CABINET OF 10 PREDICTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8208, 4 August 1915, Page 4

CABINET OF 10 PREDICTED.

."THE PROBABLES." NEW GOVERNMENT'S PROBLEMS. (From Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) . __^ WELLINGTON,',, August 4. The final statement;. of- the. party leaders with regard ■to ■ the "National Cabinet" ;> negotiations..nis?.expected; ;to be made in the House of Representatives this afternoon. .One gathers an impression that there are • likely to be ten European Ministers, fivo representing each side of the House.

Mr Massey will remain Prime Minis,ter, and it is assumed that he will have associated with, him the Hon... Messrs J. Allen," JW. H. Herries, and A. L. Herdman, and Sir Francis Bell. This arrangement would involve the retirement of tho Hons. Messrs W. Fraser and R. H. Rhodes. The Hon. Dr. Pomare, who is at present a member of the Executive Council representing the Native race, has not a seat in the Cabinet.

It is regarded as probable that Sir Joseph Ward would have with him Mr G. W. Russell, Mr A. M. Myers, and Dr. McNab. The leader of tlie Labour Party (Mr Hindmarsh) would not be likely to accept a seat. Mr Macdonald, Mr Forbes, Mr Sidey, and Mr Han an are other Liberals whose names are mentioned. Anything in the nature of a confident prediction is made perilous by the existence of several factors of uncertain value. The Liberal caucus; undoubtedly would prefer that Mr Myers should not have a seat in the Cabinet, though the party, leader might take a different view. Dr. McNab is one of the Liberal members who declared at an earlier stage of the negotiations. that they would not accept office in a Coalition Cabinet, but then conditions have changed to some extent since that, time The sole certainty, apart from Sir Joseph Ward himself, appears to. be. Mr Russell. .. . . It seems scarcely possible for the Government, without the active co-opera-tion of the Opposition, to deal witlv the financial problems created by the war. Tho additional charge for interest _in consequence of this year's loans is going to amount to something like. £600,000, and the Defence Minister estimates that the war pensions are going to cost nearly £1,000,000 yearly within two years. Ordinary revenue is falling, and apparently it is going to be practically impossible for the Government to borrow at reasonable rates of interest for public works or indeed for any ptvrpose not directly connected with the war. A study of the financial position, indeed, suggests that some means of securing a strong Government with an assured majority is imperative.. ;. ■ .■>: •