THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 93, 19 December 1914, Page 7

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED. CABINET TO CONSIDER POSITION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 18. In reply to the statement made by the Leader of the Opositicn, the Prime Minister interviewed by a “Post” reporter, said: “I cannot forget the action, or, rather, inaction, or Sir Joseph Ward and his party after the last election, when the country had definitely declared against them. Parliament was not convened until —1 speak from memory—about the third week in February. I do not propose to follow any such example. There may be other changes yet, but you can take it from me that the Government will play the game and do the right thing under the circumstances. The Cabinet will meet at the earliest to consider the new position that has; arisen. If we cannot carry on there is certainly no other party in New Zealand at the present moment that can do so. The Reform party is a united party, while the Opposition consists of two sections which have practically nothing in common except, perhaps, a desire to punish the Government for doing its duty last session, and, as a consequence, to occupy the Treasury benches. I do not consider the position fully decided yet, and there may be changes where there are recounts. As for the Northern Maori member, I can only say that I know Mr Tau Henare well, and there is no better type of Maori member in Parliament to-day. I have no doubt as to his attitude.

SIR MAURICE O’RORKE’S VIEWS. (By Telegraph). AUCKLAND, Dec. 18. The opinion of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, or twenty >ears the Speaker cl the House cf Representatives, in regard to the present political deadlock, was ascertained in the course cf an interview with the ‘"Star” tc-day. Sir Maurice observed that the poli tical situation was a unique one and personally he was cl; the opinion that, it was a glorious opportunity for the gentlemen who bad no scruples in changing sides. Such a thing had occurred bolero and might easily happen again, although he did not think it would be any cf the leading men. That was the only hope (1 the Government.

Sir Maurice pointed out that there had been previous occasions on which the Government cf the country had boon carried on by a ■■ > slender majority. For iin taiv. Mia first year ho entered Parlia-wni Mr Fox's party,

1 tc which he- b k r r co. had a majority jof cue, and turned cut a Government which had been in educe I’cr five years. J U carried on for 12 mouths, but when an experimental session was tried in Wellington it was defeated. In the event of there being no turncoats at the present juncture to enable the Government to resume office with a majority, continued sir Maurice, the only course open would be for Mr Massey to resume office and to elect his Speaker. This would leave him in a minority of one, and upon a no-confidence vote being carried in the House the Government would have to resign, and Sir Joseph Ward assume office. Presumably, he would follow precedent, and would not elect a Speaker, and by that means the Liberal party would have a majority of one, the Speaker being deprived of a vote except in the event of a tie. If the Government is anxious to ascertain its fate, continued Sir Maurice, it might call the session much earlier, but I think It will be content to bold the reins until Parliament meets. Asked whether he thought there should be some compromise in the event of a tie before the election of the Speaker, Sir Maurice said he did not think the idea was practicable. Personally, he would rather see a Government endeavour to struggle on with a majority of one in preference to a formal session to pass some revision of the electoral law, followed by resignation. This would be better than forcing another election upon the country. , THE NORTHERN MAORI. Tau Henare, in the course of the interview with the “New Zealand Herald” correspondent said that he was not pledged to either party, but his general inclination wa s to support the present Government on a want of confidence motion. He would not be a party man. He would represent the northern Maoris, many of whom were on either side. Pie was not going to be found in Massey’s pocket or Ward’s pocket, and was not a dog to respond | to the crack of the party whip.

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