POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 155, 29 December 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

CAUCUS OP SOUTHERN LIBERAL MEMBERS. By Telegraph—.Prese Association. Christchurch. Thursday. Sir Joseph Ward met the South' Island members of the Liberal Party here this morning. Those present were: Sir Arthur Guinness, Messrs Ell. Isitt, Davey, Russell, Laurenson.Wittyj Dickie, Buxton, Craigie, Seddon, McCallum, Colvin, Forbes, Hanan, Thomson Sidcy. The conference lasted for two hours, and at its conclusion Sir Joseph Ward said that the meeting was a private one, and that he had no communication to make to the Press. Sir Joseph Ward returns to Wellington to-night. Christchurch, Last Night. The South Island members of the Government party were summoned to Christchurch to attend a caucus which was held in Warner's Hotel this morning] There seemed to have been a fairly unanimous response to the invitation, as Government members from the West Coast and Southland were present. The caucus started about 11.3(1 a.m., when the following were present: Sir Arthur Guinness (Grey), Mr. John Colvin (Buller), Mr. T. E.'Y. Seddon (Westland), Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), Mr. H. G. Ell (Christchurch South). Mr. T. H. Davey (Christchurch East,), Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), Mr. G. Laurenson (Lyttelton), Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon), Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), Mr. W. J. Dickie (Selwyn). Mr. T. Buxton (Temuka), Mr. Jas. Craigie (Timam), Mr. J. C. Thomson (Wallace), Mr. J. A. Hanan (Irevercargill), Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), and Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau).

The only South Island supporter of the Government party not present was Mr. E. H. Clark, the member for Chalmers. He telegraphed explaining that he had received the wire 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 Government 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 Premier, who said that he had 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 seen by reporters, but they had nothing of any importance to say. It was very evident that one and all had been asked to regard the proceedings as secret. Speculation uv.s rife 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 for the south to-morrow, and the West Coasters will go on to Wellington. A message received this morning states that there will be a similar meeting of North Tsknd Government members in Wellington to-morrow.