencrallly. I intend to join at once with others in ■organising a real Labour-T.-i.bpra] party on the democratic i basis of a bare majority."

THE OPPOSITION CHALLENGE WHEH WILL IT COME' The matter of what is the constitu- i tional practice in the case of a Ministrj being in a minority at the elections j was the subject of an interview this morning with Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who j •was for many years Speaker in the House of Representatives, and is an authority on parliamentary procedure. He stated to a "Star" reporter that he had known of occasional instances at Home where the Government of the day, on having a sweeping majority against it at the elections, had resigned Hnmediately r before Parliament met. But in a case where the margin between the two parties was email it was the custom to wait till Parliament re-assembled. The first business of Parliament was to elect the Speaker, and at Home he had known that appointment to be used as a trial of strength between the parties. Sir Maurice did not think, however, that, if the Prime Minister decided to await the re-assembling, the teat would como on the Speaker's election, as Sir Arthur Guinness was very popuhrr in the House. Mr Massey would probably take the first opportunity after the Speaker's election to challenge the Government's position with a no-confidence motion. Still, 1 have hopes," concluded Sir Maurice, "that Sir Joseph Ward will prove himself, as he undoubtedly is, the ablest man in ibe House." NO WORKING MAJORITY. HON. J. A. MLLLAK'S VIEW. (By Telegraph-—Press Association.) DTJNEDIN, this day. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, interviewed this morning, said: "As things are at present, there appears to be little chance of any party having a decent working majority. It is, however, impossible to come to a definite conclusion on the flgnxes at present." MR. JAMES ALLEN'S VIEW. "v ■ ■ MASSEY COULD CAREY ON. (By Teleeruph.—rreis Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. Mr, James.Allen says it ia the clear duty of Sir Joseph Ward to call Parlia-; raent together rmmeaiately. In that cc.se i a no-eonfldenee motion would be passed. 1 Without doubt Mr. Massey would bal able to carry on, but if such were not \ the case, anottier election was Inevit-| able. Ho did not think the country I would stand that. I Mr G. M. Thomson agreed, adding that j if the Ministry attempted to fill the High Commissionerehip or appoint Legislative Councillors the Governor should assert his prerogative. WAIMARXKO. LATEST FIGURES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAIHAPE, this day, With t*o very small returns outstanding the Waimarino resyjfc is Smith, 3057; Heekley, 2576. The absentee votes will probably increase Sraith'« majority.