THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 33

THE GENERAL ELECTION

FEELING IN ANCKLAND.

OFFICIAL RESULTS. THE MAORI ELECTIONS. MR KAIHAU DEFEATED. The following offioial results of the second ballots are announced: DUNEDIN WEST. The official count of the voting at tho second ballot on tho 14th inst, for Dunedin West was completed on tho 19th. Mr R. P. Ward, returning officer, announced that the final count was:—Hon. J. A. Millar, 4461. Mr H. D. Bedford, 3822.; informal, 19. Majority for Mr Millar, 639. There were included 150 votes on permits, 90 being for Mr Millar and 60 for Mr Bedford. DUNEDIN NORTH. The official count shows the following result:—G. M. Thomson, 4181; R. R. Douglas, 3423; informal, 13. Mr Thomson received 81 of the absent voters' votes and Mr Douglas 13. GREY LYNN. AUCKLAND, December 19. The final returns for Grey Lynn are a«follow: — Payne ... ... 3470 Fowlds 3432 Majority for Payne, 38. OTAKI. WELLINGTON, December 19. Tho foUowing is the result of the recount for Otaki: Robertson 2517 Field 2496 THE MAORI SEATS. AUCKLAND, December 19. The Western Maori election resulted as follows: Dr Pomare (I) 2202 ■ Henare Kaihau (M) .: 1607 Pepene Ekatone 1332 Ngarangi Katitia 466 Tarapiti Taingakawa 230 Pomare Hetaraka 3 The returns are practically complete. " CHRISTCHURCH, December 19. The following are the complete returns of the Southern Maori ©lection: Parata (M) ... 264 Uru 233 Watson 130 Erihana ... 84 Apes 30 Patete 18 THE POLITICAL SITUATION. SUMMER SESSION PROBABLE. CFbom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 19. - The present indications are that Sir Joseph Ward will call Parliament together in January or February. Ministers are at present getting through arrears of work that have accumulated during the election, and probably most of them .will leave Wellington for the Christmas' holidays. The summer session would in all probability not last more than a fortnight. The defeat of the Government on a no-confidence motion seems quite certain, the more so now that the Auckland Labourites have passed a resolution congratulating Mr Miassey on the victory of the Reform party. There is verylittle material left for the reconstruction of the Liberal Cabinet. The test of strength of the two parties will no doubt come soon after the election of the Speaker, and no doubt Sir Arthur Guinness will be reelected. Sir Joseph Ward's final pronouncement is being awaited with considerable interest, though the chances are that it cannot affect the ultimate result. PRESENT POLITICAL POSITION. THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. IFrom Odk Own Cobrespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH. December 18. Mr F. M-. B. Fisher, M.P., who is at present on a visit to Christchurch, said to-day when asked regarding the political situation: "In my opinion if Sir Jcsiph Ward acted as he ought to act his resignation would be in the hands of the Governor before the end of this week. In which case Mir Massey would be sent for by the Governor, would form an Administration, call Parliament together in January, and would no doubt be at once tested by a no-confidence motion, moved by the new Leader of the Opposition. That, I think, would be the proper course to take. The probability, however, that the inordinate love of office of the Prime Minister and his colleagues will- induce them to hold on until the last possible moment. In this contingency it is practically certain that Parliament will meet in January, that a no-confidence motion will be immediately tabled, and, as a result, Sir Joseph Ward will be defeated. The House will adjourn for a week. Mr Massey will be sent for, will form a new Cabinet, will meet Parliament, a no-confidence motion will be moved by the new Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward), and then the real interest will arrive, because whilst the attitude of the four Independents and the four Labour members towards Sir Joseph Ward as Prime Minister is known, their attitude _to Mr Massey as Prime Minister is unknown. If thev agree to give Mr Massey reasonable support he will be able to carry on through the Parliament with much greater ease than the Labour Government 13 carrying on at present in New South Wales. If, ©n th© other hand, the Labour members and the Independents decide to do everything they can to embarrass the position of the Prime Minister, then it is doubtful whether Mr Massey will be'able to carry on efficiently. Under those conditions, in such an event, Mr Massey would probably ask Parliament to repeal the Second Ballot Act and give the country a proportional representation bill. I think that he would probably attempt to pass a bill abolishing or reforming the Legislative Council, and, personally, I hope that he would lay down as a d finite pknk of his platfcrm the doctrine of the State as a model _ employer, and show that it was the intention of the Government to ©top the present system of underpaid State employees. With these reforms attempted (and they are reforms upon which the House would have no difficulty in agreeing to) Mr Massey might be easily justified' ift asking for a dissolution and goino- to the country for the return of a greater majority to support him."

