AFTER THE DIVISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14929, 29 February 1912, Page 8

AFTER THE DIVISION.

THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

CABINET MAKERS AT WORK.

SIR J. WARD'S RESIGNATION.

EXPECTED AT AN EARLY DATE.

SESSION MAY CLOSE TO-DAY.

[BT telegraph—special COB.RESPONT>EXT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The result of last night's division on the no-confidence motion does not clear the political atmosphere to any extent, and the general opinion seems to be that Mr. Massey is still on the box seat. As a matter of fact prominent Oppositionists express themselves as really bettor pleased at the result of the division than if they had secured a small majority, and had been dependent upon the votes of pledgebreakers.

It is now almost certain that a majority of members will bo prepared to vote with, the Reform party when the House meets for the transaction of business. The resignation of Sir Joseph Ward will release from their pledges several men who supported the old Government, and who will be disinclined to support the new. More than one of these members have already indicated that they are quite prepared to give the Reform party a trial for one Parliament. Even if the Reform party were unable to secure a majority nothing could prevent a dissolution, seeing that it was quite impossible to get together from the remains of the Liberal party a Government strong enough to carry on. The division showed that the Opposition to the Ward Ministry consisted of 58 straight-out members of the Reform party and one Labour man. The Government, on the other hand, could muster only 32 straight-out Government supporters, and had to get assistance from four Independents and three Labour men. There are not many members anxious to face their constituents again, but it may not be possible to secure a working majority and stability of government by any other means than a dissolution. To-day one of the most interesting topics of conversation is whether" Sir Joseph Ward will resign immediately, or endeavour to hang on to office for another four months. The general opinion is that he will keep to his pledge, and hand in his resignation at an early date. It is generally admitted that if Sir Joseph Ward cannot hold the parly together, it will be impossible for anyone eke to do so, and there is a very strong feeling that the new Ministry • should take,, office prior to the prorogation of Parliament. It is apparently the intention of the Government to bring the present session to a close to-morrow, unless a debate on the report of the Privilege Committee necessitates further sitting on Friday. A "Liberal" Forecast. Some interesting views on the political situation were expressed by a prominent member of the LiDeral party in an interview this evening. He stated definitely that the question of reconstruction had" not yet been lormally considered by the party, but he anticipated that some aspects of that matter would be submitted to it before members departed for their homes. No official notification hod yet been given of a caucus, but it was probable that one would be held to-morrow. The qualifications of various members for the leadership of the party had, said the member, been discussed among groups of members, but so far as he could ascertain there was no general agreement upon the selection of any one of them. There was no doubt in his own mind that Sir | Joseph Ward would retire from the posi- ! tion of Prime Minister, for whatever diffiI culties might be experienced in choosing a successor who would be acceptable to the party, it was impossible for Sir Joseph Ward to withdraw from the attitude he had adopted, and such speeches as that of Mr. Robertson would prove a sufficient obstacle to allowing him to retain the leadership of the party. He did not anticipate that Sir Joseph Ward would retire into the rank and file of the party. It was more probable that he would accept a seat in the Cabinet in an honorary position, retaining possibly tlje portfolio of Post-master-General. A theoretical examination of the qualities of members who had been suggested as likely to succeed to the leadership of the Liberal party was not, continued the member, likely to be very satisfactory. No one could say what a man would achieve in the position until he had been tried. For instance, Mr. Seddon's elevation to the Cabinet was ridiculed at the time, and anyone who had ventured to predict that he would prove the greatest Prime Minister in the history of New Zealand would have been classed as a madman. I The reconstruction of the Minis-try would, he believed, be an extensive one," though he had no authoritative information as to which of the Ministers would bo replaced. Any arrangement in regard to leadership that was made must be a tentative one, and the new Administration would, he assumed, devote the recess to the task of putting its house in order in readiness to imeet Parliament in June. It would be for the new leader to consolidate the Liberal forces in readiness for the attack that was certain to be made upon them when the House assembled for the ordinary session His own opinion was that no' announcement regarding reconstruction proposals would be made before the end of the present session. The personnel of the new Administration would be announced within a few weeks certainly he thought, before the end of the financial year. » was very probable that during the recess a campaign throughout the country would be undertaken. Possibly that would bo earned out by the new "Ministry so that it, members.would have an opportunity of acquainting themselves withall parts of the Dominion, and of presenting themselves to the people. l*nung New Policy Distasteful. Another member of !»e Liberal party expressed the opinion this evening that Sir Joseph Ward; should not endeavour to carry on the business of the country after having given a promise to resign He added that his resignation should be sent "™ ft a week, °?£ fortnight He admitted that the Liberal party 'was in an extremely difficult position, and that many of them, especially the country members did not Ike the policy enunciated in the Speech from the Throne. They had he said, gone to the country on the 'lust Budget, and not on the new, and found policy put into the mouths of the King's representative. b Prospective Ministers. Members are ready with offers of assistance in the task of selecting the members of the new Administration. Many names are being freely mentioned, and the matter provides a fertile subject for lobby gossip. The inclusion of Mr. A. M Myers (Auckland East) in the ' new Cabinet is generally regarded as assured A suggestion was made by a prominent member of the Liberal party that the new Administration will afford adequate Ministerial representation to the Auckland province. His opinion was that the political pendulum has swung northwards, and that when a, new Government is formed, at least two members from Auckland electorates will be included. Portfolios may, it is considered, be offered to Mr. Myers, and to either Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands) or Mr. W. D. S, M'acdonald (Bay of Plenty). Canterbury members draw attention to the fact that the province has returned more Ministerialists than any other, and they maintain that j i Jdx, 3211 and Mr. LaurensoiL shojold have [ 1

