The New Premier.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 227, 23 March 1912, Page 4

The New Premier.

HON. THOMAS MACKENZIE. APPOINTED BY OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. HON. J. MILLAR NOT IN THE By Telegraph—Press Associalion. Wellington, Last Night. The Liberal caucus elected the Hon. T. Mackenzie, member for Egmont, and Minister for Agriculture, as the leader of the party. A\fter the caucus, Sir Joseph Ward made a statement to the Press. He '* said: ' .' "At the meeting of the Liberal Party on the first day of the caucus thejjr passed this resolution, to, which were attached the signatures of the whole'of the members of the party:— "That members of the Liberal P<irty • here present thankfully recognise the , able, brilliant and successful manner » in which Sir Joseph Ward has led the party since he became Prime Minister, * and also his assistance to the party i during the Premierships of Mr. Ballance and Mr. Seddon. expressed deep regret that he considers T . it desirable to vacate office, and trust i i that he will continue to assist the ' party with his wise ' counsel and,, mature experience." ' . Another resolution carried unanimously by the party to-day was:— ;■■■■■" • "That 'this party unanimously reaffirms the policy indicated in the Governor's Speech of last session." The party, after full consideration, took a vote upon the question of leadership, and Mr. Mackenzie was elected by a majority of 22 to 9, Mr. Laurenson being the member who obtained the litter number. , Asked whether Mr. Millar, whose ' name had been so prominently associated r> with the leadership discussion, had com# ■'•> v before the caucus in the same manner, Sir Joseph replied that as. a matter of ' fact Mr. Millar did not go to the vote. He withdrew from nomination. Tie whole of the proceedings was carried on with a kindly feeling members who held different opinions regard-—" ing the different candidates suggested ,', for leadership. . r "Upon the completion of the final bal- t lot," _ said Sir Joseph, "there wa» sy unanimous expression of good will con- , veyed by me tq Mr. Mackenzie on .behalf of the whole of the party present., I stated that the position, which , had been a difficult one, was approached from a broad-minded standpoint, and that it was necessary for the members of the party, if they wanted to succeed, i, to sink any minor differences, and to stand loyally by the new- leader. I ' pointed out that his position in the ter_ of selection of Cabinet was .nee'ea- ' sarily a difficult one, 1 ' and that self- J , sacrifice from the point of view of in- "• dividual meirfbers would require to be ■ observed in order to ensure the solidarity of the party behind the new ad- ' ministration when it was formed. I took the opportunity finally of thanking the members of the party there present, as well as the members of the old party, for their continued loyalty and support given to me over a long period of years, and I also thanked absent members of the party who were defeated/at the '* general election for the past kindnesses and. assistance they .had from time to time extended to me.'' •• ' The Prime Minister, in reply to another question, said: "I hope to be in a position on Monday or Tuesday at the latest to send in my resignation and v. allow my successor to take office." Asked as to the position of the Labor J. members, Sir Joseph said that, with the exception of Mr. Hindmarsh, who was - not present, they took part in all discissions and voted on the question at leadership. ,