CFbom Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 17. Public feeling is still greatly excited here over tho result of the general election, and the political situation is almost tho sole topic of conversation. By general consent the dignified tone of Mr Massey's letter to the electors is a bright and shining contrast to the bitter vituperation indulged in by the Prime Minister and h:s defeated followers. Indeed, the bad grace with which tho verdict of the people has been taken by the Wardites is looked upon in Auckland as tho worst feature of their political career. % Soured by his beating in Grey Lynn, Mr Fowlds said those who did not vote for him were suffering from mental aberration. His successful opponent has been quick to resent the insult, and has called upon the disappointed "New Evangelist" to apologiso for his slur, which, he says, amounts to calling his (Mr Payne's) supporters imbeciles. Sir Joseph's Ward's nice, mild way of accepting defeat is also exampled in a telegram published in th© Star on Saturday purporting to have come from the Prime Minister to a citizen, and the wording of which is:—"Many thanks for your telegram. I hope none of. my friends will believe the lying statements of the Dominion regarding Wellington last night, for what they state is quite contrary to fact.—J. G. Ward " As for Sir John Findlay. the Star devotes nearly three columns to a fulsome account of all his r'opinings and of his i'arewell gatherings prior to departing for Wellington on Friday night. Sir John's friends to the number of several hundreds gave him a great send-off and a present of a silver cigarette case and a gold-mounted fountain pen. In return Sir John favoured them with many words of wisdom. Some of his farewell remarks make good reading- Like Mr Fowlds, he had a cheap sneer for those who voted against him. He said that although he was beaten and although 4000 odd people in Parnell had declared tihey did not want him, yet he felt a much greater pride in believing that the 3000 odd who did want him were the best people in Parnell. Sir John also stubbornly refused to recognise the worth of the party to which Wardiam owes its downfall. With fine sarcasm he remarked : " Either the great Conservative partv is going to be dragged at the heels of what I may call the almost revolutionary Social party, or it in turn must, drag that party to 'its heels. But I contend that you cannot get any logical, consistent policy from any party which has to live by leave and consent of another party diametrically opposed to it. I will concede to you that'the present Liberal Government would find itself in the same plight were it to attempt to carry on for any length of time a consecutive logical policy. What, then, is to happen? Obviously, if that last refuge of the Opportunitist is not resorted to, and some amalgamation take place, which God forbid, there must be again a reference to the country. Now, a reference to the country shorn' of a great many of the bitternesses of the last contest will' never result in the return of a combination of men whose clear and avowed purpose is to put their hand on the clock of progress and stop its advance." During his address to his coterie of admirers before leaving them Sir John Findlay had' a tilt at his newspaper critics. He said 1 : "I am now told in the Dominion newspaper that I am a good riddance to Parnell, and this district is congratulated upon ' having rejected me, because, forsooth, I am the most dangerous man in the-Cabinet. I am dangerous because of the policy I have been trying to submit to the audiences of Parnell. I am dangerous as I stand opposed to' land and all other monopolies. They say the devil steals the livery of heaven for hia purpose, and' a great many of the journalistic tories of this country have been stealing the garb of Liberalism for their own purpose. So I am dangerous. Yes, it is true, and now that I have my freedom and am no longer under obligation to tho Cabinet I promise my opponents that I shall grow not less dangerous, but more dangerous." This fearful threat dulv exploded by the moirtifiod knight, he touched upon a personal matter: "I left a lucrative practioe at the bar five years ago," he declared, " in order to devote myself entirely in the public service of my country, and since coming to Auckland I have been accused of m.ai!cing desperate efforts to secure a fat billet. Well, this fat billet I am entitled to means less than probably three-fourths of the lawyers of New Zealand are earning to-day. A memo, sent to me tho other cay by my accountant shows that my loss in those five years has been £15,400. That is my reply to thoce who talk about the- fat billet." After stating that his first thought now would have to be devoted to his impaired fortunes, he said that he yet hoped to see the day when he might again enter the fight. MR MASSEY HONOURED. Congratulatory telegrams have been received by Mr Massey from all £arts of the Dominion. The first day's collection numbered many hundreds, and their cumulative effect was a splendid testimony of the delight which the result of the elections • has created in the Dominion. Several cablegrams have also reached Mr Massey. The majority of the people were so eager to transmit their congratulations that they contented themselves with brief messages, but a number of the telegrams wore elaborate. Several people selected Scriptural passages. "Awake! Awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord," ran one message. " Awake as in the ancient days in the generations of old. Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab and wounded the dragon? Break forth unto joy, sing together, y© waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord hath comforted his people; He hath redeemed Jerusalem." A Christchurch telegram read: " For our sentiments see St. Matthew, chapter xxv, verse 21 " The reference is to the passage " Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou intg the joy of the Lord." Other telegrams typical of the public feeling were as follow:—"Well done; we are all proud of you and of the success of th© party. It is a great and welldeserved victory achieved by ability, steadfastness, and earnestness of purpose, and by noble and patriotic advocacy and action. May the reform flag long lemain in the ascendant, and thus enable you to accomplish such reforms as will advance the highest _ interests of our country and the prosperity and happiness of its people." " Heartiest congratulations on the country's splendid victory. You deserve it alb. for the great battle you have determinedly fought against overwhelming odds i.as only been

