RESIGNATION?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1351, 31 January 1912, Page 6

RESIGNATION?

. , OF WARD CABINET. .. GROWING POLITICAL RUMOURTHE HON. J. A. MILLAR. WILL' HE. QUIT THESE SHORES? IBj Teleeraoh.—Preea Association.! , .......... Gore, January 30. .A,prominent Liberal member has informed tho "Matauru Ensign" . that Sir Joseph Ward has decided to resign on February li, and to ■ recommend Mr. Massey to the' Governor as , his successor. At a lalW stago the Hou. , Thomas Mackenzie will. move a no-confidence motion agaiust Mr. Masssv. Mr. Millar resigns his seat -and his portfolio 'absolutely, and goes to Australia.'and this liajl -no small influence on Sir Joseph Wnrd's decision. ■. . Commenting on the news, tho "Ensign" eays:—"So ninny Tumours aro afoot that it .is hard'to placo trust in any, but we ] 'ji,ve ; tjie word of our informant that an arrangement, as stated has been come to by the party. Whether they ultimately change their plans is another matter."" I'J'he Dunedin "Star" predicts that Sir Joseph' Ward >ill forward to his Excellency the Governor' the resignation's of Uinvself rind'the-niembers of liis Administvation. oh' the eve of Parliament 'meeting!] \.,:t'\: will he;resign? -.; , : ;. OEGAN'S' VIEW. : : : 'lliy; '• V ~r .:.'..,; ..Christch.urch,' January 30. 1t.. , -" ff-gnificant..that ..the' . "Lyttelton T l . m i?s'..supports the beJiei;.'expressed bv H', fi "•l ) . un .?' l J. n ': '. $tif'■■ 'hat .-.Sir- : Joseph >V«1 .iresigu ■: before' ' .tho meeting.of Parliament:.'• ■/ -.'/,.. -.' ..... ■ . ,■; .'.','^' t " .would. rather,'. 0f... • courfe,"'. coritmues the 'tTiuiw,"."that,he had made way.ior .the, leader of the Opposition, a iiionrh ago, wlini it. was evident, that, at lx\st j: he- could" command a .limjority of unl£.\onfc;.6'r.. two.■.on.a.no-confidence m'ofeouH.'iit no great .harm- has been done by the;delay, except perhaps to his own party, and;tliat .can be speedily repaired. \Vo presume that,if-the rumour should prove, correct, the' precedent established in 1891 will be followed very, closely. The (iovernor's. Speech to' Parliament will minpiinco thu resignation of Sir Joseph Ward a nd his colleagues, and. the fact thatJMr. Massev has undertaken tho forniatipn of a Ministry. The new Prime Minister will then submit the names of tho .'jolleagu.es .whom; he has chosen, and, after, , transacting absolutely 'necessary I>usines3, to which' there Will be no oppowill ask for an adjournment until tho.usual time in June, in order that he inay. .prepare his policy .and. his legislative proposals.' The adjournment will ):e.-granted,, and members will return-to tneir .home's, to await tho very -strenuous fission".w.lnch-: probably will occupy the greater part of tho concluding half of the yqarV ' . ■

"Tho. political situation is promising to tako on a new interest which, if it breeds nothing more than the proverbial "divine discontent;':-'.can .scarcely fail to •: bo ; of' advantage to .the country." '■■ THE TACTICS OF IT. .. HEVirJWED AND'CEITICISED. Commenting on this, view of the position, tin , "Evening News" siiys:—"Our view is (hat if Sir Joseph WanC after all this wriggling and shuffling, .is going to resign before thy House meets, then .Mr. Mussey, .before taking oFflqp, .should obtain from ttinra -written assuran,c<sthat he will not countenance ot siipport'a hostilo motion until such tinfo as -the new Govern-, lnent has had a reasonable opportunity of formulating its policy. In the absence of any such understanding:,- Mr. Mawwy should consider the expediency of declining to form o-Ministrr. That would leave the Governor no alternative but to send for Sir Joseph Ward again, and throw on Mm tho onu<! (which he now seems desirous of shirking) of meeting Parliament, and taking whalevw may be in store for Mm. •■:•;• ■■'•'■.■

"From a. tactical point'of view there is a great deal more iu this'procedure than meets the eye. If a, Massey Government hils to m'eot Parliament next'month a defeat might place Sir, Joseph Ward in such n position that, when defeated in ttrn, he -nould be justified in asking foT a dissolution, but the Reform party should take good care that, if anyone is to occupy this position, it will he their own leadpr. It has no reason to fear another appeal to the country, but, with such tricky.and unscrupulous opponent*, it cannot afford t:i concede any,points;- - '-. . ■•. - "There is precedent for ati attitude such if wo h'avc.';Mlggested in .Lord Salisbury's action in 1885, when, neither party being ?sre of its position, Lord Salisbury at first declined to assume office unles-i Mr. Gladstone agreed to'protect him temporarily from snaii. divisions and hostile motions. Mr. Gladstone gave a qualified aspi'irance, on the strength of which Lord Salisbury acceded to Queen. Victoria's request to'form a Ministry." ~

LIBERAL GATHERINGS. '■•' ■ Timaru, January 30. : 'Mr. T. Buston, M.P., was entertained sit a "focial" at Temukalast night by Ms 'election committee, and presented with an illuminated address of a complimentary nature. Representatives were, present from distant parts of the electorate. The Hon. T. Mackonzio was also present, and gave a speech in which he claimed that the Liberal party had dono tnueh to increase the prosperity of the country.; . . : . . 'To-morrow tho Minister will attend the presentation gathering in honour of . Sir Vt. J. Steward, at Waiibate; and will then go on to Oamaru to attend a gathering in'honour of the Hon. T. Y. Duncan: