SHROUDED IN MYSTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3544, 7 June 1912, Page 5

SHROUDED IN MYSTERY.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION’. SUGGESTIONS AND CONJECTURES IF THE PREMIER BECOMES HIGH COMMISSIONER. WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE EG MONT SEAT? By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, June 6. The political situation is shrouded in mystery. Every day brings iotrub a new batch of rumors, suggestion** and conjectures, politicians gradually warming up to the position as the session gets nearer- The Opnositionists are certainly in good heart. The Times says that after being in a state of political oblivion for close fin a quarter of a century they at last see a chance of graspinn- the reins of office, and they are leaving no stone unturned to reach the desired goal. As- to Mr. Massey’s .prospects of getting a majority, it would appear from his attitude at the present moment that jhe is more sanguine on that point than when the last- session '.oneluded. The members of the party are evidently looking forward to tho votes of Hon J. A. Millar and Messrs. Sidey and Clark to be cast an their favor. If Mr. Mackenzie goes home as High Commissioner the Egmont seat is looked upon as a sure thing for the Opposition. Th'ere va-i some talk before the Reform caucus met, the Times adds, of trying to bring about a coalition between certain sections of Ministerialists and Oppositionists. The idea was to try to induce Mr. Massey to accept the Speakership of the Upper Hotise. and to throw the Radical members of the present Cabinet overboard in the interests of a coalition Ministry. _in which, some of the prominent moderate members of the Liberal party would have a place- A prominent member of the Opposition party interested himself in this scheme, and it is understood his approaches mere favorably received in some Quarters. Mr. Massey, bv Ins masterful attitude in Caucus, rendered any suggestion of the kind impracticable, and ho showed his master hand throughout. So far as the Question of coalition is concerned, says the Dominion, it seems pretty certain that ere long there will be an understanding between a section of the moderate members on tiie Liberal side cf the House and the Reform Party. The defeat of the Mackenzie Ministry, following on the diserabarment- of the Ward Government, will probably lead to a readjustment of parties, which will strengthen the ranks of the Reform Party and enable it to give effect to a sound and progressive policy. There are a number of members on the Ministerial side of the House who are in agreement with the Reform i'crty programme on practically all the vital issues, and some of these least woab] prefer to see a strong moderaio party in office rather than run tho risk of a series of changes, with tho consequential scheming and plotting for p:ace and the possibility the affairs of the country in the en-u being placed at the mercy- of a small body of extremists.