POLITICAL SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14940, 13 March 1912, Page 8

POLITICAL SITUATION.

ELECTING A PRIME MINISTER.

LABOUR MEMBERS' ATTITUDE.

BY TELEGRAPH.-- CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. Mil. A. H. Hinbmarsh, member tor Wellington South, stated, on being questioned to-day, that lie had not been invited to attend the Government caucus on March 21, but that he had received an official intimation that it would be held.

It was understood, Mr. Hindmarsh remarked, that the Labour members would not take part in the proceedings in the ordinary way. He assumed that they would lake no part in the ballot for the election of a new Prime Minister. A

Labour caucus would be held simultaneously with the "Liberal" gathering, and the.two parties would confer as occasion might arise. The four Labour men had determined to vote as a party, but beyond that would act, he thought, as circumstances might direct. They were simply waiting to see what the " Liberals " would do. As to his personal attitude, Mr. Hindmarsh stated that ho intended to support the party in power, provided that it gave some satisfactory proof at an early date after the next assembling of Parliament that the programme announced in the Governor's Speech was not mere waste paper, and that an attempt would be made as far ae possible to carry it out. SIB JOSEPH WARD'S SERVICES. . WESTLAND APPRECIATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Hokitika, Tuesday. A public meeting of the supporters of the Liberal party was held in the Town Hall to-night. The weather was not favourable, but there were about 100 people present. The Mayor of Hokitika presided. Among the speakers were the Mayors of Ross and Kumara. Very appreciative references were made to the services rendered to the Dominion by Sir J. Ward and the Liberal party. The following resolutions were carried unanimously:—(l) "That this large and representative meeting of the Liberals of the "Westland electorate begs to tender to the Right Hon. Sir J. Ward its. appreciation of the right lion, gentleman as the distinguished leader of the party, and congratulates him on the many valuable services to the Dominion standing to his credit, and specially on the Liberal and progressive measures enacted by his Government; but more particularly it is desired at this moment to specially congratulate Sir J. Ward on the success a.nd tact with which ho carried through the recent brief session of Parliament to the

advantage of the Liberal party, which he has throughout led with such marked ability." (2) "That this meeting of the Westland League learns with great regret that the Right Hon. Sir J; Ward has decided to voluntarily retire from the leadership of the Liberal party in Parliament, and while expressing satisfaction at his intention to continue to assist the party feels compelled to give voice to the general wish prevailing in this district that the right hon. gentleman should bo asked to reconsider his decision of retiring from the leadership, and expresses the hop© that in tho readjustments of portfolios, about to be undertaken, weight will be given to this wish." (3) "That an invitation be extended to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward to visit WesUand at some convenient date after this month, and be the joint guests at a social, to be held about that time, in honour of the reelection of Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon to Parliament as the Liberal-member, for Westland." (4) "That the residents of Hokifika present be a general committee to further the success of the social proposed, and that a meeting bo held at the County Chambers this night week, to appoint a sub-committee and make all arrangements necessary for the function." The proceedings lasted about an hour.

RECONSTRUCTING THE CABINET. THE INTERESTS OF LABOUR. [BT TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] DtWEDix. Tuesday. The Otago Labour Representation Council resolved that it would be against the best interests of Labour if any of the Labour members of Parliament accepted any position in any Cabinet not wholly composed of Labour members.