THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 474, 15 June 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

PRIME MINISTER CONFIDENT

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Thomas Mackenize, arrived in Auckland yesterday morning and left by the Helensviile express on a Northern tour, which will embrace Helensviile Dargaviile and Whangarei. Seen by a Star representative prior to bis departure, the Prime Minister had something interesting to say upon the subject of the present political situation.

Questioned as to what might be expected to happen when Parliament met at the end of the present month, the Hon. Mr Mackenzie said that he was confident the Government would maintain its majority. When the members supporting the Liberal party met last February for the purpose of selecting a leader each man present pledged himself, before anyone was nominated, to stand by the person elected. That was a covenant agreed to, and he believed that every man would carry out the spontaneous pledge given when they met to select a leader. "It has not been often in recent years," continued the Hon. Mr Mackenzie, "that the Government party has in this way had the opportunity of selecting its own leader, and it would not be a satisfactory thing to place on record if those who made that pledge now departed from the responsbility entered upon. Personally,l do not think there will be any such departure, and the Government will in my opinion, successfully weather the storms that are predicted to be brewing." MR RUSShiLL AT. TAIHAPE. [itY TELEGRAPH. —ITR.KSS ASSOCIATION.] Taihape, This Day. The Hon. G. W. Russell addressed a crowded meeting last night, and was accorded an enthusiastic hearing. He said the Opposition had described the Government as robbers and usurpers, but the Opposition was touring the country like Christy minstrels with Mr Massey as <: Mr Johnson," Mr Fisher as "Bones," and Mr D. Buick as "Tambourine." He defended the appointment of the commissions now sitting Replying to Mr Fisher's remarks that he (the speaker) was a large landholder, he said he claimed the right to acquire land, as he had fourteen children. His land was valued at only £10,511. being what was called "despised land," He said ten Opposition members be tween them owned land valued at £1,114,222. He compared the action of the Opposition over the voting of Messrs Payne and Robertson with their eagerness to embrace an exMinister who had also given election pledges. The Opposition until recently had been claiming that the Government should not appoint a new High Commissioner; now they claimed the position ought, to be filled.

A vote of confidence in the Government was carried unanimously.

WILL NOT COALESCE

STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY Auckland This Day,

Speaking at the conference of the Reform League at Auckland yesterday, Mr Massey said at present the friends of the Government were trying to engineer a coalition but the Reform party would not coalesce. The matter was discussed at the recent meeting of the party in Wellington, when it was decided no overtures towards coalition would be entertained.

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR

SPEECH AT HELENSVII,LE. Auckland, This Day. The Premier delivered a political address at Helensville last night, the hall being well filled. The Premier recapitulated the financial position, which, he said, was most satisfactory. Although much might be said regarding the public debt, the country was obtaining, directly and indirectly, more in return for its investments than it was paying on all borrowed money. Negotiations were being opened with Australia with a view to widening the system of exchange on mutually beneficial terms. Regarding the future he could see only one course. That was for those who pledged themselves at the Labour conference to carry out their pledges. The Opposition clamied they could win by seven votes. He regarded this as a reflection upon honourable men pledged to support his Government. A majority of seven ;against the Government could only be secured by departure from solemn obligation. He did not believe any such departure would be made, and he did not wish to continue in oflice for an hour if in the opinion of the people his services were not of value to them. The principles of the party he represented were first, second and third: closer settlement and profitable occupation of the land and a stoppage of the aggregation of estates. A vote of thanks and an expression of confidence in the Ministry was carried by acclamation.