THE PRIME MINISTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7978, 8 December 1911, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER

INTERVIEWED CONCERNING THE VOTING. COUNTRY MUST AWAIT SECOND BALLOTS. MAJORITY ANTICIPATED. PRESS ASSOCIATION. INVERCARGILL, December 7, In. an. interview to-night, Sir Joseph "Ward said that tho country must await the result of tho second ballots before coming’to a definite conclusion as to tho will of the people. ■‘Notwithstanding tho results recorded so far,” continued the Prime Minister, ,1 am firmly convinced that when the returns on tho second ballot are taken, tho verdict of the people will be in favour of the Liberal party continuing to guide. tho destinies of this country.

"I have no hesitation in saying that our party _ has had to contend against most unfair and unscrupulous tactics. Every device has been resorted to with, tho object of discrediting the Liberal party, and it is gratifying to find that notwithstanding this, tho results ars such as to inspire one with tho belief that tho outcome of tho second, ballots will be to give a solid working majority to the Government, X regret that a few old friends of the party have not been successful in tho fight, particularly those who have so long and so ably assisted in the past to place on the statute-book progressive measure foi the beufit of the people, but I am not in the slightest dispirited, because I place my confident expectations on the dominant common-sense and the progressive sentiments of tho . people of this country, and X look forward with confidence to’these views being confirmed when the members of onr party who are in the second ballots appeal to the judgment of the electors next Thursday. They include some of the strongest, ablest, and most progressive men 1 of the Liberal party, and I therefore entertain no doubt that tho liberal-minded and progressive people in the electorates whore second ballots take place will stand loyally by them. It will he recognised that our candidates who are now in the second ballots have had to contest their elections against two opposing forces with nothing in common, yet distinct in aims and policy. AVhero the majorities recorded by the two or more against them, if in some oases substantial and spread amongst those in - favour'of the Liberal Ky, whatever differences may _ existsen the two progressive parties in this country, in their common interest it will, I believe, be found that they will unite and solidly support tho candidate of the Liberal party."