POLITICAL CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 6

POLITICAL CRISIS.

THE PROBABILITY OF DISSOLUTION. Expectinoy is the prevailing; note in political circles nt the moment, and it is unlikely that any interesting development will take pliice in tho immediate future, for Ministers are now scattered over the Dominion, and are not expected to reassomblo in Wellington- for some days. The caucus at which tho Forty are to select a new leader cannot, in tinv ense, bo' held until towards the latter end of next week, and probably a somewhat later dato will be selected. The Forty have nothing to gain by hastening matters. Tho belief is gaining ground that the next assembling of Parliament will be followed quickly by a dissolution nnd an appeal to the country. Party organisers aro reported to be holding themselves ia readiness for another election, and even amongst staunch friends of the "Liberal" party there is aa increasing feeling that it cannot form a Ministry capable of successfully resisting the .attacks to which it will bo subjected in Parliament. Probably the essential business of the next session will be to determine whether a Reform or "Liberal" leader shall go to the country as Prime Minister.

"THIS CANKER."

MINISTER ON BROKEN PLEDGES. ■ Speaking at the communion table at the Roslyn Presbyterian " Church on Sunday morning (says tho "Otago Daily Times" of March 5), the Rev. W. Gray Dixon declared that the whole country had lately been humiliated through two men who had been elected by the people to the high position of legislators having deliberately and shamelessly broken their pledges, revealing themselves as path-breakers, men not to be trusted. The whole community niifht well spend a day in humiliation and prayer that this canker that bad entered into our public life might be checked and eradicated.

WARDISM AND ITS ALLIES

IS THE DEFENCE SYSTEM IN DANGER? The "Maorilend Worker," the organ of the New Zealand Federation of. Labour, gave prominence in its issue of yesterday to the following special telegram dated from Christchurch on Monday last:— "Harry Cooke was arrested this raornin" while at work. Have just visited him in the police cell. He is nervous, but real hero. The country

should ring with protest. Labour fopporti' I think, must be withdrawn from Liberate unless the gaoling of boys'under the Defence Act is to stop. . Robertson and Payne should lead e Dig campaign. Surely we cannot longer submit to this dastardly prosecution. •...". ■ ... The release of Cooke through tho exercise of tho powers of the Executive has already been reported. .....■•

LABOUR'S POSITION.

VIEWS OF LEADERS. IBr Telerraph—Preei Aisedatloa.l Christchurch, March 8. Speaking to-night at a. ."social" to Mr. D. S. Sullivan, the defeated Labour candidate for Hiccarton, Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, said that, for the future, tho Labour party must use whatever party was most suitable for their requirements, and do the best their could with it for that purpose; but; the identity of the Labour part)' must be maintained to carry on the work of that party. If there were a few more Labour men in Parliament they could wield a tremendous influence. Even as it was they had power to ensure progress on sound lines. The Labour party, he said, was lost to the Liberal party, not because , the workers had ceased, to be Liberals, but because the leader. of tho Liberal party had ceased to bo democratic. Tho Hon. J. T. Paul urged that efforts should be mndo to secure the co-operation of the Labour party and tho small farmer. Messrs. Hunter and Whiting, two of the local Labour leaders, urged that no Labour man should take a position in a Ministry other than a Labour Ministry.

STAGE MANAGEMENT.

WORKERS CHEER THE "LEADER:" IB* TeleeranlT.-Preai 4«»elatlo».l Taihape, March 8. Sir Joseph Ward received a very hearty reception from tho residents at Palmerston North, Foilding, and Iluntervillo on his way north by tho Main Trunk express today. Hearty cheering was given at each of these stations. At Huntervillo there was a large gathering of workers, who called for three lusty cheers, for, aa they termed him, the man "who kept the old flag flying.." At Tnihape a largo concourse assembled. Many hearty congratulations were tendered to Sir Joseph Ward, great enthusiasm was displayed, and hearty cheers were given on his leaving. .

Particulars of two good Taranaki sheep farm 9 aro advertised in to-day's issue by Mr. W. Bewley, .JNcw Plymouth. Tho terms are exceptionally easy, and well worth perusal by sheep farmers desirous of purchasing properties of this description. Colo'e Drapery Co., Mannern Street, announce that their renowned Bale it now in