( won bv determination and genuine British pluck. "Hearty congratulations to £>elf I and party. A glorious victory,. We want 1 true Liberalism, progressive legislation, honest administration, and a leader with courage and backbone. Plain Bill always was a good fencer, and at weight-for-age beats Ward every time." " Pa±ea_ reformers congratulate you most heartily on the reward so well and faithfully earned. May you be spared many years to carry on the glorious work of reform." " Hearty congratulations. Waited 20 years for this. May now rely on having clean polities and justice.'' A Maori supporter telegraphed " God help you. Thank you for I your great work and power. Very glad." ! The Herald, discussing the political situation this morning makes an interesting point with regard to Labour. It says: It would be intolerable that a-ny Cabinet should maintain i tee If in New Zealand solely by the aid of the Maori members, and this after' an election which had unmistakably declared the dissatisfaction of the country with its administration. Mr Massey will bo well advised and will be fulfilling the wishes of his supporters if he establishes the precedent of assigning txie portfolio of Labour to a recognised and accredited leader of the Labour section. Such a man as Mr Veitch, of Wanganm. would bring to a Cabinet an intimate experience of the needs of his fellow workers, and would greatly assist a sympathetic Ministry to decide upon Cabinet action in the many matters which directly affect them. It is high time that a genuine attempt was made to establish industrial peace to alleviate the notorious grievances of Stat© employees, and to destroy the ridiculous superstition that the workers must fall into the arms of the Wards, the Millars, and the M'Kenzies, if they would hope for equitable and reasonable political consideration. In reply to this the Star says editorially: Happily Labour in this country is not onlv politically influential, but discriminating, and although it is impossible to predict'what attitude Labour members in the present Parliament will take up with reference to the Ward Government, it is practically certain that no permanent alliance can be formed between them and the Opposition party. The inclusion of a Labour member in any Massey Ministry is, therefore, extremely unlikely to take place, for the simple reason that any member who accepted such a portfolio would necessarily sever his connection with the Labour party. i THE REFORM MOVEMENT. j HOW THE PROVINCES WENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) i WELLINGTON, December 20. The Dominion prints the following interesting table to show the voting for and. against the Government went in the different " provincial districts.' The candidates returned for the European seats in the five areas were as follow : Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay ... 15 4 0 3 Auckland and Poverty Bay ' ... 11 6 2 1 Ota go and Southland ... 9 6 0 0 Canterbury and Marlborough ' '3 11 1 0 Westland and Nelson ... 0 4- 1 0 Totals ... ... ... 37 31 4,4 The Dominion says:—" The first tiling that strikes the ej'e here is the singular appositeness of the results in the two islands. Taking Cook Strait as a dividing line, w© find this result: — North Island.—Reform, 26, Wardites, 10; Independent, 2; Labour, 4. South Island.—Reform, 11; Wardites, 21; Independent, 2; Labour, nil. It is thus obvious that the Ward party, almost demoralised in -Wellington, Taranaki. and Hawke's Bay, and badly beaten in Auckland, Otago, and Southland, exists a.s the remains of a party to-day only. hy\ the grace of the two smallest of the areas—viz., Canterbury and Marlborough and Westland and Nelson. COMMENTS FROM LONDON. VIEWS OF THE TIMES. LONDON. December 20. The Times states that the New Zealand elections have resulted in chaos. It says "Sir Joseph Ward is the only man adaptable, enough to patch up a Ministry that can collect a majority behind it, and therefore it is straining language to talk of his defeat, although his position is unstable. LIBERALS AND THE BOYCOTT. (From Oub Own Correspondents.} WELLINGTON, December 21. The Otaki Mail prints the following paragraph : —" The .result of the second ballot has, we regret to say, caused considerable bitterness in various parts of the electorate, and especially so in Levin, where, if reports be true, supporters of the successful candidate are being boycotted by certain ardent supporters of the defeatedman. It is most regrettable that this intolerable spirit of narrow-mindedness and pettiness should be exhibited by anyone. All differences should bo sunk at the poll." i The editor of the Dominion has received various communications from leading residents in Levin and other towns in the Otaki elotorate confirming the truth of the reports referred to by the Mail. j MAORI ELECTIONS. WELLINGTON, December 21. The Western District figures show a majority for Dr Pomare of 407 over his next opponent, Mr Heniry Kaihau, tha late member. The Maori liquor voto in Wairoa (Dargaville) was: —Continuance, 250; Noliquor, 128. I SOCIAL TO MR SEDDON. j HOKITIKA, December 11. j At a largo and enthusiastic complimentary social tendered to Mr T. Seddon, M.P., at Kumaira on Tuesday night, the following resolution was moved by the Mayor of Kumara (Mr J. A. Muidoch) : i "That this large and representative gathering of citizens of Kumara and surrounding districts desire to extend to Sir Joseph ■ Ward their continued confldenoe in the Liberal Government. We trust that the Prime Minister will emerge triumphant from the present political crisis to continue in; the work of progressive and

