THE LIBERAL PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17097, 31 August 1917, Page 3

THE LIBERAL PARTY

CONFIDENCE IN SIR JOSEPH WARD. PLEDGE OF LOYALTY. (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 30. A meeting of, tho Liberal party in tho House of. Representatives was held this morning. The official report states that all tho members in Wellington wero present, and those absent were accounted for. The party met for a general discussion of matters of interest affecting it as a whole, and the following motion was carried unanimously: '"That this meeting of the members of the Liberal party desires to pledge its continued ioyalty to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (its leader), and wishes to leave the settlement of all matters affecting the party to him." All the Liberal Ministers were present, and the question of filling the vacancy in the Cabinet and the position of tho party generally were fully discussed. The official report concludes by stating that Sir John Findlay was warmly welcomed as a member of tho party. Information gathered from other sources indicates that Sir Joseph Ward had something to say to a section of his party regarding the necessity for playing the game, and that he was asked for assurances as to tho future of the party. Thero aro supposed to bo about half a dozen candidates for the vacant portfolio, and it is not surprising that tho meeting did not undertake the .delicate task of making a selection. It was decided to place the responsibility for filling the vacancy on the shoulders of Sir Joseph Ward. It is practically certain that no selection will be made until after the close of the session. The meeting lasted for two and a-half hours.