THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3588, 30 July 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

REFORM PARTY IN A “UNIQUE”

POSITION.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S OPINION.

OPTIMISTIC AS TO “LIBERALS’ ” FUTURE PROSPECTS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, July 29. Interviewed this morning concerning the present political situation, Sir Joseph Ward said there was no doubt that the present extraordinary position iu regard to the politics of t-lic country could only he finally adjusted by the people of the Dominion themselves. To discuss the position from a party standpoint revealed a peculiar yet clear .aspect, inasmuch as a party representing the minority of the votes in New Zealand was the party in power to-day. That was undeniable, and it constituted a unique political position, without. parallel, so far as the knowledge served him. in his opinion such an unnatural state of affairs could not continue long unless the people, thbmsek-es desired it. In the meantime, the representatives of the people had the power to either maintain or alter the existing conditions. He believed that majority rule in New .Zealand would continue and that majority rule by the voice of the people alone would enable the country to be constitutionally governed. Sooner or later,' therefore, the will of the people would have to he sought and obtained.

Asked his opinion of the all-impor-tant division a fortnight ago, Sir Joseph replied that naturally one regretted to see men who were returned as supporters of the Liberal party crossing over to belli the party’s opponents at the time of a political crisis. . No man worth his salt in politics or any other walk of life objected to being beaten in a fair fight, but it was quite a different thing when the party was defeated with the assistance of those who were returned as its friends and supporters. He was not making any personal complaint against any individual member, but there were some who would have to make good their actions in the ripeness of time before their constituents.

Sir Joseph, leaves hv the Main Trunk express for Wellington to-night, and will be present at the opening of Parliament on Wednesday. He declined to discuss the position in regard to the Leadership of the Opposition, but spoke optimistically of the future prospects of the Liberal party.;