PRESETTED TO THE HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 165, 11 July 1912, Page 6

PRESETTED TO THE HOUSE.

NEW CABINET TAKES OFFICE A BAPTISM OF FIRE. SOME TRENCHANT CRITICISBE. PRIME MINISTER IN DEFENCE. (By —Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The House met this afternoon for the ' first time with the members of the Reform party occupying the Government benches, and with Mr. Massey at the head of his colleagues in the Treasury seats. When the new Prime Minister rose to announce that Cabinet had been formed and that most of the new Ministers had been sworn in. he was very heartily applauded by both sides of the House. MR. MASSEY'S ANNOUNCEMENT. "1 want honourable members to understand that the portfolios allocated are subject to readjustment later on, and that up to the present several portfolios are yet to be allotted," said Mr. Massey, who then asked the House for an adjournment till Wednesday, July 31, in order that the new Ministers might have an opportunity of acquainting themselves with departmental details and of preparing a programme. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, on behalf of the Opposition, took the opportunity of congratulating the Prime Minister on the formation of his Cabinet, and assured him of receiving every reasonable assistance in the carrying on of the business of the country. He was quite sure they would all unite in maintaining the bigh traditions of the House. (Loud apphinse.) ANOMALIES LN THE CABINET. Sir Joseph Ward, in adding his congratulations, expressed the opinion that no one on the other side of the House so deserved the distinction of Leader as did Mr Massey. He went on to say that be heard Mr. Massey's statement regarding the readjustment of portfolios with a good deal of pleasure. He did not believe in. the spirit of provincialism prevailing in this country national spirit should be more widely inculcated, but as a representative of the people he regretted to find that Southland, Westland, Marlborough, Nelson, Taranaki, and "the East Coast were not represented in the new Cabinet. He also regretted to find that the city of Auckland, the city of Ohrisfcehurch, and the city of Dunedin were unrepresented. He congTatulated the city of Wellington upon the attention paid to it, for there, where the representatives of the people spent four or five, months of the year, he found that three Cabinet seats "had been allotted. In acknowledging the ability of the men who formed the Cabinet he would like to call attention to the fact that one poor solitary leaseholder sat in the midst of a Cabinet composed of those who had so long urged the freehold system and the freehold system only. The Prime Minister: Option of tenure. Sir Joseph Ward: I have always been an optional freeholder myself."' DIFFICULTIES OF THE SITUATION. He went on to congratulate the member for Wellington Central on the distinction accorded him, but pointed out that, as in the past, attention was called to tie varied lives of the Ministry. He now had the privilege, as a member of the Opposition, to call attention to the same feature in the present Government. In congratulating Mr. Herdman upon attaining the blue riband of the legal profession in the Dominion, he expressed confidence that the appointment must have been made with the concurrence of the distinguished lawyer who now tilled the position of Minister for Internal Affairs. In his (the speaker's) opinion it was not in the best interests of the ■country that any portfolio calling for direct contact with the people's representatives should be discharged by any Minister in the other Chamber of the Legislature, pointing out that, in his own. time a transfer was made of the portfolio of Internal Affairs for that reason. No matter how suitable, important and able a man might be, it was not according to fitness that a portfolio controlling the electoral department should be held outside of the people's Chamber. Again, why was there only one farmer in the new administration? What about the interests of the great farming class being represented. There were instances of the difficulty experienced in the formation of a Ministry. He failed also to see where any direct representation of Labour appeared in the Cabinet. Sir Joseph, in referring to the factors that had brought about the change of Government said he wished to ssty notning, except tSat he had no sympathy with those who ihad changed sides. He believed, however, that the only judges to decide on that matter were the people who jefcnxned the members to Parliament. He did not believe that any unaastaral condition that arose in Parliament could maintain sway for ajiy length of time without their masters anil mistresses saying what party was ruling by a majority. In conclusion he was sure the present Parliament was not likely to descend from -Sic high place