THE CAUCUS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 70, 22 March 1912, Page 8

THE CAUCUS.

CHOOSING A LEADER. THE LIBERAL PARTY CONFERRING. LENGTHS SITTING. The conference between the Liberal, Labour and Independent members of the House to discuss the question of the election of a new leader commenced at Parliament Buildings at" 8 o'clock last night. At 1 o'clock this morning the meeting adjourned, and it was announced that no decision had been arrived at. The Labour members present- were Messrs. Veiteh (Wanganui), Robertson (Otaki), and Payne (Gray ■Lynn). Messrs. lsitt and Atmore (Independents) were also present. Every precaution was taken to prevent outsiders getting anywhere near tho Cabinet-room, and it is evident that member* have been pledged to secrecy as to what transpired at the conference. The most that can be gathered is that members have been having a free discussion. There are, too, signs that the discussion has not been of the pleasantest description, and it is gathered that some whp have in the past considered their claims to Ministerial status have •been; overlooked have made their protest in forcible terms. ■ The conference resumed its sitting at 11 o'clock thie' morning, and at 1 o'clock gave a luncheon to Sir Joseph Ward. It was announced that no definite issue had been arrived at. Members were as reticent as before, but it was gathered that the conference had got very Titfcle further. The difficulty appears to come from a small section of the combind parties, and it is possible that the deliberations may extend over a long period* THE LATEST. It is understood that when the Caucus resumed this morning there was a, possibility of Mr. Miller being elected, but three Labour members made such a decided opposition to the prbposal that it was evident a settlement' could not be arrived at. Then Mr. T. Mackenzie 'was proposed and when the adjournment for luncheon took place a division was imminent. Since the party reassembled this -afternoon, word nas come out in an unofficial ■ manner that a division has been taken^ but no intimation hae been made as to the result. The understanding, it is said, was that if neither of those Ministers was chosen unanimously an endeavour would be made to have a third person chosen, and in this connection the name of Mr. Laurenson is mentioned. SIR JOSEPH WARD. ENTERTAINED AT A LUNCHEON. During the adjournment the members of the party entertained Sir Joseph Ward at lunch in the Parliamentary Buildings. Sir Arthur Guinness, Speaker of the House of Representatives, presided. The toast of "Our Guest" was proposed by Mr. J. A. Hanan, and received with loud applause. The presence of so marry c men representing the progressive political parties was, he considered, , a splendid tribute to Sir Joseph Ward s private and public virtues. He had held the position of Prime Monister in a manner that commanded the respect and admiration of a very great number of people,- who recognised his outstanding ability, that he had won the .position from_ that of an ordinary member, and in his career they saw testimony to the fact that if a man had ability, and character he could, no matter what his beginnings were, reach the highest position in the country. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward had always »een a worker in tne cause of social and democratic reform, and he had achieved a. worldwide reputation as a Postal reformer. His work at the Imperial Conference had won for him a reputation as a statesman, «of . which they had every reason to be proud. His name, must he ever associated with some of the most progressive legislation on the Statute Book^ such as the Extension of the Parliamentary franchise to local elections, the introduction of water-power, the Workers' Compensation Act, hospital and charitable aid legislation, and those not blinded by party feeling must admit that Sir Joseph Ward had served his country faithfully and well. History, ,he was sure, would do him justice, and the one thing that would stand was his decision to retire from the leadership of the party, and his undertaking to do his best for the party as a private member. He was going to go into the ranks. Although he might retire for a year or two, they would ultimately find him occupying a position which his ability and talents merited. (Applause.) He had been subjected to a system of, persecution that no other man in New Zealand (Mr. Payne : Except Payne," and laughter). *He was not going to put Mr. Payne on the same pedestal as Sir Joseph Ward. • No one had subjected to such personal prejudice, as SirJoseph Ward. Time would euro that sort of thing; the people would recognise in time that they had done him a grievous injustice. He wished to associate with the toast the name of Lady Ward and the members of his family. The toast was drunk with musical honours. Mr. A. M. Myers, in supporting the toast, said that Sir Joseph Ward had always in the past risen to every occasion, and he believed he would do uo in ' future. He was a man whom the Dominion could ill afford to spare. (Applause.) At present there was a revulsion of feeling throughout the Dominion in favour of Sir Joseph Ward, and he ventured to ■say that if an elertion was held to-morrow those wlo had voted against Liberal candidates would reverse their votes, because they realised that we could not afford to lose Sir Joseph Ward. (Hear, hear.) It must be a source of gratification to Sir Joseph to find that, in spite of a policy of misrepresentation and slander, he was never, probably, nearer to the hearts of the people in his life than he is at the present time. (Applause.) They would not allow him to remain long in private fife; it might be that his destiny lay »n Imperial matters. Throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand there was a strong feeling of gratitude towards Sir Joseph Ward and a hope that he would yet be able to Tender valuable service to the Dominion and the Empire. (Applause.) SIR JOSEPH WARD'S REPLY. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his reply, saitf he felt deeply the compliment paid him. Naturally, he felt the severance from the party, whose assistance and co-operation he gratefully acknowledged. He added that it was marvellous to look back and see the way in which the country had been developed during the past twenty years, and saul that the prasent gathering would always be to him a happy memory, and that the members of the party were all animated by a desire to bring about a fortunate issue to a difficult position. He felt sure they would select a Leader who would be capable of carrying on the work of the party and facing any cifiiculties that might arise. The abu6a of the motor-car system at elections was pu abiuso that ought to b« reckoned with, , und. lie suggested that Ike use 'uf

vehicles on polling day should be prohibited, but that in counting electorates the State should employ motor cars, carrying the Returning Officer and scrutineei3, to go round among the people — women, and such persons, and Eo on — and thus go still further towards ensuring the recording of votes. It' in addition they prohibited canvassing they would get as near to a perfect electoral system as possible, and , enouro the return of the best men to Parliament. (Applause.) He had been a hardworking man all his life, since he began work at 12 years of age, and he should not be sorry to be clear of the heavy responsibilities of office. Whatever he might be doing, he would always feel it a- pleasurable duty to assist the Liberal party, with which he had been connected for so many years. He also voiced his pleasure at the way in which members of the Maori race had expressed their kindly feeling towards him at tho present juncture, and, finally, thanked the gathering for. the honour they had done him. (Applause.)