THE PRIME MINISTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 1049, 9 December 1911, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER.

INTERVIEWED AT INVEROAR- I GIL. J

STILL HOPEFUL. ' (By Telegraph — Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Last Night. In an .interview last night, Sir Joseph Ward said that tho country must wait the result, of the second ballots before coming to a definite conclusion as to the will of the people. "Notwithstanding the results recorded so far," continued the Prime Minister, "I am firmly convinced that when Jig returns on the second ballot are l.iken, the verdict of the people will be in favour of the. Liberal party continuing to guide the destinies of this counxry." I have no hesitation in saying that our party has had to contend against most unfair and unscrupulous caofcics. Every device has been resorted t-> with the object- of discrediting the Liberal Party, and it is gratifying to find that notwithstanding this, the resulr.s are such ns to inspire one with the belief that the outcome of the second ballots will bo to give a solid working majority to the Government. I regret that a few old friends of the party have not been successful in the fight, particularly those who have so long and so ably assisted in the past to to place on the statute-book progressive measures for the benefit of the dispirited., because I place my confident expectations on the dominant common-sense and the progressive sentiments of the pe<*ple of this couni try, and I look forward with confidence to these views being confirmed when the members of our party who are in the second ballots appeal to the judgment of the-electors next Thursday. They include some of the strongest, ablest, and most progressive men

of tOie Liberal party, and I therefore entertain no doubt that the liberalminded and progressive people in th* electorates where second ballots take place, will stand 'loyally by them. It will be .recognised that our candidates who are now in the second ballots have had to contest their elections against two opposing forces I with nothing in common ,yet dinsinct in aims and policy. Where the majorities recorded by tQie two. or more against them, .if in some cases substantial and spread amongst those in favour of the Liberal party, whatever differences may exist between the two progressive parties in this country, in their common interest it will, I believe, oe found that they will unite and solidly support the candidate of the Liberal party."