THE PARTY LEADERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1917, Page 6

THE PARTY LEADERS.

WILL THEY RETURN! '(Own Correspondent). Wellington, March 20. The story that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will not return to the Dominion, or if they <lo, will come hack merely to divest themselves of their political responsibilities, and to prepare for taking up their permanent residence in London, is being reiterated just now with more concentrated detail than it has been at any other time since, its iirst circulation—on the very day of the departure. It is stated now that Mr. Massey will receive a high title and take over the High Commissionership from Sir Tlios. Mackenzie, who, according to the story tellers, is to re-enter New Zealand politics, and that Sir Joseph Ward will accept a seat on the Imperial Council, which is now supposed to be in course of construction. The bearings of this pretty scheme really are too ludicrous for serious repetition, tut any fairly Imaginative person may supply them l'or himself..

It. may be taken for granted that if the party leaders were actually thinking of committing political hara-kiri as far as' New Zealand is concerned, in the fashion that is being described, they would have given their colleagues here some hint of their intentions, but as a matter of fact these gentlemen are counting confidently on the travellers being in their places when Parliament re-assembles in the ordinary course, in the concluding days of June. There is, however, an undercurrent of feeling even in usually well-informed circles that one of the party leaders may lie induced to offer himself up on the high alter of patriotism, l and return to London to represent, the Dominion in uome exalted capacity\ Putting two ynd two together, the majority of the prophets select .Sir Joseph Ward for the distinction, "namely on account of his closer association with finance, but partly on account of his known liking for the life and ways of the great metropolis. Speculation in regard to the future of the two party leaders has naturally Jed to speculation in regard to the future of the parties and of the National Cabinet. This is not a development to be discussed here and now, but it may be permissible to say that there are several Richmonds ready to enter the fned as Hie saviours of their country when tlfe time and opportunity arrive.