THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 19 February 1912, Page 4

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

WHO WILL GOVERN?

The Governor's Speech is looked upon, as a strong bid for the support of Labor and Independent votes (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Eltham Argus, usually a well-informed man). It is felt that if Mr. Massey comes in he will have to go one better on radical and progressive lines to secure a majority. This, of course, will be difficult for. him, seeing that he has the support of' the large landholders. It is considered' that the Speech has made Mr. Massey's. position more difficult, as he can scarcely submit a more radical programme and: still retain the general support of "his. party. Mr, Massey's no-confidence amendment will be moved on Tuesday, and there appears every probability' of a lengthy debate, though the Opposition', may elect to -remain silent. It is rumored in the lobbies that the difference between the strength of parties at present is governed by one man's vote, .which, as it goes with the Government, will result in leaving it to the casting vote of the Speaker to decide the fate of parties. If the Government should hot survive the first division it is claimed it will, have a majority to oust Mr. sey as soon as he forms;a Ministry." For a newly-constructed Liberal; Ministry the choice of leader appears to lie between the Hon. T. Mackenzie and the Hon. J. A. Millar. It is freely stated that' any member of, the present Ministry, the Prime Minister included, is willing to take a position in the rank and file and support a Liberal Ministry. Mr. Massey's people are perfectly confident of securing office, but unless unexpected "ratting" on the Government side it is difficult to see how he can pull through on a second triakof strength. There is very little excitement, but ligw members are being diligently shepherded by the party whips, who are no dou|)t anxious to keep them out of bad cojtaP an y> and the old' hands watching toe game are obtaining considerable.amusement. There is a lot of "barracking" going on in the lobbies. All sorts of probable and improbable men are being congratulated on coming honors. In the meantime the whips on both sides aire unrelaxing in their efforts to keep the parties together. T

WHEN THE TKIAL OF STRENGTI COMES. i

POSITION OF THE PARTIES, rj The Lyttelton Times (Ministerial) says; The Reformers now number thirty-eight, and they are counting upon' the assistance of three of " the Lat&r members in turning the Government oat' of office. This, if their anticipations ate realised, would give them forty-one votes on a no-confidence motion. The Liberals and the Independent Liberals, on, the other hand, number thirty-nine, but Mr. Wilford is out of, the country, and Sir Arthur Guinness will be occupying the chair, so that their voting strength, assuming, as appears most probable, that the three Labor members will join forges with the Reformers against the Govjflk ment "as at present constituted," a&nnot exceed more than thirty-seven. If this estimate is correct, Mr. Massey will have, a majority of four, and, on carrying- His adverse motion, will be entrusted; with the formation of a Government. It is. what will happen then that really interests the public. If the three Labor members transfer their allegiance to theJprogressive party they have helped in displacing Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues, the party will have a majority 1™?, • without counting the votes rof Mr. Wilford and Sir Arthut Guinnes*;

AN EX-MINISTER ALARMTi^

The Hon. G. Fowlds, ex-member for Grey Lynn, although out of politics, is watching events closely in Wellington at present, and gave the.Press his opinions on the Speech. "I have read the Speech," he said, "with amazement and alarm. A good deal of it can only be described as mere padding, and some portions are so frankly reactionary and penficious that jt is to be hoped the proposals will never received legislative sanction. I doubt if even Mr. Massey would have had the temerity to suggest a step so retrograde and indefensible as raising the land tax exemption from £SOO to £IOOO, while the proposed alteration in the method of applying the tod tax to towns and cities obscures in ambiguous language the very serious proposaLwto differentiate between town and country land in the matter of land value and taxation. If the proposal to hand over to provincial councils the right of election a proportion of the members of the Legislative Cuncils is to be retained at all, members of that body should either be elected directly by the people Dr Ijy the people's representatives in Parliament assembled.- On the whole, I think the Speech not only fails to interpret the aspirations and. yearnings of the (democracy , but contains proposals, .of 'a. most mischievous character." : '

NATIVE LEASEHOLDS;

WEST OOAST RESERVES.

The natives at present in Wellington, some twenty or thirty representative men interested in the West Coast settlement reserves, Taranaki, are, saiys the Times, considerably perturbed over two questions of which Opposition members gave notice on Friday, jto ask the Native Minister.

By Mr. Okey (Taranaki): When it is intended to set up tye commission promised by him during the last session of Parliament to Report upon the advisability of giyilig a number of holders of West Coast leases taken up under the Act of 1882, the right ta come under the Act of 1892 j and whether he will allow the leaseholders the right of nominating at least two members of the commission? Note. Many of these leases are nearly at the end of their term, and the holders are anxious to know their position, and as legislation wijl be required to deal with the matter it is most important the promised enquiry should be held with as little delay as possible. Mr. Wilson (Taumarunui) to ask: Whether the Government is aware that' the Native Land Boards are refusing to sanction the sale of township sections in townships of Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, and Otorohanga, although the price agreed to be paid is equal or above the Government valuations; and will the Government remove such conditions?