THE PARLIAMENTARY SITUATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10957, 23 December 1911, Page 1

THE PARLIAMENTARY SITUATION.

SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL'S OPINION

(Pee Pkess Association.) Auckland, December 22. Sir William Russell is a passenger by the Mooltan, returning after an absence of 21 months. In an interview on the New Zealand political situation, he said: —"I am not always for-fighting under all circumstances, but I sincerely trust the Opposition will, not sacrifice any of its political convictions with the object of turning the Government out. of power. It is not that I am not in favor of legislation of a most liberal kind, but am always anxious that the men who have formed strong opinions and held to them, come weal, come**woe, for years, should not be' prepared to make a compromise which might be attributed to a desire for office." Continuing, he believed the men in the Opposition were quite capable of forming a Government which would give every satisfaction, whose sympathies were as much in accord with the ideals of the Liberal party as the present Government. Speaking as a man who had fought many elections, he though it very improbable the newly-elected Parliament would commit suicide if it possibly could be avoided. Probably some means would be devised by which a fresh election would be avoided. He was not likely to be a candidate at any future'election. ' SIR JOSEPH WARD. Wellington, December 22. An official announcement was issued yesterday that Parliament- is prorogued until January 10th. The Prime Minister, when asked if this indicated that Parliament would meet next month, or if he would make a statement regarding the Government's intentions, replied that he would not.be able to do so until after the Christmas holidays.