THE POLITICAL CRISIS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10520, 8 January 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CRISIS

A Vi C H RISTC HURC H R EPO RT,

MB, ISITT'S POSITION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

OH-RISTOHUBjOH, Last Night.

Statemciuts were published locally that all kinds- of intriguing are taking place to induce members of the Ojpposition' to abjure their allegiance, and to join the ranks of the Government followers-, atad that Mr L. M. Isitt had been the intermediary of a tempting offer to a prominent member of the Opposition, who Was offered nothing less than- the position of Mimiilster of Railways in- the recontstriucited Oaibinet. Inquiries made inCBiristchurch. to-day in regard to the ■statements .&hjprwj,that thej<; arose out of/ harmless jskes :; miade;. without any significance whatever, arid without the slightest semblance or pretence of authority from Sir Joseph Ward. , Mr Isitt, interviewed, stated that he did not have a conversation with any member of the Opposition- that could, by the wildest' fligjhft of imagination, be. construed- into an offer of a. place in the Ministry.

Sia" Arthur Guinness stated that hi® conversaition with Mr P. M. B. Fisher was s. : iraiply a jocular aiStusion a.s : td'.wlitioh Qvbi'net Mr Fisher.would be incHwed to join. • '.. . .Mr Fdsiher stated that there, was nothing in, "it- No offer whatever wasmade. -

Referring to his; attendan'je at -tie cvrucms of GcvenKme-nt members, Mr Isdtt states thlat at Sir Joseph Ward's invitation, he bad" .attended the caucus held in OhiTis"toh.u.rcb I'ais.t week. He felt it a duty to himsellf, bis constituents, and the- country that he. as an atrdent Liberal., shouUd

exp: . i i-'s opinion as to what ought to bo 'lone in. the present, circumstances. He did not vote on any proposition, Defore the caucus, and hi* drew th>? ,t;at tention. of those present to the fact that, he was. there ais 'an. J.Vidtpem.denft. At the same time, he as-sowed Sir Joseph. Ward tliat the latter might rely upon, the fact that lie (uVlir Is. ; itt) would do all irii his power to keep the Opposition out, while still re'tainung absolute freedom from amy pOtedge to'either Sir Joseph or 1 the Govemmieai.t. He wi-sh-ed to state deftniteUly that he was not in Sir Joseph Ward's, confidence. He did not at present kraow what course Sir Joseph, Ward intended to take. He had not the remotest idea a-s to whom Sin- Joseph, intended to take '.\aiio hu< MhrLsta-j n- keep out. Any opilnioiii he might hoA was like the opinion of the man ait the street corner. It was based simply on his own