POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 1 February 1912, Page 8

POLITICAL.

A STORY DENIED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellingt6n, Wednesday. The Post has the authority of the Premier for the denial of the statement that the Ministry will resign on the eve of Parliament meeting. A REFORM PARTY RALLY. Feilding, Wednesday. A Reform Party rally is to be held at Feilding on Monday, •, February 12; Messrs. Massey, Herries, and other leading members of the party will be present and will be entertained at a garden party. MR. MILLAR'S DENIAL. Gore, Last Night. I In connection with the rumour published in the Mataura Ensign and telegraphed yesterday, Mr. Millar has telegraphed to the editor in response to a communication, as follows:—"There is no truth in the statement re resigning."

NAILING- A CANARD. THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.' Wellington, Last Night. In an interview with a New Zealand Times' representative to-night, Sir Joseph' Ward stated that the remarks which had emanated from the south and were said to be on the authority of "a leading Liberal," to the effect that he proposed to tender his resignation as Prime Minister on February 14, are absolutely without any foundation. "In fact I have never made any statement to anyone that would warrant a leading Liberal or anyone else giving currency to such a rumour," he said. 'Whoever has made the statement has done so entirely ou his own account and without the least authority, As nobody but myself could hare authorised such a statement." Apparently to endeavor to give some coloring to the rAimor, the suggestion is madexthati Mr. Millar is to resign his seat and is going to Australia. This also is without, the least foundation in fact, so that this,story has been built up for the purpose of creating a little diversion at the present juncture. I have not in any way altered my intention as published some time ago, that I would meet Parliament with the Ministry as .it is bow standing, and I have not the slightest intention of doing otherwise. If I could have satisfied myself at first that the Opposition had a majority, I would have resigned immediately, but no one except those who are politically prejudiced could arrive at the conclusion after examining the results that the Opposition' have a majority: I stated, therefore, and the fact remains still, that the two leading parties are evenly divided, and the-balance of power remains in the hands of Independents and representatives of Labor. Under these circumstances it is, in my judgment, the proper course for the House to settle the question.. I have no intention of sharking my responsibility by evading the issue or of doing anything that would add to the difficulties of the position in any way.

"The Mataura Ensign is under the control of an Opposition member, and it is not usual for 'a leading Liberal' to take those who are opposed to him into his confidence, nor could I believe that any real friends of the Liberal party would make a statement deliberately contrary to fact." '