humanitarian legislation commenced by the party 20 yeara aero." The resolution was seconded by the president of the Kumara Miners' Association (Mir W. H. Evenden), and carried unanimously, with ringing cheers for Sir Joseph, Lady Ward, and Mr Seddon. i LONDON TIMES DISCOUNTED. (From Our Own Correspondent WELLINGTON, December 21. The opinion of the London Times on the result of the New Zealand elections has been received with a good deal of astonishment here. A prominent member of the Reform party states that its estimate is very much out. He adds that 42 members will vote against Sir Joseph Ward on a want of confidence motion, and 37 for him. He is of opinion that the Opposition will then have a working majority of five. The Dominion, referring to the matter, says:—"The Times does not realise that it was only the quaint vote of Canterbury, which electorallly is just over one-sixth of the nation, that saved Sir J. G. Ward from a crushing defeat, and equally, of course, it knows nothing of the reform sentiment that has swept into tidal force in the past three months." ! MORE COMMENT FROM LONDON. LONDON, December 20. i Mr Labouohere's , Truth says that a change of Administration is'greatly needled in New Zealand. If it occurs, Truth hopes that the unfortunate Joshua Jones will be granted compensation for the monstrous injustice done him in the Mokau case', SIR J. G. WARD RETICENT. WELLINGTON, December 22. Sir J. 'G. Ward, when interviewed by a Post reporter with reference to the political position and the course that he intends to take in view of the results of the general election, said Parliament had been prorogued to-day until January 10, | and that he had no further statement to ■ make at present. He said he would be unable to make a statement until after the Christmas holidays. . PUNGENT CRITICISM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 22. The Prime Minister's much-defer red pronouncement has been made at last, "and amounts to nothing! The statement that Parliament has bean prorogued till January 10 does not necessarily mean that it will meet on that date. Indeed, it is very unlikely that it will meet, and no doubt a further prorogation will be duly notified in the Gazette. There is much disappointment j here that something definite has not been | said. Perhaps wo shall hear something i definite in the course o"f a few days. The i Post, referring to the present pronouncement, says:—"Sir Joseph Ward's keenlvawaited statement of the Government's lino of action in the present perplexing crisis 1 is cryptic. It is as ambiguous as some of , the utterances oT the ancient Delphian oracle. The Prime Minister, with a brevity I in strange contrast with the normal lengthi- ' ness of his political discourses, has declared . that Parliament has been prorogued! till IDth | January, and he has no further statement to make at present. Many" a time Sir | J. G. Ward, when criticised in the House of I Representatives, has been apt to take cover under a host of words, but to-day he has j reversed his tactics, and he hopes to make a holiday peace. with a single sentence. i Practically he invites the parties to observe ; an armistice till the Christmas season is j over, but we believe that the purposes of peace and goodwill would have been better served by a more definite revelation I of the Prime Ministerial mind. The people, j keyed up for words to relieve the present suspense, will be flatly disapoointed with ; Sir Joseph's indecision, and they may l>o j disposed to resent his evasion of a duty I which seemed plain enough to friends anil I foes of the Government and neutrals as well. | In the meantime, Sir Joseph has taken the | precaution to get a breathing space for himself, leisure for thought, an opportunity for planning; but we are compelled to express an opinion that ho gains this, personal and party advantage by evading his obligation to the public. He gave the people to understand that when the complete returns of the elections were before him he would make his intentions clear. The returns hove come, and Sir Joseph has uttered words which mean anything or nothing. The only excuse for the Leader of the Ministerial party is that lie has lately been much over-wrought, much disrbraught. On the grounds of political ethics the Prime Minister does not appear to have any excuse acceptable to the public." MR MASSEY'S ATTITUDE. AUCKLAND, December 22. Questioned as to his intentions to-day in regard to the political situation, the Leader of the Opposition said it was not ! for him to take any action. The next move | was Sir Joseph Ward's, and the country i was waiting to see what he would do. The I statement made by the Prime Minister that j Parliament had been prorogued till January I 10th contained no information at all as to | what Sir J. G. Ward proposed to do, added i Mr Massey. SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL'S VIEWS. AUCKLAND, December 22. Sir William Russell, a passenger by the . Mooltan, who is returning to the Dominion after an absence of 21 months, in an interview in regard to the political situI ation, said: —"I am not always for fighting under all circumstances, but I sini oerely trust the Opposition will not sacrii fico any of its political convictions with the object of turning the Government out of power. It is not that I am not in favour of legislation of a most liberal kind, but I am always anxious that men ! who have formed strong opinions and held to them, come weal, come woe, for years j should not bo prepared to make compromises which might be attributed to a desire for office."

