THE LIBERAL PARTY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3178, 31 August 1917, Page 4

THE LIBERAL PARTY

A MEETING IN CAUCUS.

A meeting of the Liberal Party was held yesterday, at which there was a full attendance of members. No Labour members had been invited, and none were present. The meeting was summoned by Sir Joseph Ward, and he addressed members on matters of party ooncern. It is Understood that he .talked plainly to some of them about "playing the game," and that members in turn asked for an assurance from him as to the future of the party. Sir Joseph "Ward was evidently able to satisfy them, that tho entity of the' party would be preserved, for the meeting passed the following resolution: That this meeting of the members . of the Liberal Party desires to pledge its continued loyalty to the Et. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, its leader, and wishes to leave the settlement of all matters affecting the party to him.

There was little more than a mention of the filling of the vacant portfolio, and. it is one of the "matter? affecting the party" left to Sir Joseph Ward. The probability now is that the position will not be filled until the end of the session, and there is even a possibility that it will not be filled at all. Thero are so many candidates that the selection of one 1b not a pleasant task for the leader of the party. When he does make a selection • ho is sure to make several of his very good friends angry. In the last day or two, most of the tipsters havo named Mr. Buddo as most likely to bo the chosen one. ■ The official report of the Caucus announces that Sir John Findlay was warmly welcomed as a member of the Part7 THB VACANT PORTFOLIO. "I want to ask the Prime Minister a question of national importance,' said Dr. Newman, in the House of Representatives yesterday "I want to know_ if he will inform' the House What member of the Liberal Party has been appointed to the vacant seat in tne Cabinet. • (Laughter.) ,: ■ > ~ Mr. Massey: Replying to the question, I must refer the honourable member for Wellington East to . my colleague tho Finance Minister. Sir Joseph Ward: X will be very glad to take the honourable gentleman, into my confidence later.