THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14237, 28 December 1911, Page 7

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT RESIGN?

(srECIAL TO "THE TRESS.") WELLINGTON, Decemuer 27. Sir Joseph Ward went south to-night, and is to return to Wellington, on Friday. Tho opinion is held in certain quarters hero that tho still reticent Prime Minister'has gone south to consult with his Excellency the Governor, and possibly to hand in his resignation. This belief is founded on two developments which have taken place during the last day or two. One is that Mr T. M. Wilford, member for the Hutt, and a strong Government ' supporter, definitely announced to-day that ho is leaving to-morrow tor Eiigland by the Corinthic, for health reasons, which means the loss of a sure vote; and secondly, that at a conference of three of the Labour membours held in Wellington, two decided to stand firm by their election pledge to voto aga-wtsi tho Ward Government, despite the persuasive arguments of the third to induce them to do otherwise. Tho fourth Labour member (Mr Payne, M.P. for Groy Lynn), has expressed his views in. no uncertain manner, and it is not conceivable that they could be accepted by the Government, in which case Sir Joseph Ward loses at loast^ three of tho four Labour votes, and also Mr Wilford'e. In this position the resignation theory must be seriously accepted.