THE COMING CAUCUS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 4

THE COMING CAUCUS.

STATEMENT BY SIB JOSEPH WARtt (By Telegraph—Press AsEocln.tion.l Auckland, March 0. Sir Joseph Ward arrived this morning by train from Wellington. Ho had enthusiastic greetings at the townships en "interviewed, ho said nothing could b» said about tho conference to bo held to discuss the question of Cabinet reco'islruction beyond the fact that it would take place in Wellington on March 21 .when members of tho combined Liberal and Labour party would nice at his house for the purpose of selecting a leader. Then would come Cabinet reconstruction, _ but regarding the personnel of the Ministry there was as much uncertainty as regard, ing the namo of the Lender. Tho suggestion that Parliament should meet again in April Sir Joseph Ward described as absurd, and not in accord with the constitutional aspect of tho question. Parliament would not again meet till the end of June. "NOTHING SO WELL BECAME HIM." SIR JOSEPH WARD'S DEPARTURE PROM OFFICE. ■ Duncdin, March 10. At the close of tho social arranged in his honour at Middlemarsh, on Friday night, Mr. W. D. Mason said there had never been in Strath Taieri in-his experience such a renresentative gathering of tho Liberal party as they lind that night. Tho time had come when the Leader of tho Liberal party, purely and solely in the interests of that" party, was gome to give up the leadership. Thore was nothing that so well became Sir Joseph Ward in the whole courso of his career as tho manner in which ho hud laid down the reins or office. He moved «\ resolution congratulating Sir Joseph Ward on his manly, unselfish, and patriotic action in the interests of the Liberal party, and expressing deep regret that the position had been brought about thnt rendered that courso necessary on his part. The chairman (W. Robertson) seconded tho motion, and said he hoped Sir Joseph Ward would remain in New Zealand to help tho party, for it could very ill spare liim. . The Hon. T. Mackenzie: "He is going to do that." ~..,, The chairman: "We have a Ministers assurance that ho is going to stay with us in New Zealand."' (Applause.) _ _ The resolution was cairiod enthusiastically. HOKITIKA GATHERING. Hokitika, March 9. A public meeting will bo held in the Town Hall on Tuesday next for (ho purposo of expressing appreciation of tho important services rendered by Sir Joseph Ward as Prime .Minister and Leader of tho Liberal party. It has been arranged that tho Mayor "'ill preside, and most of ,th» public men of 'Hcstlond will take nartin the gathering, which will be representative of the district?