MR. FOWLDS RESIGNATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 212, 6 September 1911, Page 8

MR. FOWLDS RESIGNATION.

£N ASTOUNDED HOUSE. 'THE BUSY TONGUE OF RUMOUR. SIGNIFICANCE AND SPECULATION. AS THE SPAHKS FIT UPWARD. (By Telegraph —Parliamentary Reporter) W-ELUNGTON, Tuesday. To say that .Parliament was astounded is but fainllv to convey the impression produrej on 'members this afternoon bailie announcement which fell like a thunderclap, lirst from (he Prime Minister, ami tfirn from the Hon. George Fowlds himself. The ntmirsphere in and around the lobbies during the morning was as peaceful a.nl unpruphetic as ••stability," for never a whisper moved the air to presage the coming portent. It was not till the time approached for the sitting of the House that an electric but vague ■unrest manifested itsejf to eyes watchful for sitrns and signals, but at best it was an expectancy of tilings unknown, for not £i rumour even could the "feel" in tiie lobbies and precincts, ami laU-r in the chamber itself, of something unusual stirring 'be termed. To the casual one the House would strike the senses as ■being fuller than usual, and the members themselves in searching reasons could accuse one another of nothing more than devotion to the country's business.

When the Premier rose, and briefly announced the resignation of 'his colleague, the steadfast surprise of th-e great majority of members was visible and eloquent, and even after the Minister for Education himself had concluded 'his sensational statement, and resigned his seat in Cabinet, the silence continued, and not a word was spoken. In its eloquence and significance this profound silence conveyed more than any spoken words could have conveyed—'the shock was too much for instant utterance, either of regret or tribute, but the genuine regard and respect in which the self-deposed [Minister is held 'by both parties in the House found expression in the lobbies.

The outstanding fact of the resignation from the Ministry of a member who was regarded as one of the strong men of the Cabinet was the keynote and sole note of the first disjointed discussion, but the spring of speculation soon ■winds itself, and nowhere is it loosed with so quick and garrulous a tongue as in this place,of legislators and .political parties. WILL IT BE SOON. What is the meaning of it, asks a timid supporter of the Government, with a mixture of infinite self-concern, and of who should say this is not a pretty hurly-burly of unreasonableness, and an Oppositionist of the outer darkness smiles evilly and passes on. " Tis a parlous world, my masters, but tell me, think you, who will fill the empty seat?" and ears lengthen visibly, while a gleam of ill-concealed hope in sundry eyes ■wrestles heroically to disguise itself and disseinlble in a virtuous modesty. As a inia'tter <>f the most 'honest fact none can tell —that is to say, with due apologies, none of the rabblement, beyond the .secret and portentous conclave, for in Parliament many consider themselves called, but few are chosen for the inner temple of State. And the State—it is the State —a thing of many revelations, but yet more secrets until the elect .]