THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15158, 23 December 1914, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

UNTRUE STATEMENTS REFUTED.

MEETING OF OPPOSITION* PARTY.

.STATEMENT BY PWMT"; MINISTER.

j (.JrECIJU, TO •'THE FUESS. .) AVELLIXGTON. Pocombcr 22This morning tho 'Now Zcalan-'i Times , ' .announced thai a northern member, a recent Government acquisition, hod quarrelled with a- Cabinet, Minuter, and that the matter had developed into rather a serious breach with his political t-hiofs. The"Tim«" added that "whether or not it- is t-ufii-cient to raakc him justified in leaving his acquired camp for the party to which h-> formerly belonged, it is hard t-o say." Asked whether there vras any truth in this statement, Mr Massey replied emphatically that there was not a word of truth in it. Several northern members had been to see him since the election, and each had gone back in good spirits, after having .expressed .-i determination to stand by tho party in every possible way. They had also expressed voluntarily their willingness to give the. leader a free hand in doiny what might seem best, under tho circumstances. Another statement made, by tho "Times" was to tho effect that a member of tiio Reform Party would vote <in a crisis with Sir Joseph "Ward »v order to make a stable Government. Tho statement Is, on tho faco of :t, ridiculous. There has not for years been any sign of disloyalty in the party, and it is not likely that anyone would turn traitor at tho present juncture. But apart altogether from this tho ono vote suggested would scarcely mako a stablo Government ior Sir Joseph. Ward. The "Times" makes another statement that is equally devoid of foundation, namely, that Dr. Poma'ro cam© back from the North and hastened to mako a report to his chiefs, but- that tho report was not of a highly satisfactory character from tho Massey Party's point of view. This statement, both Mr Massey and Dr. Pomaro say, is absolutely untrue. As a matter of actual fact, Dr. Pomare's report was of a most satisfactory character. The statement that I>r. Pomaro was rofused an invitation to the meeting cf Maori chiefs at Kawakawa is also untrue. The "alliance" is evidently very hard put to it when it has to resort to such tactics in its attempt to maintain a cheerful front under eomewhat depressing circumstances. THE DIFFICULTY. Sir Joseph Ward's main difficulty is undoubtedly the co-ordination, or it least tho co-operation, of tho diverse elements that form tho present Opposition. In its initial stages this difficulty -will no doubt b© easily overcomo, for tho Labour-Socialists have sworn to swallow any pill, however bitter, so long as they can encompass the destruction of tho Massey Party. Whether or not tho heterogeneous Opposition will continue to. swallow the medicine necessary to keep life in tho party over an extended period is another matter. That ako is a question in -which the country' would like to have a say. Different medicines will bo recrnirod for different sections ,of tho party, and what will suit tho constitution of the Labour-Socialist may not be agreeable to tho Moderate-Liberal. Howevor. with a following of onty 33 in a Houso of 80, Sir Joseph Ward must needs placato the Labour-Socialists, .it least two of whom would have to be taken into the Cabinet. Tho difficulties in regard to Cabinet-making— at any time not an easy matter— would in tho present instance bo greatly accentuated, and even after that difficulty was overcome, fho spur of tho Labour-Socialist not) I>c in tho least agreeable to the Wardist Party, but more especially to that section of ii. is denerdent upon ihe country voto. MR 31-ASSEY'S REVIEW OP THE POSITION. (sraciAL to "the ■ i'iuess.") WELLINGTON. December 22. Tho Primo Minister (f.ho Right Hon. W. F. MapEoy) summed up tho position to-night* in the following statement:— •'Tho different sections of which tha 1 Opposition is n:.'idc up, and the in-<!i.-id*.ial .t.oma-jjs t!ur.-eoi\ possess their touls in patience. If a few noisy imlivi-Ji-als think nuat by i , !amour of nusreprecntation they are goinc; to uffect mv or the Jtcforai Party they never undo a greater mistake in their lives. The present position may not bo satisfactory to any ono of tho parties concerned, but it is decidedly interesting. The lleiorm Party consists at present of a solid forty members, whatever may bo said to tho contrary; I know of what 1 am speaking, and I know th<vt to bo the fart. The other parties, all put together, mako up the same number. That is t£io position at present. Bui there aro possibilities. There ar»» several eJecorat«s wnero recounts aro still going on, and iv fcomo of them, judging by present appearances, there will bo appeals to tho courts by meane of olcctioD petitions. Until tho recounts and tho election petitions are dealt wiih no man on earth can toll accurately what tho position will b<?. I am optimistic enoi'gh to believe that tl«re will b« an improvement from tfhe point of view of the Reform Party, but i? not the mast other parties will bo ah!o to tay will be that their joint forces nun her as m.my a<> that of our party, and I need hardU' point out that one united party is much more likely to be succesfnl than a party up into a number of factions and with scarco]y ono idea in common. I have already >atd that for tho country's sako I v,-ant to av>.<3 another election at present, and I say so now. But, whatever happens, there will bo no departure from iho principles tor ivhich wo havo contended for m-in.v years past. As soon a» the actual position of parties is ascertained tho Govtrrntnt v/:ll acl in accordance with it=. duties and responsibilities to th> pcoplo ol the Dominion, and there th_> matter must rest." OPPOSITION MEETING. (srECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, December 22. The Opposition Party held a meeting in Wellington this morning, thirtvono of Sir Ward's party and fivo momben-. of the Labour-Social Democratic Party being present. Tho Meeting Lasted between two and threo hours, and was said to be enthusiastic, but from what little could be gathered | afterwards some members of tho ■ "Liberal" Party were not too chee--fnl at tho prospect of having to work i

