HON. T. MACKENZIE TO LEAD

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1396, 23 March 1912, Page 5

HON. T. MACKENZIE TO LEAD

THE PARTY MOT UNANIMOUS SOCIALISTIC POLICY REAFFIRMED SIR JOSEPH WARD RESIGNS NEXT WEEK

Parliament House yesterday was the scene of a very interesting political drama. The caucus of "Liberal" members and their Labour allies, adjourned from the previous ovening, reassembled at .'1 o'clock, and sat all day, save for a luncheon adjournment. From lime to time stories as to the happenings within came to tho ears of those who waited in Iho outer corridors, but when it was announced, at a riuarler to six o'clock, that (he Hon. .T. Mackenzie had been elected as leader, not a few of those who heard (he news wore greatly surprised. Of lato it has been considered that .Mr. Millar's chances of election outweighed those of any other candidate. It was ascertained on good authority that Mr. Millar's supporters made a big effort to secure his election. The story went that tho section of the party which favoured his appointment allowed their colleagues to "blow off steam" in tho early proceedings of the caucus, hoping to score an eleventh hour victory. However, all speculations were set at rest by the announcement of the decision of the party. The first indication that the caucus had concluded its labours; itas a sound of vigorous cheering. Then a babel of talk could be heard as members streamed along the corridor, and the tone; were those of men relieved at having disposed of an awkward task.