Continuing-, Sir William said he believed the men i.n the Opposition were quite capable of forming a Government that would give every satisfaction, whose sympathies were as much in accord with the ideas of the Liberal party as those of the present Government. Speaking as a man who had fought many elections, he thought it very improbable that the newly-elected Parliament would commit suicide if it could possibly be avoided. Probably some means would be devised by which a fresh election might be avoided. It is not likely that he will be a candidate at any future election.

MR WILFORD HONOURED.

WELLINGTON, December 22. In proposing- tho toast of Mr Wilford'f health at a complimentary social last night Mr R. Fletcher said tho time was now approaching when further honours would bo heaped upon him. In replying, Mr Wilford said the worst part of his Public life came that day, when he had been informed by his medical advisers that he would be unable to take office if iit were offered to him. He had_ bona 18 years in getting- whore ho was politically, so it came hard. He believed, that in a few months ho would have wholly recovered. Ho had hesitated whether to resign or not, but before he went abroad ho would leave a signed nomination paper behind, and would leave himself in tha electors' hands. If he returned without goo* health h e would immediately resign. ATTITUDE OF LABOUR MEMBERS. STATEMENT BY MR PAYNE. NAPIER, December 22. Mr J Payne, tho newly-elected membe* for Grey Lvnn, arrived by the mail train this evening, and was met at the railway station by the representatives of Labour. He was heartily welcomed to Napier and congratulated on his victory over the Hon. G. Fowlds. . , Subsequently Mr Payne was interviewed, by a representative of the Havvke s Bay. Herald and made an interesting statement as' to tho attitude he thought the Labour members should take up. 'I was on my way to Napier from Auokland on Thura.' day," said Mr Payne, " and when at Mar* ton I received a telegram asking me to go. on to Wellington to attend a meeting ol the Labour representatives, and I did so. We held that meeting, but as only two of the elected Labour members were present -Mr Veitch (Wanganui) and myself—nq definito decision was arrived at. In addressing the meeting I pointed out that Labour held the balance of power, and t urged that we should be careful as to how. that power was used. I said it was highlydesirable that a change of Government. should be brought about, so as to free tha workers from the excessive taxation tha<( had resulted from the of the Ward Administration. I pointed out as plainly as I oould that it was in our ■power to do one of two things—to throw in our weight with the Massey party .on a no-confidence motion, and so bring about a change of Government, or to insist upon Sir Joseph Ward forming a new party with: the four Labour members on top. If Sir Joseph will reconstruct the Governrwc.t at a Labour Government, with the Labour members at the head, it will be all right; but if not, I suggested to the meeting, we should throw in our weight with the Massey party and defeat the present Government, on a no-confidence motipn. Personally, I'. am an Independent Labour representative, and have no connection with the Labour' party nroper. The so-called Labour partyis a comparatively small section of union--ists. Numbers of unionists are Federation of Labour men, but numbers of them de not belong either to tha Federation of Labour or to the Labour 'party. An attempt has been made to class the four Labour members as representatives of what '"s known as the Labour party, but as I have been elected by Federation of Labour men and other unionists not attached to the Labour party. T pointed out in unmistakable terms that I must remain an Independent Labour representative. We discussed the present situation, arid I strongly urged that the Labour members must act as one bodv. In' suggesting that we should support Sir Joseph Ward if he would form a Ministry with Labour mem- — bers at top or else vote for the Maasey party on a no-confidence motion, my idea was that we should get hold of the finance of the country in order to make a thorough investigation of it in the workers' ' interests." Is an early dissolution probable? asked the reporter. " With regard to the possibility of- a dissolution." replied Mr Payne; " I consider it merely a bogey raised by Sir Joseph Ward's supporters In order to intimidate some of the young members, who are naturally anxious to retain their seats. I consider an early dissolution not very probable owing to the fact that neither the Massey party nor th'e Ward party can foresee how they would come out if they went to tho country again. It is my belief that one of the two sides will carry on. even though with a small majority, the same as in New South Wales, where the Government is working with a majority of two." NORTHERN MAORI SEAT. AUCKLAND, December 22. The returning officer for th. Northern Maori electorate has received '" final results by telegram, as follows :

