POLITICAL SITUATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1088, 30 December 1911, Page 3

POLITICAL SITUATION

A CAUCUS,

Christchurch, Dec. 28

The South lslaud members of the Government parly were summoned to Christchurch to attend a caucus which was held in Warner’s Hotel this moruiug. There seemed to have been a fairly unanimous response to the invitation, as Goverumeut members from the West Coast and Southland were present. The caucus started about x 0.30 a.m., wheu the following were present: Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister), Sir Arthur Guinness (Grey), Mr John Colvin (Bullet), Mr T. E. Y. Secldou (Westland), Mr G. Witty (Riccartou) Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), Mr T. H. Davey (Christchurch Last), Mr L- M. Isitt (Christchurch North), Mr G. Laureuson (Lyttelton), Mr G. W. Russell (Avon), Mr G. W. Forbes (H. runui), Mr W. J. Dickie (Selwyn), Mr T. Buxton (Temuka), Mr James Craigie (Timaruj, Mr J. C. Thomson (Wallace), Mr J. A. liauan (Invercargill), Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), and Mr R. McCallum (Wairau). The only South Island supporter ol the Goverumeut party not present was Mr E. Pi. Clark, \member for Chalmers. He telegraphed explaining that he had received the telegram inviting him to the caucus too late to enable him to be present. A very considerable amount of importance was attached to the gathering, as the Goverumeut is in a majority in the South Island and in a considerable minority in the North. The caucus concluded about noon.

A reporter then interviewed the Prime Minister, who said that he bad no announcement to make. It was a private gathering, and it was not bis intention to make a statement as to what would be done. He was not ready to make that announcement.

Several members who had been present at the caucus were seeu by reporters, but they had nothing ot any importance to say. It was very evident that one and ail had been asked to regard the proceedings as secret. Speculation was rile as to the turn the discussion had taken, but there was no “official ” report, and members were entirely non-committal. The southern members will probably leave lor the south tomorrow. The West Coasters will go ou to Welliugton. A message received this morning states that there will be a similar meeting of North Island Government members m Wellington to-morrow.

Mr Wilford, the Mayor of Wellington and member lor the Hutt, left yesterday tor England to consult specialists regarding an internal trouble. This will, of course, mean that the Government will be one vole short if an early session is held, unless Mr Wilford has by some chance managed to secure a “ pair.” Though Dr. Pomare the member for the Western Maori District, is labelled Independent, it is practically certain that he will vote agaiust the Government ou a uoncoulidence motion.

According to the Feilding Star, the following would be a good Massey Ministry ; —Mr W. F, Massey, Premier and Minister of Lauds; Mr W. H. Herries, Minister ot Mines and Native Affairs; Mr Herd man, AttorneyGeneral and Minister ut Justice ; Mr L. Newman, PostmasterGeneral and Minister ol Agriculture ; Mr James Allen, Aliuister of Finance ; Mr PI. Rhodes, Minister of Defence ; Air Veitch, Aliuister of Labour.