THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3528, 20 May 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

MR MACKENZIE CONFIDENT. k HIS GISBORNE TRIP A PLEASANT ONE. EVIDENCES OF COODWILL TOWARDS THE MINISTRY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE HOUSE MEETS? By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, May 19. “My trip to Gisborne was a very pleasant one,” said the Prime Minister on his return to Wellington. “I met a great many people in the district, and found that the feeling was precisely the same as in other places I have visited, namely the greatest goodwill towards the new Cabinet/’ He came in contact with the story of a man who had formerly belonged, to the Conservative party telling a prominent leader of that party when invited to go to one of their gatherings that the present Prime Minister was good enough for him, and he had no desire to assist in bringing about a change. “I expect,” continued the Premier, “by the time the House meets the effect of that feeling must be evidenced in Parliament.” MR ROBERTSON’S POSITION. WILLINC TO RE-CONTEST THE SEAT. WHAT LABOR SHOULD DO. Bv Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, May 19. Mr Robertson, M-P. for pta'ki. addressing the electors on Friday night, dealt witn politics since the election, principally the part he played in voting out the Ward Administration, and why he went against the Massey party. He considered that he was justified in his actions. Since then he had been subjected to misrepresentations, hostile criticism and abuse. He mentioned that he was elected not to support either Sir Joseph Ward -or Mr Massey, -but stood for Labor. He was uot opposed to Sir ■ Joseph Ward personally. The Ward ‘Government, he considered, had gone for ever. He did not think there would be another election for two years and ahalf, and if Mr Massev then got into power it would_ be because La lor wished it. He thought- the new Cabinet was acting honestly ancl working energetically and was anxious to do its test, and it behoved Labor to support it under the circumstances. Labor was as independent now as the day it entered the House. Labor would fight against monopolies. Nexttime he contested the seat it would be as a Labor representative. If 33 per cent, of the electors signed a requisition for him to stand down he would do so and would contest another election.