THE CAUCUS

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1395, 22 March 1912, Page 5

THE CAUCUS

"LIBERALS" IN CONFERENCE.

A LONG DISCUSSION.

LEADER NOT YET SELECTED

The members of tho "Liberal" party, together with three Labour representatives and a number of. Independent, sat in caucus for five hours last night, with Ihe object of selecting a now leader. It had been staled that the placo of meeting would bo. Awn run House, but instead the caucus was held ,in the Government AYhip's room at Parliament Buildings.

Tho Labour members who altcndod, were MoKrs. W. A. Veilch (Wanganni), J. Payne (Grey Lynn), and J. Robertson (Otiiki). Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South) was not present. Ho had slated to a reporter earlier in tho Any that he did not propose lo attend in nny capacity. At least two "Independent:" members were present,- Mr. L. MV I«itt (Christchurch North), nnd Mr. 11. Atmore INcliun).

It was about 8.15 p.m. when the caucun assembled, and from then until one o'clock no whisper of information as lo what was gobg on behind the closed, doors was lo bo heard anywhere. The closest secrecy was observed. Xobody but members of (ho parly and a few pressmen woro admitted to tho building, and although the newspaper men were nut absolutely confined to their own room, (hoy were not allowed to Icavo it unobserved. It was apparently tho duly of one or nnolher of (he motsenijers on duly to ftv that they diil not approach the proclaimed area 100 c]-j,cly. All up. proacli lo the lDfctins room' was cut oil by the cloorn opening into the corridor loading to it being clo-.ed, and waleluiJ clesely hy nvossi'iigci , ?.

Five Minutes to One. At five minutes to one o'clock, Mitsre. Payne and Isilt cainc out through the lobby, ami Jive minutes later they were followed by a number of their colleagues. Individual members who were approached declined to say anything about what hail occurred. The Hon. ]). Duddo parried a question as to Hie position arrived at by remarking, "What tine weather we arc having." Meantime one of the pressmen in waiting had been admitted to the Prime Minister's room, whore a number of members wero assembled. Two other press representatives who approached the door of the room just afterwards were denied admission. The reporter, who had been admitted, on coming out remarked that he had a statement by tho Primo Minister. It was merely to tho effect that the caucus had adjourned until 11 a.m. to-day, and.that the gathering had been a pleasant one, characterised by Hie best of good feeling. Xo other official statement wa* made. Nothing Decided. After the meeting individual member! wero questioned as to what had been done. .Ml they would say was that tlie caucus had adjourned, and that nothing had booii decided. In answer to a direct question one of them said that no leader had yet been chosen by the party, but that in all likelihood there- would be no difficulty about choosing one when the caucus met again to-day.

■■ Among mauy of the members who have cotno, to town to attend the caucus (he •election of Mr: Millar to the leadership scenis- to have been regarded as practically assured, and it was taken for granted that his reluctance, which, was certainly atone time very decided, had been, overcome. It was expected that there would be a good deal of discussion in the caucus before a decision would bo formally reached. The party did not approach .the meeting in a. very hopeful frame of mind, and pome of the "most skilful politicians within its ranks considered I hat tho new Ministry, ■ whatever its personnel,, would not survive long after meeting the House.