that 'had been set up by its predecessors. LABOUR'S VIEWS. Mr. Veifceh (Wanganui) also extended his congiatulartaons to the new administration, which should be given reasonable time and opportunity to show what it could do. After referring to the weak farming element in the Cabinet, he went on to express the opinion that the life of tie new Government depended entirely on wietiher it wae prepared to place progressive rational proposals before the House. If it did so, he was quite sure it would continue in power for a considerable time. No government ■that was not democratic could exist in New Zealand. He trusted the Minister for Labour would turn- his attention to the very serious industrial problems of quiring attention. He could -rely on the support of the Labour section to that extent if he placed some necessary industrial measures on the Statute Book. When the present Government went out be trusted the one •winch succeeded it "woald be more progressive and demo•<3»*3Cj for he firmly bebeved thai the interesfe -oCtbe tend ftte*of'€h»co«m4xry "gonid zseeetr Ijpmuiiif jvluil idBHUTjdJc lepveeeata&aes SeM^Boswet:

OWED TO PLEDGE-BREAKERS. The member for Grey Lynn expressed the intention to wait until the saw what the Prime .Minister brought forward in I the shape of humanitarian legislation. If the House went to the country again! he felt confident that the Liberal party would return to its own, plus, he -hoped, a fair proportion of Labour representa-1 tives. Speaking of pledge-breaking, Mr. Payne asked the House to remember what had been said about it last February, and how the charges then made had 'Keen disproved. -Now what die! they find at the present time? Could j not the present Government be charged, | •vith irrefutable justice, that it owed its! position to pledge-breakers? Could there be any more flagrant pledge-break- j ing than was done 'by those men who had for so long been "supporters of the Liberal party? The Labour party had! nothing to do with the Liberals, but it had at the same time to be recognised that the 'Liberal party was the one at present to lead the country along progressive lines, and the progressive Radi-cal-Liberal section and the Labour people -would have to work side by side in order to combat the Toryism which was associated with the Prime Minister and -his colleagues. DEGRADATION OF "POLITICAL LOYALTY. .Mr. Hanan, in congratulating (lie members who hail received portfolios, expressed himself strongly on those members of the Liberal party who had given their support to the other side. There! had been a violation of principles and a degradation of political loyalty that were a disgrace to the public life oi the country. He declared he was satisfied | that if an appeal were made to the j people of Xew Zealand on the morrow the Government now sitting on the Treasury benches -would not tie returned with a mandate to continue in office. APOSILES OF cwjsekv"atism. Mr. G. W. Russell declared that so far as the members of the retiring Government were concerned, they were leaving office without the slightest feeling of vindictaveness for what toad taken place. Discussing at ifcngCh the constitution of the Ministry, 'he said that the present Government was constituted of the good old Conservative party that had opposed the -Lfberal measures of the past twenty-one years: They had been assured that there 4tad "been an entire change in the constitution of the party and its aspirations. He pointed out that every member of the Cabinet, with two exceptions, was a member of the old Conservative party. There -was absolutely no representation of the younger generation of the Reform party— Liberals, or whatever the Prime Minister called them —excepting the Hon. Mr. Fisher and the Hon. Dr. Pomare. Proceeding, the member for Avon traced the association of the new Prime Minister, the Hons. Allen, Henries, Herdman. Fraser, Rhodes, and Bell with the old Conservative regime. Not one of these hon. gentlemen had been elected under recent years under the banner of the so-called Reform party. Where, in the Cabinet, were the members of the new Reform party Mr. Wilson; Behind them. Mr. Russell: Precisely, .and that is ■where they were meant to be from the time they' were put there. (Interruptions.) Those hon. gentlemen who thought they were going to form the rank and file of a new progressive party have been tripped up. (Renewed interruptions.! The only representative of the modern development in the party was the Hon. Mr. Fisher, who a few years ago had started a campaign throughout the country because the Liberal party was not progressive enough. Mr. Anderson: That is why he joined the Reform party. Mr. Russell: 'Where, are the representatives of the small farmers? Government Supporters: Over here. Mr. Russell: They have been left out. Government Chorus: No, no. Mr. Russell: They are not in "the 