DIVISION EXPECTED TO-MORROW.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14289, 27 February 1912, Page 7

DIVISION EXPECTED TO-MORROW.

DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT PREDICTED. .NO MORE BROKEN PLEDGES EXPECTED. {srEctAii to "toe ratas.") ■WELLINGTON, February 26. The division by which members of tho House- of Representatives w ; ll decide the fate of tho Ward Administration will, it is now expected, bo taken $ither to-morrow or on Wednesday— most probably on the latter evening. Presuming that Mr Atmoro is with tho Opposition, only eomo. extraordinary development can now avert the defent of tho Government by a majority of two yot<?s. Tho manuc-r in which tho Wanganui Labour Committee appreciated the grnvitv of tho pledge given by Mr Yeitch line removed much of tho doubt by -which the situation has been obscured. The newspaper report of Saturday evening's meeting arc confirmed by Mr Veitch, who returned to Well ngion this evening. There is no valid reason for the continuation of tho debate beyond tho time tlflat would allow the Labour and the Independent members to., express their views, and during the week-end members generally expressed tho opinion that the House might bo allowed to divide this oven:ng. The Ministerial Party, however has not yet abandoned hope, and the debate w:u coutjnned this evening undimiaished vigour by 6upportor,s of the Government. Discussing tho position this evening, the 'Tost" declares that tho reason for the delay is that Ministers have hoped that procrastination -would onahlo them to induce some of the members pledged to their constituents to support a noconfidence motion, to voto against .it. That such a hopo could be entertained, and that it should have a reasonable chance of fulfilment, arq surely facts more discreditable- to the New Zealand Parliament than the week of undignified and futile wrangling with which it has ployed into tho hands of tho Government. If election peds«3 opoii'y given on the hustings are, not to be treated by al! parties nnd all members inviolably, what will bo left of the honour of X>olitics, -Mention is also made iv the article of tho resolutions by unions and tho public meetings which have purported to releaso tne representatives of Labour from their pledges, and tho Writer very justly, demonstrates tlio unimportance of such resolutions whew roviowed in contrast with tho fact that "Tho given by Labour candidates to voto against the Government l is that they weru given to 6ecure, and did secure, the votes of electors wh,o wero ready to put tmido tho objections to tho Labour programme in order to effect what they regarded as tho paramount object—the defeat of the Government, ' During tho week-end tho political at. jiiosphcre has certainly, cleared, and tho prospects of victory for tho Reform Party which it must bo admitted wero clouded by tho debate on Friday, nw now as bright rts they wore before. A beaten party raises fresh hopes on very slight foundation, and Ministerialists ■went off for weok-end trips elated by tho conviction that tho allegations in connection with'tho lnombov for Groy Lynn had won tho day for them. Uut more mature consideration has shown them that not a single voto has been - affected by the sensational statements made on last sitting day. It has boon eaid that "Mnssoy stocks" were heavily depressed by tho debate, but if so they havo regained thoir former value, and the effect of tho reports from Wnnganui has apparently been to appreciate them, " Mr Maasey'fi manly statement in the House to-nijht has still further improved tho position. Mr Robertson aiid Mr Atmora liavo, not yet rondo definite announcements of > thoir attitude in relation to tho principal parties, and their speeches are being awa'ted with Merest. TVr© I were some erosinds-for the conclusion ! that Mr Robertson (the Labour member for Otakj) would disregard Ins pledges and vote with tho Govornsnent, but tho. firmness with which his col- • league has replied to the blandishment* of tho Ministerial Party may reassure him of tho rcspons : bi!ity of h?s pledge. Mr Atmore's brief remarks the other evening, and his speeches, provide sufficient grounds for anticipating that he will do his chare tn ouet tho present Admin-'stration. With assistance the Reform Party should carry Mr Massey's amendment b , " two votee, and should they al6o receive ihe" support of Mr Robertson (at present uncertain) its majority, will be four.