should ho hr any chanco bo enabled tA~ i rrip Hv> reins of office. w I (rp.KSS AfJOn.Ulrt.V TFLEGRAM.I : * WELLINGTON. December &■ * ' The oven! Mi the political f-ituati'oft to-day was the bis mpctiuj. o f t jj e . position, which took plare in to© o y Parliament. ]>n;i-:in-5. Both rwt-oas of tho Opposition--tho Liberal labour J > ;irti«--ivore> represented. &ni of iln forty, elected member.*, only four wore jiWm. am! those from tin". 1 avoidiMe cnu:,\< The absentees the Hon. P. i? M ,Mo and Mr R. McCsdfoin (Liberal). :iv.<\ AValkor aafl Munro .\ic-h wrote aoologisJm; torthoir ak-in.\ am! thcU solvo> in ontir.> :u-oo;(i with aiiy"actioo« thf> take. ,i - : At. ilio conclusion of the irwting ; L.;3der -f i.o ,Sir .Jceepli \\ard> made a brief statement to Uia \ Press ropri-sent.-.tivos Aver ;» \ enco to til* unannnity of the- proeoed. ' .\ inss and the ent.hti>si:ism oxliih:u>d, J» ft - ' that the tolluwinji had been carried Knaniiuonsl\ : ■That this moctincc of memlxT.s of trio House of roeorus its hearts , cou<_;ra: liatiujis to Sir Ward on t-he rixsiil: o! thi» -lions, nr.i] expresses its entire i-oniideme ;n him as loader. Jt ttirther pietlce.r. to loyally supl port hini in any action ho may titkn in ; . onnexion with t':o nrevsent crisis and ■ during *he present Parliament." Rotations of rogret at tho death of the lato Hon. V".' Montßorficcy and tho defeat of Iho iii'lividtial members of tlw party at the elections, \ntii jiood wishva fnr fufttro success, were aho pa«fcd. In renly to :i question .is to what policy thf Opposition would ptirsno, Sir Joseph Ward en id ho was not. t>ns pnred at. tlio present timo to niako statement on tho subject. All ho could say wn>s that tho party was absolutely united -md perfectly -unauimotts • in its euppcrt. OHIXEMURI SEAT. tritres ASSOCIATION TELEGRAS.^ HAMILTON. Decombor SB. Mr Joseph Clark, the Befonu ■ eandidAtei for O!ii"omtiri. who was defeated by Mr H. Poland by one hm-: dred votos, has lodscvl a petition fore recount. 'WELLINGTON EAST R.EOOTJST. (press association tkleokxm.) WELLINGTON, December 22. Tho Magisterial recount of tlio rote cast in the Wellington East electioii was carried out to-day. The result is stated to be a confirmation of Dr. Newman as head of the poll, with »., slightly decreased majority, but tie' actual fisureis are not yet disclosed. A recount has been asked for in ik* . • Bay of Islands election. Tjhere Mr - Vernon Rood had a majority of 111. D'jNEDIN CENTRAL. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEIJSGE.ASIS.) DUNEDIN, December 22. Tie official recount of the votes cafct in the Dunedti. Central election vaj commenced to-day, boforo Mx H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. Though tho work was continued in tho evening, tho count was not completed, and was adjourned .. till 10 a.m. to-morrow. ■• ellesmp:re seat. In tho EUesmere electorate, the » votes of tho Expeditionary Force were . , - as follows :—Government 33, Opposition • . L 15, Labour 5. As tho Labour rote*,' went to the opposition, candidal tio Hon. R. H. Ithidcs's majority tras'increase4 by This makes the ■ final rettirn as follows: — lion. H. H. Rhodes (R.) ... 2537 . J. C. Free (0.) ... ... 3624 . ' Majority , for Rhodes .... 573