The Government Party.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 264, 2 October 1902, Page 3

The Government Party.

Wellington, September 30. At a caucus of the Government Party to-day, Sir J. G. Ward, on behalf of the party, expressed regret at the retirement of Mr Oarncross, Government Wiiip, and stated that during the time that gentleman had been in Parliament he had not onlj made lasting friends on his own of the House, but had commanded the respect and confidence of those opposed to him. Several other members endorsed these sentiments. Mr Oarncross expressed regret at the severence of ties which had been bo pleasant to him. The Acting-Premier brought up the question of New Zealand being represented at the South African Exhibition, and the caucus expressed a strong opinion that the colony should be represented there. Major Steward, as the oldest member of the party, expressed his congratulattons to the ActingPremier for the way in which he had conducted the business of the session, and also paid a high compliment to the Minister for Public Works and Native Minister for the valuable work they had done, remarks which were generally endorsed by the party. The Acting-Premier referred to the financial position of the colony, and gave the party an assurance of the fact that all requirements were provided for for some time to come. He also expressed the opinion that a considerable portion of the last loan should be -floated in the colony, and congratulated members on the fact that they were to a very large extent independent of the London money market. He also referred to the question of the Midland Railway debenture-holders, and said that it was possible that at this session a proposal would be submitted to Parliament to enable a settlement to be carried out which would be alike satisfactory to the debenture-holders and honourable to the colony.