seat* in any Liberal Ministry that is formed. Otago would fare rather badly, and would probably have to fall back upon Mr. Sidey, who has worked hard, and voted solid for the party for many years. There will be general surprise if Mr. Millar retains a portfolio, and his name is scarcely ever mentioned in a forecast of the new Ministry. Mr. Hanan will probably receive a portfolio, but his claims to the Leadership are not likely to bo acknowledged. Reform Party Solid and Loyal. Attempts have been made to discredit the Reform party in the opinion of the public by the circulation of the rumours of disintegration and disloyalty. There is substantial evidence of the solidarity of its forces, and of the unqualified allegiance of its members to Mr. Massey. The views of the party were expressed this evening by a group of Oppositionists who aro intimately acquainted with the opinions of all the members of the party. They ridiculed the suggestion that the tactics of their leader had been questioned in any way, and in support of this statement described the heartiness with which the members of the party had met Mr. Massey at the conclusion of the debate on the previous evening. The greatest goodwill was displayed towards him, and the toast of his health was honoured with expressions of appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him to the party, accompanied by testimonies of the unanimous desire of the party that Mr. Massey should long be spared to guide its destinies. A caucus of the party was hold this evening, and attended by all but two members, who had been called away from Wellington on private business. The meeting was marked by unabated confidence and by a feeling that the defeat of the party was only temporary. ; It is evident from the character of the : party meetings that have been held since the general election that never before in \ its history has the Opposition been more solid or loyal than it is at the present ] time. A rumour has been industriously circulated to-day that two members of the party propose to transfer their support to the Liberal party. There is not a shadow of foundation for the" statement.

Mr. Veitch's Attitude.

The attention of Mr. Yeitch was called to-day to a statement that he and the other Labour members would in future vote with the Government party. He said: "I am not pledged to either of the two great parties in the House. My influence will bo used in the direction of "supporting tho great, reforms that the Labour party stand for." Mr. Veitch indicated that he could not say anything more definite in the present uncertain state of affairs. It is ■understood that the Labour members will endeavour to act together.

PEEVIOUS CLOSE DIVISIONS.

