THE OPPOSITION PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 278, 16 April 1913, Page 8

THE OPPOSITION PARTY.

A POSSIBLE LEADER,

A rumour at present afloat in political circles is that Sir Wm. Hall-Jones, on his return to New Zealand, will be asked to stand for' Parliament at the next general election, with a view to his being appointed Leader of the Opposition. It is stated that Sir Wm. Hall-Jones certainly intends to enter active politics again, and his previous experience as a Minister and as Prime Minister for a brief period after Mr. Seddon's death, gives him an undoubted claim to leadership, in Opposition, of the party with which he has hitherto been associated. The prediction gains support from the fact that Sir Wm. Hall-Jones has been removed from the bickerings which have riven the party now in Opposition during the past year or two. It is believed by some who are acquainted with the ins and' outs of the political situation that lie could do more to reunite the scattered elements of the Opposition than any other leader now in sight. tt is stated that Mr. T. K. Sidey. member for Dunedin South, and Mr. J. Colvin. member for Buller, are unlikely to seek re-election to the House of Representatives when the present Parliament has run its course.—Wellington Dominion.