THE POLITICAL POSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3462, 29 February 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL POSITION.

GOSSIP FROM WELLINGTON. “ MR MASSEY STILL ON THE BOX SEAT.” ATMOSPHERE NOT CLEARED AT ALL.

EARLY DISSOLUTION CASTED(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Feb'. 28. Tbp result K>f last night’s division on the No-Confidence motion does nob clear the political atmosphere to any extent, and 1 the general opinion seems to be that Mr. Massey is still on the box seat. As a matter of fact, prominent Oppositionists express themselves as really better pleased at the result of the division than if they had secured a small majority and had been dependent upon the votes of the pledge-breakers. It is now almost certain that a majority of members will be prepared to vote with the Reform Party when the House meets for the transaction of business.

-The resignation of Sir Joseph Ward will release from their pledges several men who supported the old Government and who will be disinclined to support the new. " More than one of these men have already indicated that they are quite prepared to give the Reform Party a trial for one Parliament, but, in any case, even if the Reform Party was unable to secure a majority, nothing could prevent a dissolution, seeing that it is quite impossible to get together from the remains of the “Liberal” party a Government strong enough to cany on. The division showed that the Opposition to. the Ward Ministry consisted of 38 straight-out members of the Reform party and one Labor man. The. Government, on the other hand, could muster only 32 straight-out Government supporters, and had to get assistance from four Independents and three Labor men. There are pot many members anxious to face their constituents again, but itmay not be possible to secure a working majority and stability of Government by any other means than a dissolution.