THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 57, 2 March 1912, Page 5

THE POLITI CAL ARENA.

A TRIBT jTE FROM MBERALS TO *SIR JOSEPH WARD. ** LAUDATORY 'RESOLUTION CP&p Press Association.) Wellihfeton> March 1. At a meeting, of thei Liberal, labour, and Independent Parties, following motion 'Was carried:— ;j "That this meeting, desires to tender Sir Joseph Ward it* assurance of its hearty appreciation of hif distinguished and valuable services > ;as Leader of the Liberal Party, and congratulates him on the many liberal and progressive measures introduced 'by him. and passed by the Government, which have proved of great benefit to -the people "of this' Dominion. •' , .: ■ ... ..,■'■> '.. ~ "Those assembled 'also desire .to congratulate Sir Joseph W&rd on the fact that the no-cdhfidence motion recently moved by the Opposition was defeated, and now that the right hon. gentleman is voluntarily retiring frdm the leadership they wish to express their great satisfaction at his intention to continue to assist the Liberal and progressive forces of the Dominion in the common fight against,the Opposition or the Conservative Party. They are persuaded' that the name of Sir Joseph Ward will be recorded in history as one of the statesmen and ablest administrators in the Australasian colonies." !, The motion, which "was! moved by Mr J. Cblvin and seconded by Dr. Te Rangihirda; was' to by Messrs. Robertson, Veftch 1 , T. W. Rhodes,' Forbes, ; C6ateis,}*Hindmarsh, Payne, McCallum, G. W. Russell, Pa- v •'' rata and Atmore, by whom it was cor"The* gatheYiKg" "bf oke cHeer's for. Sir Joseph ,and. Lady Ward. ■■> 'ls ifi ; : iTep|n|e9 fthit every one of the forty members who voted against the Amendment of the Opposition in the House last night was either present or accounted for, and that the gathei-ing was most enthusiastic. PROROGATION GAZETTED. '' ", r .'£- : '■' >.,. W^H^s^ff-jM 6l ' ■'■■■ ,•- A' Government toVday- notifies /that has been }i>rdf6gu'ed' untili u Mari»!^»th. : '. WHO WILL BE PREMIER? :.. The Hon. cT. Mackfeiiai© is freely spoken of \as\,.ihe.'v.''\Cpiil.|lig leader, though it is stated that are-obr ' jections to his freehold "•■ leanings, but that real! ycommends hirn to many j others, telegraphs the Wellington correspondent of the Argus." What not appear :to : have been considered yet is whether Mr Matekenziie would accept; the. position of Minister. He is. certainly not "after it," for he fully: recognises the difficulties that now' assail the * position. The Opposition professes to be confident that whatever Ministry be formed it cannot last long, and that soon there must :be another election. Against this, the Ministerialists say the recent debate exposed numerous misrepresentations made by the Opposition during the election campaign, and the eyes; of electors, have been opened and that.a» vigorous platform campaign by the liberal Party would assure them sound majority at the next election, whenever it came.