POLITICAL SITUATION.

Mataura Ensign, 15 December 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL SITUATION.

THE ONLY WAY! MILLAR OR WARD P A POLITICIAN'S OPINION. In the course of a brief conversation with an 'Juisign' reporter this afternoon a pi eminent xiieinber ol Parliament, pledged to the Liberal interest, said that tne political situation was a. very difficult one and only two courses were left open to the Premier—to resign or to call Parliament together. Ho attributed the Government's set-back largely to Sir Joseph Ward's Joss of prestige. In answer to a question the member, who desired to remain nameless, stated that tho whole position turned upon th® Independent and Labor members and ha thought that some of these could never, after the statements they had made, support a Government which had Sir Joseph Ward as its leader. The only way then that the Liberal party could continue in power was by calling on some other member and Hon. J. A. Millar was indicated as that member. Tho politician concluded by remarking that for various reasons iie did not wish his name to appear in connection with this statement at present, but it was his lirn. opinion nevertheless. "THE CLEAR DUTY." OPPOSITION OPINIONS. DUNEDIN, Dec. 15. Mr James Allen, the Opposition member for Bruce, says that the clear duty of Sir Joseph Ward is to call Parliament together immediately. In that case a no-confidence motion would be passed. Without doubt Mr Massev would be a bin to carry on, but if such was not the case another election waa inevitable and he did not think the country could si a; id that. Mr G. .M. Jh' ni.son (Duncdin North) agrees, adding tha: if the Ministry attempts to fill tho II i;.-h Comini&sionership or appoint Le ,i. lative Councillors th© Governor should assert his prerogative. AFTZR THE MAORI ELECTION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 19. Speaking to a "Post' representative to-day Sir Joseph Ward said he would not come to a Oeeision as to his future course of action until after the complete returns were in and the decision of the Maori election on Tuesday next. MR MILLAR'S OPINION. DI'NEDIN, Dec. 15. Hon. J. A. Millar, interviewed this morning, said that as tilings appear at present there appeared to be little chance of any party having a decent working majority. It was, however, impossible to come to a definite conclusion on the figures at present. THE SECOND BALLOTB. kaTpara. PKB t'N'ITKO IMM-SS ASSOCIATION. DARGAVILLE, Dec. 15. Following are the official figures:— G'oates, 2721 ; Stallworthy, 2151. Absent votes to come, 24. WAIRAI". i BLENHEIM, Dec. 15. The final figures for Wairau are; Duncan 3058, McCallum 3220. There aro 42 absent votes to come. HON T. Y. DUNCAN. OA MAR V, Dec. 15. Steps are being taken to tangibly reco«rni*n Hon. T. Y. Duncan's long and valuable services in the cause of Liberalism in New Zealand. His friends in the Oaniaru constituency feel that he should not be allowed to pass out of public life without something being done to suitably recognise so extended a period of faithful parliamentary effort in their interests. LABOR'S VOICE. Speaking at Auckland the other day, the president of the locil branch of the Labor Party, Mr G. Ingram, sai<> that the chief offending of tho Government was that it had wholly neglected what was one of the main objectives of the Labor Party. "Our chief concern," he said, ' is that the cost of living has increased much more than the standard of wages, and that the standard of wages must be made to correspond with the cost of living. The Government has done nothing at all to touch that question, and in a case like that no one could expect svmpathy lietwepii the two partie*. We realise that Mr Massey and) his party will not do much for us," he continued, "but we also realise that it is better to put into power a. party that we know will no help us than one which professes i lnt it will do so but cannot be trusted t:i carry out what it professes. It is not good, in my opinion, for any parv to remain in power for 20 odd years." idded Mr Ingram. "If it does it liwinies autocratic; it does not develop with the growth of popular ideas, and get out of touch with the people, so that by the by it forgets what it is for. Thus it becomes a menace to society instead of tho leader of social reform. Taking all these points into consideration, the workers will be justified in voting against the Lilieral Party. By thia means they will help to bring about a change in the administration of the | country and will have the pros|iect of building up in the near future h united movement of the people, by the people, for tlie people."