THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Mataura Ensign, 29 December 1911, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

A LIBERAL CAUCUS. PROCEEDINGS KEPT SECRET. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 28. The South Island members of ' the , Government party were summoned to Christehurch to attend a caucus which was held in Warner's Hotel this morning. There seemed to have been a fairly unanimous response to the invitation, as Government members from the West Coast and Southland were present. The caucus started about 10.30 a.m., when the following South Islanders were present: Sir Arthur Guinness (Grey), Mr John Colvin (Buller), Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), Mr G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), Mr T. H. Davey (Christchurch East), Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), Mr G. Lauronson (Lyttelton), Mr G. W. Russell (Avon), Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), Mr W. J. Dickie (Selwyn), Mr T. Buxton (Temuka), Mr James Craigie (Timaru), Mr J. C. Thomson (Wallace), Mr J. A Hanan (Invercargill), Mr T. K. Sidev (Dunedin South), Mr R. MeCallum (Wairau). The only South Island supporter of the Government party not present was Mr E. H. Clark, member for Chalmers. He telegraphed explaining that ho had received the wire inviting him to the caucus too late to enable him to be present. A very (.'OiiMCiiirable amount of in: portaiito was attached to ihe gathering, as tiie L ■-.>■, o.'ii:!,e:iu is in a majority in the. Sn;uh '::• • 1 -'' : :mv'< ki ;•, considerable minority in the North. The caucus concluded about noon. A reporter then interviewed tho Prime Minister, who said that he had no annouueemtn; to make. It was a private gathering and it was not his intention to make a statement as to what would be done. He was not ready to make that announcement. Several members who had been present at the caucus were seen by reporters, but t'hey had nothing of any importance to sa?. It was very evident that one and all had been asked to-aje-, gard the proceedings as secret. Speculation was rife as to the turn the discussion had taken; but there was no official report, and members were entirely non-committal. Tho southern ! members will probably leave for the South to-morrow. The West Coasters wall go on to Wellington. A message received this morning states that there will be a similar meeting of North Island Government members in Wellington to-morrow. AUCKLAND MEMBERS. AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. The Auckland members of the Ministerial party left for Wellington by to-| night's express, and it is understood that a caucus of Government members | will be held in the capital in the course of the next few days to consider thepolitical crisis.