A LIBERAL FORECAST.

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

A LIBERAL FORECAST.

RECONSTRUCTION NOT YET CONSIDERED. WHO CAN TAKE THE LEADERSHIP? Some interesting views on the political situation were expressed by a prominent member of the Liberal Party in an interview this evening. He stated definitely that the question of reconstruction had not yet been formally considered by the Party, but he anticipated that some aspects pi that matter would be submitted to it before the members departed for thenhomes. No official notification had yet been given of a caucus meeting but. it was probable that one would be held to-morrow. . The qualifications of various members for the leadership of the Party had been discussed among groups of members, but, so far as lie could ascertain, there was no general agreement upon the selection of any one of them. There was no doubt in his own mind that Sir Joseph Ward _ would, retire from the position of Prime Minister, for whatever difficulties might be experienced in choosing a successor who would be aceptable to the Party, it was impossible for Sir Joseph Ward to withdraw from the attitude lie had adopted! and to allow Mm to retain the leadership of the Party. Such speeches as that of Mr Robertson were a sufficient obstacle to such a course of action.

He did not anticipate that Sir Joseph Ward would retire into the rank and file of the Party.. It was more probable that he would accept a seat in the Cabinet in an honorary position, retaining, possibly, the portfolio of Postmaster-General. A theoretical examination of the qualities of members who had been suggestedl as likely to succeed to the Leadership of the Liberal Party was not likely to be yery satisfactory. No one could say what a man would achieve' in the position until he had been tried. For instance Mr Seddon’s elevation to the Cabinet- was ridiculed at the time and anyone who had ventured to predict that he would' prove the greatest prime minister in the history of New Zealand would have been clased as a madman. The reconstruction of the administration would, he believed, be an extensive one, though he had no authoratative information as to which, of the Ministers would be replaced. Any arrangement in regard to leadership that tv as made must be a tentative one, and the new administration would, he assumed, devote the recess to the task of putting its house in order in readiness to meet Parliament in June. It would be for tlie new' leader to consolidate the Liberal forces in readmes for the attack that was certain to be made upon them when the House assembled for the ordinary session. His owni opinion was that no announcement regarding reconstruction proposals would, be made before the end of the presnt sssion. The personnel of the new administration would be announced within a few weeks—certainly, he thought, before the end of the financial year. It was very probable that during the recess a campaign throughout the country would’ be undertaken. Possibly that would be carried out by the new 1 Ministry, so that its members would have an opportunity of acquainting themselves with all parts of the Domin_ ion and of presenting themselves to the people.