POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 178, 26 January 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL.

PISCATORIAL MINISTERS.

By Telegraph —Press Associativa. Rotorua, Last Night. The Prime Minister and party motored from Taupo to-day, and.are night here, returning to the Spa tomorrow. Sir Joseph is looking very fit after the spell. He has had splendid fishing during the past few days. On Sunday Sir Joseph leaves Taupo for Napier in order to be present at the turning of the first sod of the NapierGisborne railway, which ceremon/ takes place on Monday afternoon. Sir Joseph Ward had nothing »to communicate to the press. ■ The Hon. J. A. Millar is still at Taupo enjoying excellent Ashing, securing as many as thirty fish on one occasion.

THE COMING SESSION. PROBABILITIES DISCUSSED. Christchurch, January 24. Most of the current political gossip probably» is unreliable, but there may be some grains of truth to be gathered. It lias been stated lure, nu what appears to he good authority, tint the defeat of the Government on the' test division next month is practically assured* owing to the determination of certain Labor and Independent members to remove Sir y Joseph Ward from office, largely on personal grownls; but wheivMr. Massey has formed a Minis':rv, according to the local prophets, the relations between Labor and the Advanced Wing of Liberalism which is strongly represented in Canterbury, will be found'to, be close. Tlife' talk of Mr v Millar's retirement is generally known to be based on a probability', the Minister of Labor being disposed to apply himself to less arduous work—and perhaps more remunerative work—than has' been his lot during the last year or two. The resignation or defeat of the Ministry might seal his determination. ; It is stated confidently that Sir Joseph Ward is ready to stand aside in favor of a new leader, if one can be found; but no name is mentioned l with any definiteness. A SUGGESTED CABINET.

i A contributor to the Auckland Star, I who claims to speak with- authority, says that the leaders of the Opposition have been deliberating and' <*xchangin(* ideas in view 4 of eventualities which they believe to be imminent, and' that the personnel of tHe first Massey Minisltoes teen Settled on the following . Massey—Prime Minister, Minister for Lands, Minister in Charge State Advances Department. 1 Herries—Minister for Railways, Native Minister. ■ 1 Herdman—Attorney-General and Jus* [ tice Department. .Fisher —Labor, Marine and Customs. Rhodes—Postmaster-General, Internal ? Affairs. ■ Allen—Minister for Finance and D?v■ .. fence,,, - ■ <• Thomson—Education and: Mental Hospitals. ' Fraser—Agriculture and Mines. Hine—Public Works, Roads and Bridges. . Pomare—-Member for Executive Council without portfolio. Total, 10.

There are no Opposition members in the South Island nofth of Christchurch. Marlborough, Nelson and.'Westland are not therefore one. extra is allotted to maintain a proportion of North Island 6, South Islapd 4.