AN UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13454, 27 June 1912, Page 6

AN UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK.

OPPOSITION STILL CONFERRING.

(Special to "Tim Colonist.")

Wellington, June 2G

There is littlo to acid to previous messages regarding the political situation, for it hss not op-only dove .oped yet. Lengthy caucus meetings of the Opposition Vere- aga^n held to-day, and a very brief luncheon interval showed the ipiportanc© of tho business under consideration, liuiu-ours oiv definite agreements between tho 11-t>n. J. A. Millar, and Mr. Coates, of Kaipara, and the Opposition have gained a good deal of currency. Curiously enough the Hon. K. Ai'civenzie is not labelled anti-Gov-ernment just at the moment. The supporters of tha iViinistry sa_y that he will yet declare his intention to go with them into tho same lobby. The same prophets say that the Hon. J. A. Millar wiL stay away altogether, but that doe-s not square with definite advices showing that Mr Millar's health is improving, and he will arrive here less than a week after the session's opening. The Reform Party's strict attention to business behind closed doors ,is, of course, arousing apprehension in the minds of Government supporters, but there is no report of a reliable nature to justify this attitude. Talking'with Mr Coates to-day I gathered that, despite tho rumours, ho ia not pledged to either party, and that neither side can claim him with absolute confidence. lie was not inclined to ma-do declarations pro maturely, but, if 1 can guage his mental attitude aright, ho is disinclined to alter his pjevious decision, though if the Government went out of power he probably would be averse to giv.ng Mr-Ma&sey a turn at the administrative Avheel.

This attitude is not confined to Mr. Coaxes, ii the iio, eminent fell, the party lines would be clown probably on both sides, hence- the extreme anxiety c,f Mr Massey and his principal lieutenants to have a thorough and nrm understanding with all their followers before tlie atmosphere becomes electrical, and tho elements are being resolved into new torms. There is a confident feeling among the Liberals that under such conditions it is not so certain that the Opposition would profit. They believe a modified Liberal Party would evolvebut at present they decline to admit, tho prospect of defeat.