THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 72, 20 March 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

UflH H‘ , f. ill isvija •] ‘U SIR JOSEPH WARD TO BEAKED TO RECONSIDER.A ! REQUEST- LIBERALS. , (Per Press Association.) Wellington,-, March 19. At a meeting of Liberate to-night it was decided to wait on Sir Joseph' Ward on Thursday, afternoon and present him with the following resolution : “That thifi; dfOTfiitation of ,Liber,al.s, supporters and friends of Qie; Right' Monte Prime Minister desire ‘ to ox-, press our regret [..-upon hearing that you have decided to resign the position of Premier of the Dominion and Leader of the Liberal Party. We are in sympathy with you in the circumstances under which you may consider it necessary to.,take that step. Looking back on the years you have led Parliament, and the many important Liberal measures you have introduced .and which are now brought into law, we realise that they have not been in the interest of.aiiy one class, but for all the people of the Dominion. We are not unmindful of your good services as Postmaster-General, of which the Post and Telegraph Department hears record in its up-to-dateness, being second to that in no other part of tne Empire; indeed, the whole of the legislation during youi term of ofiico bears the mark of progress as the result of which the Dominion is now quoted by the world’s statesmen as one of the most progressive parts of the Empire. We regret your resignation, and wo would sincerely ask you to reconsider your decision, feeling assured that the majority are with you and that you retain the conlidence of the people; and finally we wish to impress this fact upon the Liberal and Labour members in Parliament.” , ‘.‘l AM GOING TO IGNORE ALL SUCH RESOLUTIONS.” PAYNE WILL NOT RESIGN. Auckland, March 19. A resolution demanding the resignation of Mr. John Payne of his seat as member for Grey Lynn was carried by a very large majority at a meeting held by him on Monday. . . “I .am going to ignore all such resolutions,” was Mr. Payne’s retort. “I defy you and your resolutions! J am going to stay in that House just so long as it enables me to prove what 1 am!” Eully 600 people were present, .and the proceedings were even more stormily demonstrative than at the first meeting addressed by Mr. Payne. The chairman of his election committee again presided, and there was much animosity displayed against the lengthy statements which he frequently made from the chair. An active part was taken by Mr J. H. Bradney, M.P. for Auckland West, and Mr. W. H. Murray, Mayor of urey Lynn. EX-MEMBER HONOURED. Carterton, March 20. An. illu minuted address and a purse of sovereigns were presented to Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby last night by the citizens of Carterton. There was a large attendance of the public at the Borough Council Chambers, where the Mayor made the presentation. Mr. Hornsby was at one time member for the district, but was defeated at last election by a small majority. He is now residing in Potone where ho has charge of the “Chronicle.” He was also presented with a purse of sovereigns at Featlierston. TO-MORROW’S CAUCUS. Wanganui, March 20. T lie Hon. T. Mackenzie arrived from the north last evening and loft for Wellington to-day. Mr Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, also left to attend the Liberal and Labour caucus in Wellington to-morrow.