SUGGESTED CHANGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 15, 30 December 1911, Page 5

SUGGESTED CHANGE.

BY THE SOUTHERN LIBERAL CAUCUS.

NEW MINISTRY SUGGESTED

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, December 28. Further reports of the proceedingsat to-day’s caucus are particularly interesting. It is gathered that there was a full, frank, and free discussion. There was a very general desire to avoid holding another election in the near future, as it was felt that the chances of the party would bo very small if there was an immediate ap peal to the country. The Prime Minister, it is said, took an extremely optimistic view of tlie position, and it seems that lie impressed his views on the members ol his party. The position of the Independent members was discussed, and it was felt that with their support the Government would bo able to carry on in the meantime.

The opinion of the caucus was that the' Administration should carry on, and call the House together in M.aj or Juno. The end of the financial year is March 31, and in the even! of an election being forced when the House meets, the Government would be able to go into the country with the Departmental figures for the year as election ammunition.

The constitution of the Cabinet war tlie subject of some talk, and there was a strong demand for drastic reconstruction. Rumour has it that tlie retirement of Sir James Carroll, Mr Roderick McKenzie, and Mr 1). Bmldo was suggested. The idea was that Sir James Carroll could he replaced by Mr Ngata as Native Minister. Another portfolio could he filled by Sir Arthur Guinness, who would retire from the Speakership. It is well known in political circles that the Speaker desires Ministerial rank, which would involve a more active political life than that which he enjoys as Speaker of the House. Mr J. A. Hunan, of Invercargill, is mentioned as a possible successor to Sir Arthur Guinness. Mr Hanan lias been a member of tlie House for twelve years, and has on several occasions been in the running for Ministerial rank.

The position of Canterbury members who may be expecting portfolios is a rather peculiar one. Mr Laurenson and Mr Ell are both mentioned freely, and Mr T. H. Davey was spoken of as a possible Chairman of Committees. The opinion seemed to be that the Canterbury members would have to light but the question of who was to go into the Ministry among themselves. The distinguishing feature of the caucus, however, was the strenuous demand for Cabinet reconstruction.

The exact nature of Sir Joseph Ward’s announcement after he meets the North Island members of his party can only he surmised. It is fairly certain that lie will state that the Government will carry on, hut in addition to this there is to he an announcement that, according to one authority, will surprise the country. This may deal with the question of reconstruction, or even the possibility of the Prime Minister’s retirement from j tlie leadership oft thei party. Some of the members do not conceal their opinion that the- reconstruction of the Ministry must eventually, if not immediately, provide for the retirement of the Prime Minister. It was felt that the illness of Mr T. M. Wilford, and his consequent absence when tlio House meets, will further complicate the position. It was suggested that a pair might he arranged for, but nothing definite was stated.—Wellington Dominion.

A CAUCUS OF NORTH, ISLAND ; ‘MEMBERS.' ' ~

“NO STATEMENT TO MAKE.”

Wellington, December 29

The North Island Government members met the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward at Ids official residence uO-night. The caucus was attended by the members of the Ministry it present in Wellington, and the following members of Parliament; — Messrs W. J). S. MacDonald (Bay of dimity), J. Vigor Brown (Napier), A. E. Glover (Auckland Central), R. W. Smith (Waimarino), V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands), A. M. Myers (Auckland East), and A. Parata (Southern Maori). The caucus lasted for two :.ours and a half.

At the conclusion, the Prime Minister, in reply to an inqury by a reporter, said:" “It was a private conference, and I have no statement to make.” MR WITTY’S REGENERATION SCHEME. LESS STATUTES: MORE WORK. Christchurch, December 29. Speaking at a complimentary social to Mr Geo. Witty, M.P., to-night, Sir ArtJiur Guinness said if more members of the House had only been stamped with 'the same characteristics which Mr Witty possessed 1 lie Liberal party would not be in the awkward position in which it stands to-day. They had a very difficult task to perform if they were to retain the Liberal party in the House for the next tbree years. Flo believed, however, that with the resource, tact, and ability that Sir Joseph Ward had shown in the past, now that the time had come when their leader should show what he was made of, Sir Joseph would shape tne party’s course, and if the Liberal policy went in such a direction as to retain the position he had held in Parliament for so many years past. The countrv had been prosperous under the rule of the Liberal party, and nobody present could think that that prosperity was likely to lie altered by the present party remaining in power for three years more. Other parts of tiio country seemed to think otherwise, but that was their mistake. Mr Witty said if the Liberal party was not beaten, and- the other side had to prove that they wore in the majority, he believed that in the iuture the Liberal party should not make so many laws, but should sce t.hat the existing laws were carried out better. There must bo a stronger and better administration, and he believed that they would have that in the future. 1)11) THE HON. MILLAR telegraph? HE SAYS NO. Wellington, December 30: In regard to the statement that has found circulation that Mr. A. E. Glover’s invitation to attend ting Liberal caucus in Wellington was signed by Mr. Millar, the Minister, interviewed, said: ‘‘l have never sent anything to Mr. Glover except congratulations upon re-election. I never asked him, nor any other member of the parly. In come to Wellington.’’ He added that there had been a'mistake somewhere.