■• i-sesses the sacred portals, and emerges with Lhe prize snugged jealously under hi- arm. WTierefore, the stupefied as.".indmont when that cherished portfolio i iluntarily returned to th; State •, r. -:ix>- it. '"lilt, who is novy* the elect, say you?" c nus C ' insistent clamour alike from North and "South, for this country of Xew Zealand spreads itself politically about a loii/ltude, in which sense, like the definition . f n line, it has length, but not breadth, therefore does the cry whether uttered iti stentorian pugilance or bantered lightly, resolve itself into tli«' one significance North or -Southwhere goes the portfolio? hi u word, the opinion of wise ones declares it will find no fledgling Minister this session. This opinion is fixed in circles that are shrewd and far-seeing, and sundry cogent reasons are urged in support of it. THE CLAIMS OF THE NORTH. On the other hand, it is freely being rumoured, now this first flush of surprise is passing into cognition, that the Government must pick a man before the elections, or at the least declare from which part of the country the new member of Cabinet shall come, and from that point a large current sets due north, and circles widely over the province of Auckland. It must go North, is the solid opinion of the large and important vote in Parliament thai is now absolutely unrepresented in Cabinet. There is no other logical conclusion. The men of the South, though refusing in so many words to deny their own modest, claims to monopolise Cabinet entirely, are abashed into a more or less becoming silence when the question stirs, and mure and more the situation devolves itself into the query. "Which of the Noil hern members will it be?" POSSIBLES AND PROBABLES. The tongue of Rumour is again busying itself. Among the possibles mentioned the names of Messrs Jennings, Mac Donald, and Reed are most frequently heard. The fir.-t-naiiK'd of these three is an old and stau'ieh supporter of the Liberal party, and one who has done yeoman service in the interests of the settlers. Tt is argued that Mr. Jennings is so closely identified with tin; farmer and his needs that in a po-sililp reconstructed Cabinet, especially in view of the repeated rumours of the Hon. T. Mackenzie's probable departure for Home as High Commissioner, tjie member for Taunuirunui may find his metier in a portfolio that would give unreserved pleasure to his many friends in tie' House. The claims of Mr. MacDonald, the Northern Government Whip, are also considered to be prominent, but it i- urged that it would not be fair to the Northern end of the island wore a new •Minister to be selected from an electorate which adjoins one that is already representeil in Cabinet. Against Mr. Vernon Reed it can certainly be contended that he is one of the youngest members in the House, this present being his first Parliament: but. on the other hand, it is hinted that in many respects he should be eminently qualified to fill the vacancy, and at the same time satisfy the just claims of Auckland to a seat in the Cablet. Mr. Reed has, moreover, interested Himself to a considerable extent in educational matters Bince his Participation in Parliament, for which and other

