POLITICAL SITUATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16742, 24 December 1914, Page 6

POLITICAL SITUATION.

POSITION OF PARTIES. OPPOSITION UNITED. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, December 23. slembers of Parliament who came north to-day after attending the caucus of tho Opposition in Wellington on Tuesday express great satisfaction at the cordial relations which have been established between tho Liberal and Labour Parties. <: lt was the most cheering meeting of the kind I have ever attended,” was tho comment of one of tho Liberal members. “ There was obsolute unanimity on all essential points and every one present was impressed by the utmost confidence and enthusiasm. The progressive parties have not been so solidly united at any other time since 1890. Sir Joseph Ward may be as suro of his supporters whenever lie wants them as ho will if their votes are actually recorded.” Mr sl’Combs, who came to Auckland with the other members on a visit, spoke in similar terms on behalf of the Labour members. “ Happily,” he said, “ our duty to the Labour Party is our duty to the Opposition. We do not rsally have to remove the Reformers from* tho Treasury benches, but we also want to assist in giving Sir Joseph Ward an opportunity to plan tho progressive legislation ho lias promised on the Statute Book. This legislation is not all wo want, but we shall bo glaci enough to get back to the conditions that prevailed in the heydey of Liberalism and to liavo the co-operation of the people to do the rest. There is no more chance of deserters from our side than there is on slr slassev’s. The party is positively solid, waiting for the Government to make its next move.” These representative statements were practically reiterated by all the members. OHINEMURI RECOUNTS. [Per Press Association.] | AUCKLAND, December 23. Tho Magisterial recount in connection with the Oliinemuri election will commence at Paeroa on December 29 before slr Rnwson, 5.51. SEEKING A SEAT FOR MR FISHER, [From Our Corrisfondrnt.] WELLINGTON, December 23. It is rumoured here that negotiations are going forward with a view to inducing slr Escott to resign the Pahiatua seat in order to allow. slr F. M. B. Fisher to obtain a place in the sun. ■lt is also stated that if the opening is made slr Atmore, who was defoated at Nelson, will be a certain starter. WELLINGTON EAST SEAT. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 23. The following aro tne final figures as the result of the recount of the Wellington East election, reducing Dr Newman’s majority by 39: A. K. Nowman (R.) . , . 4062 D. M’Laren (Lib.) . . . 4014 slajority for Newman .. . 48 Informal .... 64 DUNEDIN CENTRAL SEAT. RESULT OF OFFICIAL RECOUNT. OVER A HUNDRED VOTES INVALIDATED. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, December 23. Tho official recount of votes polled in tho Dunedin Central election was completed to-day. The result was declared as follows: O. E. Statham (R.) . . . 3744 J. W. 'Munro (L.) . . . 3732 slajority for Statham . . 12 Informal ’ . . . 199 The official result as given by tho returning officer was:—Munro. 3799, Statham 3791, informal 78. It is understood that 116 votes were invalidated through the error of one deputy-returning officer who marked voters’ numbers openly on the back of the voting papers instead of on the counterfoil only, thus violating the secrecy of the ballot. slr Munro stated to-night that the fault occurred in the Oaversham polling booth, where 116 voters were disfranchised practically through the incompetenoy of a poll clerk. Ho stated that of these votes 69 were in favour of himself and 47 in favour of slr Statham. Mr Statham was now 12 votes ahead, but if these voting papers had been correctly issued he (slr slunro) would have had a majority of 10. A meeting was being held to-night with a view to going into the •position, and if they found grounds for doing so the necessary steps would be taken to invalidate the election. It is understood that there is a possibility that Mr Statham, in view of the circumstances which have .arisen in connection with the recount in Dunedin Central, may consider .the question of resigning the seat for the purpose of contesting a fresh election. SIR 51 ASSET’S VIEWS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 23. The Right Hon W. F. slassev, in tho course of an interview yesterday, said the present position may not be satisfactory to any one of the parties concerned, but it is decidedly interesting. ‘‘The Reform Party,” he said, “consists of a solid forty members, and the other parties, all put together, made up the same number. That is the position at present, but there aro possibilities. There are several electorates whero recounts are still going on, and in some of them, judging by appearances, there will he appeals to the Courts by means, of election petitions. Until the recounts and election petitions are dealt with no man on earth can tell accurately what, the position will .be.. As soon as the position of parties is ascertained the Government will act in accordance with its duties and responsibilities to the people of the Dominion, and there the matter must rest.”