The retention of office by the Ward Government by the narrow margin of the Speaker's casting vote recalls some exciting divisions that took place in the early history of New Zealand politics. Changes of government were very frequent half a century ago. Fifty years ago (at the beginning* of 1862) the" second Fox Government was in office, it having been formed in July, 1861, after the defeat of the first Stafford Administration l v a majority of one on a want of confidence motion. In 1856 the first Fox Ministry (which held office for only eight days) was also defeated on a want of confidence motion by a majority of one. Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Fox's second Ministry met its death in July, 1862, by an even closer division, its fate being decided on the casting vote of the Speaker (Sir David Munro). Mr. Fox had moved a resolution connected with the administration, of native lands, and this not being acceptable to half the House Mr. Curtis moved the "previous question," which is a constitutional form of strangling a distasteful motion without actually negativing it. The voting was 22 on each side, and the Speaker gave his casting vote in favour of the opponents of the Government, thus killing the motion. The Government resigned, and a new Ministry was formed under the Premiership of Mr. Alfred Domett. A close parallel to . the division which has just taken place on Mr. Massev's no-confidence amendment took place on October 12, 1865, a resolution adverse to the policy of the Weld Government was moved by Mr. (afterwards Sir Julius) Vogel, and it- was defeated only by the casting vote of the j Speaker (Sir David Munro). The motion j was as follows: —" That in the distribution of the provincial revenue the stamp 1 ! duties be placed on the same footing as the ! Customs duties." Mr. Weld at once placed the resignation of himself and his colleagues in the hands of the Government, stating that he did not consider that the Ministry was commanding a sufficient measure of support to enable it to carry on the business of the country successfully. "The Stafford party then came into power again, and held office for four years. ASKED TO BESIGN. MESSRS. PAYNE AND ROBERTSON. The Auckland branch of the Labour party unanimously passed a resolution, last evening, " Congratulating Mr. Veitch M.P., on his political honesty and integrity, and— not committing itself to the wisdom or otherwise of the pledges —condemning the actions of two 'socalled _ Labour politicians ' in breaking faith with their constituents." The resolution also declared that the Labour party j was not in any way connected with the regrettable occurrence, and expressed the opinion of tho branches that the two politicians referred to ought to resign and meet their constituents again.

HOW ONE MINISTRY WENT OUT.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S DESIGNATION

NOW IS THE TIME.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN COBBESPONDENT.] CiraisTCHCRCH, Wednesday. Discussing the political situation, the Lhristchurch Press eays :— There must bo no adjournment or prorogation of Parliament to give tho Prime Minister time- for further intrigues, perhaps with the object of creating fresh complications, in which he may try to seek release from the pledge ho lias given. Let him fulfil that trust at once, so that His Excellency may take steps to secure responsible advisers who will carry on the government of the country in a constitutional fashion. To allow Parliament to separate, leaving the Administration in the hands of the Prime Minister, who holds the'position on the casting vote of the Speaker, and in consideration of a pledge which he has given to resign, would be to leave the country without any Government at all in any sane sense of the word. To allow the administration of public affaire to remain in the hands of such a simulacrum of a Government would be a public scandal, which would make New Zealand the laughing stock of the world, and at all costs it must be prevented." AN UNKNOWN GOVERNMENT. [BT TELEGRAPH.OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington'. Wednesday. The Post to-night says:—"Sir Joseph Ward must stick to his pledge to resign. It will b<» not as the leaaer but as a follower of a reconstructed Government that he must meet the House. When will that be ? In the ordinary course after yesterday's division the" House would have been adjourned or prorogued till June, but seeing that the House has declared against the Government as at present constituted, and has only by the casting vote of the Speaker decided to commit the task of forming a new Government to the party now in power, it does not seem to us that the ordinary rule should be followed. We see no reason why a Government, of which the House knows nothing, exesspt that it is not to include Sir Joseph Wo<d, should after yesterday's ■ ambiguous verdict be given full charge of iho administration, without even facing I ths-HouseV' * °J;