reasons the pendulum' appears to-swing in his direction when candidates for the vacant portfolio of Education are mentioned. Of other Xiamen mentioned is that of Mr. Myers, but Mr. Myers' attitude as | an independent at present seems to preclude him from the list of entrants for the honour of Cabinet rank; while of the Southern names mentioned, Messrs. Sidey, the chairman of the Education Committee, and Mr. Laurenson, the member for Lyttelton, are spoken of among others with claims to consideration. The demands of the North, and especially of Auckland, are, however, considered to be sufficiently paramount when the choice is finally made as to render it extremely unlikely that they will be overlooked.

PORTENT AND PARLANCE. BREAKERS AHEAD. "WATCHER, WHAT OF THE NIGHT!* (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Seporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The significance of the Hon. Geo. Fowlds' defection from the Cabinet is considered to be a matter of serious comment among a not unconsiderafble section, for since his attainment of Cabinet rank in 1806 Mr. Fowlds has been regarded as a Minister whose opinion carried 'big weight among members, as it did, indeed, when he himself was of the rank and file on the benches of the right, for although members did not always see eye to eyei with his views of things and with his aims, his sincerity and undivided honesty of virtue were never questioned, while it was generally acknowledged that he was a man of but one tongue and thai the tongue of persona! and fearless conviction. Members are, in the nature of things, endeavouring to discover some secret and powerful cause for this startling unexpectedness at a time when Parliamentary fortunes are always admitted to 'be more or less critical, and many are the suppositions advanced. Looking over the events of the past week or two it is remembered that Mr. Fowlds has a'bsented himself from several public gatherings held in honour of one or other of his colleagues, and in consequence it is suggested that the titles recently bestowed on Sir Joseph Ward, Sir James Carroll, and Sir John Findlay, have met with his displeasure. It is generally recognised, however, that he has never been in accord with the elaborate defence adopted 'by the Government fn combatting Opposition tactics, his own methods being so different, and tending more to argument on the merits of his attitude of action. The rejection, principally by Government members, of several features in his TownPlanning Bill which he considered to be essential to the principle of the measure was evidently the last straining point. The Prime Minister was absent at the time, and could not, therefore, 'be said to have had any direct responsibility for the occurrence, but it is suggested that Mr. Fowlds, when he saw his bill in danger, appealed to his colleagues to "crack the party whip," and stir up the malcontents, to prevent not only a defeat of the .bill itself, but what he regarded as a Government Teverse. Their failure ■to comply with his wishes, it is argued, was the breaking straw, and the last sort in the shape of an appeal to Sir Joseph Ward also failing, he decided to adopt the course which caused so profound a sensation in the House yesterday afternoon. The possible effect on the Ministry of Mr. Fowlds' retirement is not easily to be gathered from the members of the party, who, it is understood, hnvc been placed under the ban of silence on the Bubject. It would appear, however, that Cn'binet opinion is unperturbed so far as the fighting point is concerned, although many old war horses of Parliament declare that the outlook is teeming- with political breakers. A large view appears to predict the formation of a new party comprised of Radicals, Labourites, and tmperance members, with Mr. Fowlds as" leader, in ■which event the country will be called npon to face a queer political' puzzle, at the forthcoming elections. In arfj; case the horizon is admitted to loom heavily with storm portents, in w' ich no party appears to be able to claim much weather advantage, the position thus precipitated promising more of chaos than anght else so far as the immediate future is concerned. Of one thing there can be no doubt, that in all the days of the Seddon and Ward Ministry the people and Parliament of New Zealand have not been faced with a more difficult or gmvely perplexing situation than is now presented to them. VARIOUS OPINIONS. INTERESTING VIEWS OF MEMBERS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Government members as a body are reticent on the subject of Mr. Fowlds' resignation, and the Leader of the Opposition has also declined to express an opinion on the subject. Some few, however, have made their views public, and they serve to throw considerable light on the position. SOME INTERNAL SECRETS. '"1 am not at all surprised that the Hon. Mr. Fowlds has pulled out," remarked a member, who is intimately acquainted with the inner working of the Ministry. "He is a man of means, possesses high ideals, and his continuance in the Cabinet has been at the cost of the sacrifice of certain personal views. In fact, he has on several occasions said he has been inclined to throw the whole thing up. Several members of the Ministry have told me they would not t>e sorry to be out of politics, everything they io is so misrepresented and distorted. It is a thankless task. It is evident Mr. Fowlds has arrived at this decision during the Prime Minister's absence from the Dominion, and he has taken an early opportunity of announcing it to his chief. You ask me what is the reason that has caused Mr. Fowlds to take this step—well, it may be that to a man of Mr. Fowlds' education and ideas he finds he cannot approve of the actions of certain of his late colleagues, whilst again the suggested profusion of the religious element into certain branches of the Administration is resented. Then, again, the present Government is maintaining an even balance on the liquor question, and this may have met with the disapproval of Mr. Fowlds and his Prohibition friends. The fault of Sir Joseph Ward's Administration, however, is that he has not kept in touch with his party. There have been no caucuses except on rare occasions, the members of the Ministry, with one or two exceptions, have not fraternised in the Whip's room—they have held themselves aloof. There is a feeling, too, that details of local Government have been sacrificed for Imperial Affairs. ,

