THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 57, 6 March 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

AND THE (HOST SESSION BTJMOUB. TO WHAT ENDt The political situation in the nature of tilings continues to attract a good deal of speculative attention. The fact that tile present administration will retire from office and that a new Cabinet is about to be constructed from among the members of the dominant party is of itself sufficient to keep the edge of interest in politics keen. But during the last day or two a rumour has been in circulation to the effect that the reconstruction will probably be followed by another short session next month, and the Canadian precedent of 1858, quoted by Mr Allen duriaj the adjournment debate last Thursday, is advanced diligently as a proper example to follow. Apart from the expense to the country of summing Parliament . again, next month, there is also the argument against such a course that no public service would be served by it. The recent trial of strength between tbe two great parties in tbe poputaT Chamber resulted undeniably in the defeat of the Opposition and the maintenance of the status quo. And although the Ministry is to be recasted during the recess, the new one will still be formed from among the party whose policy principles retains the confidence of the House. It will in no sense be a coalition Ministry so far as the Opposition are concerned. Tbe only apparent argument, therefore, in favour of another short session prior to the usual meeting of Parliament in June is a party one, in the hope of forcing an early dissolution. This, on the faos of recent happenings, is hardly one which the country could be expected to endorse.

A representative of this paper sought an expression of opinion on the subject from Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., this morning. "Well," said the member for Auckland East, "I do not consider the present situation is governed by the Canadian precedent referred to by Mr Allen. From authorities that the Premier quoted in the House it appears to me that after the reconstruction of Cabinet has taken place it would be quite constitutional for the new Ministry to carry out their executive duties until the usual time that Parliament meets. Is it not to be presumed that the personnel of the new Ministry will be obtained from amongst the members of the party that has already had the assurance that they possess the confidence of the majority of the House? What good is expected to be achieved from another short session of Parliament between now and June* Wbat more could be obtained than the confidence of a majority of the House, and has not the party whose representatives wiD comprise the new Cabinet already obtained it?"