A RUMOUR DENIED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1331, 8 January 1912, Page 4

A RUMOUR DENIED.

HOW IT ORIGINATED. MB;'. L. M. ISITT'S ATTITUDE. " (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Christchurch, January G. Statements were published locally that all kinds of intriguing are taking place to induce members of the Opposition to abjure their allegiance and to join tho ranks of tho Government followers, and that Sir. L. M. Isitfc had been tho intermediary of a tempting offer, to a prominent member of the Opposition, who was offered nothing less than the position of Minister for Hail ways in the reconstructed Cabinet. Inquiries mado in Christchurch to-day in regard to the statements show that they arose out of harmless jokes mado without any significance whatever, and without the slightest semblance of pretence or" authority from Sir Joseph Ward.

Mr. Isitt, on bfing interviewed, stated that lie did not have a conversation with any member of the Opposition that could by the wildest flight of imagination he construed into an offer of a place in the Ministry. Sir Arthur Guinness staled his conversation with Mr. F. M. B. .Fisher was simply a jocular allusion as to which Cabinet Mr. Fisher would bo inclined to join. Mr. Fisher stated that thero was nothing in it. No offer whatever was made. Ueferriiifr to his attendance at tho caucus of Government members. Mr. Isitt states that at Sir Joseph Ward's invitation ho had attended tho caucus held in Christcl'niich last week. He felt it a duty to himself, his constituents, and the country that he, ns an ardent Liberal, should express his opinion as to what ought to be done in tho present circumstances. He did not voto on any pro-position-placed before the caucus, and he drew the attention of those present to tho fact that ho was there as an Independent. At (he same lime ho assured Sir Joseph Ward that; he inißht rely upon the fact (hat he would do all in his power to keep the Opposition out while still r«s tainiiiß absolute freedom from any pledge to cither Sir Joseph Ward or the Governniciit. He washed to stain definitely that lie was not in Sir Joseph Ward's coniideucc; ho did not at present know-what ce-urbo, Sir Joseph Ward iiitejidtid to

take; ho' had not the remotest idea as to whom Sir Joseph Ward intended to (ako into his Ministry or keep out; and anv opinion ho might hold, like the opinion of tho man at the street corner, was baaed simply on his own intuition.