POLITICAL SITUATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14658, 27 January 1912, Page 6

POLITICAL SITUATION.

MR MASSEY-'S TRO3PEOTS. Tha AVelliEgton corrospondont of "Tlie Press" writes:— -the impression seems to be gaining ground that if JUr Atassey is given the opportunity of forming a Jiunfitry, he wiii be able to carry on for lie fvll term of the Parliament, and that anoth«r general, election, either within the year or at the end of three veal's, would certainly increase his majority. Even the •■Evening post" seems to have come to the conclusion that he should be (riven a fair cb..uce. for m c-onl tiding its principal leading* article to-Light it says:—-'lt is at any rate clear that there is no such question of principle at stake as should prevent Air Jlassoy from receiving at least a qualified support, during good behaviour, from a section of the Liberal Party, strong en nigh to balance tlio representatives of Labour and Independent Liberalism. On tho other hand a strong reason whylie should receive such a support is to be found in the natural reluctance of ad_ members to force a J ssoiution; a reluctance which is with good reason st-ongest on the side of the Liberals. Tl at party is very seriously discredited a;:d disorganised. It is speculating on a change of Leader, but it doos" rot krow where to turn to find a substitute for the present one. A dissolution under these conditions would rssurodly land the Liberals in a. far worse position than thev or-cuiw at present. To stand and wait is tbe'best service they can render their cause at present. With rens-r.-.ble ment, Mr Alassev should, therefore, have a good chance of phiving out the three years, and whatever he dsr-s. vo are satisfied that the cliantr-?- will be beneficial. The Liberals' moiion-Iv of p. wer has Lsi-d fnr too lon-' to be tv'toiesome. and we here* that the perfo.rnian.co may never be. repeated." '

THE WAHyAU PETITION. The petition to ui.-et the election of Mi- M-.-Callum for tho Wan an seat Wi'l reqeirc t u be heard before two JiXKx.. of the Supivaie l'.,urt Isavs the '■i'Joiv.iiium"). The orocedure laid dtwn under the Lcirsiaiuro Act sets otfc ihat the petition shall be lodged with the retiiniintr ;,fhee.r. who in turn roiwards it on to the Registrar of the Sipreme. Court. Tho Ch.ef Justice tieii names the two Judtres to eonsii-tut-e the Election Court to conduct the trial. In justieo t.» ab na.rtks it is consdered desirable in s.-.eh c»,ses that the Judges shall be selected to try the istuoas soon a possible niter thopeti-t,-iiin is lodged, so that the quest'on at issue may be cleared v,i> -without unnecessary delay. So far, apparently, the Chief Jus'.ice has done .-lotfiin-z i'n t-l'.o matter of the AY.-.irati petition, and no date has yet been litced for tho trial.