AN AUCKLANDER ON THE SITUATION. "The resignation of the Han. Mr. Fowlds as a member of the Government was, naturally, a great surprise to me, as I suppose it was to all the members," remarked Mr. A. M. Myers, when questioned on the subject. "While fully recognising that Mr. Fowlds is a man who holds strong opinions in regard to single tax and other important questions, one would have thought that his position in this respect would have been well considered before he accepted office, especially as the statement he has made discloses no fresh developments in this connection to call for the steps he has now taken. I certainly fail to see the justification for his taking seriously the adverse vote in regard to the power conferred on the Governor-in-Council in his Town-planning Bill, as those who supported the amendment made it clearly understood that he could have the Gover-nor-in-Council if he wished it, but the proposed town board in addition, and thai if he preferred the town board they could consent to its being enacted, and that a Minister should preside at its meetings, which would practically amount, in effect, to the same thing as the Governor-in-Council. "Mr. Fowlds presumably thinks the time is ripe for an energetic promulgation of the doctrines that he holds, but I venture to think he is mistaken in believing that any large number of people are in favour of single tax. freetrade, or the other ideals that Mr. Fowlds is generally known to cherish. I still think that at the coming election a majority of members will be returned in favour of the Liberal policy which the present Government has pursued for so many years." FROM AN INDEPENDENT STANDPOINT. "I think the Minister's statement was courageous, and did him great credit," said the Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., interviewed on the subject. "To my mind In he has been a capable administrator and responsible for introducing some new lines of progress into the legislation of the day. and he was unquestionably a factor in making for a higher conception of humanitarianism as expressed in legislation. I question if the people of this country yet realise the possibilities for good in the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act for which he was responsible. "I think it can fairly be said that his resignation has justified the high opinions held by him as a man with political convictions. Now and then certain people express contempt for Parliament and politicians. It does one good to be in tKS political arena when a Minister steps down from Cabinet rank to that of a private member simply because he feels he can best provide the ideals for which he stands in the lesser capacity. It is good for our sectional life to have men who will take such steps as have just been taken by Mr. Fowlds." SPIRIT OF TH!!. TIMES.

"1 think the thing which transcends all others in importance in the statement made by Mr. Fowlds is that it is, to my mind, a true interpretation of the spirit of the times. We are living in a wonderful age, full of changes. That fact is not generally recognised, but Mr. Fowlds' action win draw pointed attention to it. I ca n arrive at no other conclusion than that Mr. Fowlds has taken a right step which, however it may affect his own political future, will be an immense benefit to the cause of progress in this country.A STRONG MAN. "I very much regret to hear that the Hon. Mr. Fowlds has decided to resign," remarked Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Junior Government Whip, when seen at the private hospital last evening. "As a member of the Ministry he was a very strong man, a man of great ability, and a hard worker. He possessed high ideals, and threw his whole soul into the administration of his Departments. I feel convinced that education has lost a very great friend and a capable administrator in Mr. Fowlds. He also took very gTeat interest in, and put a tremendous amount of hard work into hospital management. I think it must be recognised by all that he has exercised a great deal of self sacrifice of his own peronal views on various subjects that he felt strongly On. 7 "So far as the political outlook is concerned," added Mr. Mac Donald, "I am of the same opinion as Mr. Fowlds, that the Government will go to the country with better prospects in view than any party ever had." JOIN THE RADICAL FORCES. "Yes, I think it indicates the formation of a Radical party," declared a legislator of many years' standing. "There has been no consideration shown the present Government in making the announcement at this juncture. You ask me what are the prospects of the formation of a Radical party? Well, there are a dozen members amongst the present Liberals and Independents who would go over, including a Cabinet Minister, two members of the Opposition would also probably join the forces, whilst Sir John Findlay. if he is elected, must also take the attitude, I think. "Mr. Fowlds' resignation will n<s doubt mean the concentration of the Radicals this coming election. This should have the effect of drawing the Opposition and Liberals closer together. The Conservatives must view with alarm the militant attitude of the Radical section of the House and the community. Of course, there is always this fact to be taken into consideration—the Labour Somaliste will not tolerate the single taxer, and I don t think Mr. Fowlds would join another party that did not place single tax in the forefront of its programme. "The session? Yes, it will undoubtedly he shortened by the action the Hon. Mr. Fowlds has taken." LABOUR PARTY'S CONGRATULATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Labour party to-night, the following morion was carried:—"This branch desires to offer to the Hon. G. Fowlds sincere congratulations for the position he has taken up in separating himself from the Ministry, and to record its entire appreciation of the reason for the step taken by the honourable gentleman and wishes him many years of successful political work in future." Three cheers were given for Mr. Fowlds.