POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1783, 14 June 1906, Page 2

POLITICAL.

THE NEW PRIME MINISTEB,

By telegraph, Press Aiss’ji, Copyright Sydney, June 18. The Herald, in an artiele, says that Mr* Hall-Jones forms a Ministry as a stopgap, but Sir J. G. Ward is the inevitable successor to Mr Siddon. His long asso* ciation with the late Prime Minister must oount for much, but if Mr W. P. Rseves would return'to politics be, might be a formidable competitor. The _queslion naturally arises whether Sir J. Ward oan carry the burden laid dowa to the limit at whioh it seemed to have been 86t only by Mr Seddon’s continued willingness to bear it had he lived. It maybe that death will hasten the appearance of a new force in the organised Labor party, and Sir J. Ward find himself sooner or letter faoe to faca with the three-party system. '

XPer Press Aiutociklion.} WelliDgtoo, night. Mr Ha'KJones has handsel the.following statement to the press for publication; “ The constitutional position has been carefully considered, and there is no doubt as to the oourse which should be followed. The Prime Minister must be appointed and meet Parliament. His Excellency has done me the honor to request me to take the position, and in the circumstances I considered it was my. duty to accept it. Though quite unfettered a 3 to' my action; I have informed His Excellenoy as to the course whioh I feel myself in honor bound to follow. The position is that Sir J, Ward, who in the ordinary course would have been sent for, is out of the colony, and in his absenoY there must be it Pre* mier, I Believe the people of New Zealand have confidence in my desire, and resolve to do that which is in accord* anoe with their wishes and thedietates of my own honor.’?