THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 9 January 1912, Page 4

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

THE PREMIER'S DECISION. \ PARLIAMENT CALLED FOR FEBRUARY 15. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. The Prime Minister has forwarded the following statement to the Press ciation:—TO THE ELECTORS OF NEW ZEALAND. The present political situation is a. very difficult one. It is not yet three weeks since the return of the wiritß, and this period includes the Christmas and New Year holidays. I have, during the short time at my disposal, fully inquired into the. situation in aU its bearings, and I have had assurances that on ec want of confidence motion I should have a small majority. I have therefore been urged t<>' defeir calling Parliament together until the ordinary time, or after the close of the financial year. I have, however, fully considered the position, and I have satisfied myself that it is the wiser discharge of my duty that I should take the course I now indicate. The two main parties are practically even, and a small independent section' of members has thus the balance of power. I have all through been of opinion that Parliament alone should' d«al with such a situation, and after, the fullest and most careful consideration that I'have given to the matter . I have finally concluded that Parliament should meet aB early as praotiable. For, that purpose I shall therefore ask his Excellency the Governor to' summon Parliament for Thursday, the 15th prox. There is no necessity for. me- to elaborate on the question involved, ■ excepting to say that in my opinion it is essential for the good and sound government of any country that the party in power should have a majority supporting it, and while neither of the principal parties can directly as the result of the elections claim that they have, this, I feel that the course I have intimated is- not only the constitutional one, but in the best interests of the people as a whole.. JOSEPH GEORGE. WARD., ■> MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS. Auckland, Last Night. Questioned this evening, Mr.. Massey. said that he was pleased Parliament was at last to meet,,but he was of opinion that it should have met at an earlier date. Last election was the most ihv portant in twenty years, and he thought that "Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues would have done the right thing had they advised the Governor to convene Parliament before the end of the present month. If an election became necessary it would be on account of the attempts being made to interfere with the will of the people as expressed at the polls.' A CONJECTURAL RECONSTRUCTION. The Christchurch Evening News says: "We are informed on excellent author- , ity that as a result of the conferences, of the Prime Minister with hia supporters in Christchurch and Wellington, the Government will meet Parliament at an early date ia a reconstructed form, The insistence of the Canterbury members on important Cabinet changes is said to havebeen met. by Sir Joseph Ward, and the various portfolios will be distributed 'as follows: Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, Minister for Justice, and PostmasterGeneral. Mr. Millar, Minister for Railways, Labor, and Marine. Mr. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Lands and Agriculture. Mr. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Worhs and' Customs. Mr. J. A, Hanan, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. Mr. G. Laurenson, Minister lor Education and Public Health. Mr. A. Myers, Minister for Mines. Mr. A. T. Ngata, Minister for Native Affairs. Mr. J. McGowan, Minister for Internal , Affairs and Leader of the Legislative Council."