ATTITUDE OF LABOUR. NAPIER, December 25. As the result of an interview kindly given to a Hawke's Bay Herald reporter and telegraphed to all parts of the Dominion, Mr J. Payne, M.P. for Grey Lynn, has aroused the ire of a section of tho Labour -party. On Saturday he received th© following telegram from Auckland: "We most emphatically protest against your statement regarding the New Zealand Labour party. If you choose to play up to, the revolutionary Socialist handful, that is your affair, but we would point out in unmistakable terms that you must not try to do it at the expense of the Labour party. The ' so-called Labour party,' as you jeeringly term it, is the political party of organised Labour, and was formed by a Dominion Conference of the Trades Councils, and don't you run away with the revolutionary Soc|alist notion that the Labour party is going to let you or anyone elso walk over it. That game was tried in Parnell, but it didn't work, not even with the full support of all the federation crowd. Your statement to the Hawke's Bay Herald representative that you were elected by the federation men is incorrect. You were elected by the Reform party's rote, and we expect politioal honesty.—(Signed) Voice of Labour." To this telegram. Mr T. W. Payne, who happened to be one of tne company who own the Voice of Labour, sent the following rigorous reply:—"Just

received a most impertinent wire from yon consisting of a mixture of musty drivel and bhxfL Kindly keep that sort of communication for those you are likely to mislead If I have any more of it I shall challenge you. through the 'public press, to publish your Dominion roll call of the socalled Labour party, and then we shall see what we shall see.—(Signed) - Payne, the elected of the workers of Grey Lynn, and not the elected of the Reform party, as Stated by the spineless individual who hides his name behind the Voice of Labour nora de plume.” Mr Payne has now written to the otner three Labour members suggesting a meeting at the Grand- Hotel, Wellington, on January 2 to discuss the petition. In his letter he says:—“lt occurs to me that probably the Independent members would like to meet the four Labour members, and I am writing to those gentlemen suggesting that they meet us on the same evening in the same place after the Labour meeting, as it may materially influence you in deciding whether it is worth your while_ to meet me in Wellington. I will now give an outline of what my attitude would be at such meeting. I should suggest that we arrange to work together in the interests of Labour entirely without the interference of any person or persons or organisations outside the House; that ‘ working together ’ shall only mean conferring and discussing Labour matters for the general good, and in no way bind the free and independent action of any Labour member; that this individual freedom of action is absolutely necessary ie emphasised when we consider that Mr Yeitch is the only Labour party representative, that Mr Robertson is a Socialist member, that Mr Hindmarsh is a Labour member with party leanings in a certain direction, and that I myself am a Labour member without party predilections of any kind, the welfare of the workers being my only desideration. Next, I should urge, that we fully recognise and act upon the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the position of the four Labour members. That position embraces the following matter's:

j (1) That we can, as it were, present an ' ultimatum to the Prime Minister, requir- * ing him to abdicate in favour of a Labour Prime Minister and assist such Labour Prime Minister in the construction of a Labour Cabinet, taking in the other three Labour members. In this connection I ; would support any of the other three I Labour members being chosen as Prime | Minister, provided that the portfolios of I Finance, Education, Public Works, Health, I and Customs were allotted to “"Labour members. (2) If this ultimatum be not oomi plied with by the Prime Minister the only course open to us is to compel a full inquiry into the finances of the Dominion by voting the Ward Administration out by our support of a no-confidence motion j moved by Mr Massey.”

Votes. Te Rangiluroa ... ... 1032 Riapo Pohipi 627 Moetara 501 Wirinehua 455 To Pao. 413 Rapibana 295 Ihaka 291 Porowini 261 Kowhai 42 Notana 26 Tito 25