THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1912 THE PRIME MINISTER'S DECISION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13308, 9 January 1912, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1912 THE PRIME MINISTER'S DECISION.

Sjr Joseph ■ Ward has been privileged' to receive a vast quantity of interested and disinterested advjee, good, bad and indifferent, concerning the course he should pursue in view of tho indeterinjuaio verdict of the electors last month, The opponents of tho Government have shown ovary disposition to interpret the slightest delay in the Prime Minister's announcement as springing from tho most unworthy motives, and none at all to grant him a brief; respite to consider the situation and ascertain the feeling of his Party. This perhaps is not altogether unnatural. The Opposition's craving for office, whetted by more than a score of years in th© wilderness, is much too keen to be amenablo to ordinary restraints in such a situation as-now exists^. Apart from txeso considerations it is obviously far from desirable that the uncertainty and suspense should bo prolonged beyond the perirxl necessary to enables a proper estimate of the position t') be arrived at, and Sir Joseph's declaration of the intentions of the -Governinput has therefore been awaited witli general interest. He cannot be said to have placed an undue strain upon thy patience of the public, and reasonable people would probably have found little reason to quarrel with him had he eonmdored himself entitled to a longor interval than ho has availed himself of to arrive at.the very important decision lie was called upon t:> make. Ho that as it may, however, tho Prime Minister on his part has shown himself as desirous of early taking tho people of the Dominion into his confidenco as thoy have been that he should do so. Within three weeks of tho return of tho writs, the Christmas holidays intervening, Sir Joseph Ward has met tho Government supporters in each Island in conference on tho situation, and yesterday caused the publication' of the statement w« reproduoe fully in another column.

After referring to tbc fhTfipultios ol tho situation, tho Pritne Minister says: "I have assurances that on a vant-of-'"onfidchco motion I should have a small majority. 1 have therefore been urged to defer calling Parliament together until tho ordinary timo, or till after tho close of tho financial year. I have, however, fully considered the position, and I have satisfied myself that it is tho wiser discharge of my 'duty that I should take the course I am to indicate. The two main par-ties are practically even, and a small independent section of members has thus.tho balance of power. I liavo all through been of opinion that Parliament atone should deal with such a situation, and I

have finally concluded tJiut Parliament shonid meet as early as practicable for that purpose. I shall therefore ask His Excellency the Governor to summon Parliament for Thursday, 15th proximo." In this Sir Joseph Ward is taking a courso that will Lo applaurlod by all parties. It is that which political usage indicates as tho proper procedure of a Prime Ministei who finds himself without a sufficient majority to carry on the government of the country with dignity and efficiency, and it will enable the actual strength of the respective parties to be ascertained as early as can reasonably be expected. Sir Joseph Ward's statement will have the welcome effect of terminating the flood of rumours which, originating in "authoritative quarters" have contributed to the general distraction for which the situation has been responsible. Tho Prime Minister makes no reference to any of the intentions which have been so imputed to him, and it is evident that his intentions carry him no further than tho correct and statesmanlike course he has outlined, namely, to tender to the Governor advice that Parliament should bo summoned to deal with the situation in a constitutional manuer.