The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 21, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1021, 21 March 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 21, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

At the last meeetiug of the Borough Council, Mr Geo. H. Stiles, the present Mayor, stated that owing to health and business reasons he had decided not to offer his services as Mayor for a further term. A number of prominent citizens, recognising the good work done by Mayor Stiles during the time he has held the position, were of opinion that it would not be in the best interests of the borough at the present time to lose the services of Mr Stiles, and by petition asked him to reconsider the matter. Mr Stiles asked to be given a few days In which to consider the request, and elsewhere in this issue announces that his services will be placed at the disposal of the burgesses for another term. It is unnecessary for us to recapitulate what we have previously said in reference to Mr Stiles' fitness for the office and the progress made by the borough during his term as Mayor. It is true Mr Stiles has been elected without opposition on each occasion, and we take this as an evidence of the confidence reposed in him by the ratepayers. That he is prepared to sacrifice his health and business tor the sake of the borough is a high standard of citizenship, and we wish him a successful year of office.

Wk are in receipt of a strongly worded letter from “a Foxton elector,” who, after referring to Mr Payne’s meetings in Grey Lynn, asks when Mr Robertson intends to face the electors of this constituency, and explain away his broken 'pledges. We think the Otaki electors are content to let Mr Robertson go his way without any platform explanations in justification of his broken pledges. We have no desire to see a repitition of the Grey Lynn performances throughout the centres of this electorate. Otaki will deal with Mr Robertson in the fullness of time, and at the ballot box.

The Liberal caucus will meet today at the Premier’s residence in Wellington, for the purpose of electing a successor to Sir Joseph Ward and also to reconstruct the Ministry. The four Labour members will be in attendance and will no doubt exercise au important bearing on the proceedings. Certain sections of Labour are against any of the four members accepting a portfolio —if it is suggested that one should come their way—for the reason that Labour can be better served by standing aloof. If, however, Labour is so placated it will create a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction among a number of the old Liberals, who would prefer to see a position such as Minister for Labour, filled by Mr Laurenson, who enjoys the fullest confidence of the Labour four. A good deal of speculation has been rife ?s to who will succeed Sir Joseph Ward as leader, and the general opinion is that the mantle will fall either on Sir Arthur Guinness or the Hon. Mr McKenzie. The latter gentleman has been a good deal in the limelight since the general election and be appears to have grown in popular favour with the Party of late. The only other name mentioned is that of the Hon. Jas. Millar, the reputed strong man of the Ministry. The present method of selecting a Cabinet is unique and is evideuce that the days of autocracy is at an end. The result of the caucus will be awaited with the greatest interest throughout the whole Dominion.

Tub Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has received communications from Liberal organisations throughout the Dominion expressing regret at his determination to resign from the leadership of the Party. This afternoon a deputation of Wellington Liberals will wait upon him and present him with the following resolution :—“That this deputation of Liberal supporters and friends of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister desire to express our regret upon hearing that you have decided to resign the position of Premier of the Dominion and leader of the Liberal party. We are in sympathy, with you in the circumstances under which you may consider it necessary to take that step. Looking back on the years that you have led Parliament, and the many important Liberal measures you have introduced and which are' now brought into law, we realise that they have not been in the interest of any one | class, but for all the Dominion. We are not unmindful of your good services as PostmasterGeneral, of which the Post and Telegraph Department bears record in its up-to-dateness, being second to no other part of the Kmpite. Indeed the whole of the legislation during your term ol office bears the mark of progress, as a result ot which the Dominion is now quoted by the world’s statesmen as oue ot the most progressive parts of the Kmpire. We regret your resignation, and would sincerely ask you to reconsider your decision, feeling assured that the majority are with you, and that you retain the confidence of the people, and finally we wish to impress this fact upon Liberal and Labour members in Parliament.’’ While the above will be fully appreciated by Sir Joseph, it will not influence him in altering his decision to stand down.