31in-is-try. Government Chorus: Yea they are. Mr. Russell: I am sorry that my friend, the genial, corrugated gentleman, the member for Wairara-pa, is getting so excited. (Laughter.) Proceeding, Mr. Russell quoted the announcement of the member for Wairarapa that the large landowners were prepared to accept tie policy laid down by the Reform party. Taranaki, a laud of small farmers, had not been given representation, whilst the failure to include Mr. Hine after the emphasis he h;io given the Hine charges was the basest ingratitude. (Laughter.) The member for Avon went on to contend that the 6mal] farmers of the country -were not represented in the new Cabinet, seveneighths of which comprised the old apostles of Conserva.fcism. LIBERAL AND PROGRESSIVE. Mr. Vigor Brown pointed out that there were twenty-four owners of land in Wairoa, Cook and Waiapu counties, through which the East Coast railway was passing, who owned over a quarter of a million acres of land. This, he said, afforded tie new Tory Government a splendid opportunity to settle thousands of settlers on the land, and he urged that the large estates and native land through which the line -was passing should be cut up for the people. Mr. Harris declared that he could not allow the statements from the other side of the House to go unchallenged. Xbe Reform party was 38 strong. Mr. Russell: Then how did you get 53.0 these benches? (Laughter.) Mr. Harris: "I am talking about the original 33 adherents." It was, he went on to say, duo to the solidity of the party, immense love for their leader, and the confidence they had in him that they had reached .the Treasury Benches. He eulogised the new Prime Minister, whom ■he regarded as second to none in New Zealand. They were more Liberal than those on tie other side. Look at them; did they look like Tories? (Laughter.) They were going to bring down a programme of Liberal progressive measures. 31 Hn.nan: You won't. Mr. Payne: Some hope for my bills yet. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Harris, indicating the member for Avon, declared there were very few on hds side who owned. 66,000 acres. ' Mr. Payne: How much have those be- ; hind you? Fifty-two own a million acres. DISGRACE TO PARLIAMENT. Mr. Atmore expressed the opinion that if another appeal were made to the country there would be returned a more democratic party tnan that at present on the other side of tiie House. One had misgivings, he- said, when on» looked at fie new Government and heard them preach a Liberal programme. Would they increase the graduated tax to show their protestations of Liberalism? Re-femng-to the recent no-confidence debate he declared thai the divdskm was one uoi the most disgraceful mihe .history o± saaiy ■Barßaaneot. (DJsKenfc") Ha-«aos£fc« «gred 3; a iwantjos offence (for anen Xα fiheJi-^ K^Ses>r^O; " a '^ a?se^a^

ment of fifteen years' service, to throw over the traditions of a lifetime of Liberafisni through personal petty pique, to I come down and vote out men who had. I not had a chants to show wha-t they i could do. He did not want to say much ion this head, but the men who had been voted out had been allied to these men I to their disadvantage. If some had been ! put out years ago. the Liberal party would have .been much stronger than it was to-day. (Chorus: Hsar. hear.) Mr. (i. Laurenson ><iifl he had had many occasions to differ with Mr. Masser and from time to time exchanged couri tesies -with him. He had all along recogi nised him as an honest and sincere i fishter. At that juncture he considered it would be improper to strike a discordant note, but when the ne»v Prime Mm- ! ister brought down hi.< policy there would ! be no keener critic than himself. (Applause.) Mr. Colvin, who also ter.dcrr-d congratulations, expressed the opinion that with another election they would see the Liberal banner flying with a larger majority than ever. PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. The Prime Minister, in reply, acknowledged the kindly and courteous sentiments which had been extended to himself, and agreed that all should endeavour to unite to jittoinpt something for the welfare of the country. There was -i j term used to which he objected—it was j the term Toryism, and he. would r'-mind the hon. member for Napier in particular of the. adage concerning people in gla>s I houses and stone-throwing. As to the [ member for Avon, he. Mr. Massey) I maintained that he and his friends wero I no more Conservative than the hon. i 'gentleman was Liberal. (Ministerialists! I hear, hear.) There, were no more liberal, i broad-minded, and patriotic men in this j country than Sir Wm. Russell and the ; late Hon. Wm. Rolle.ston. Very few members of the old Conservative party remained in the House, for the party went ont of existence long before he himself entered the House. Mr. Massey also contested the charge that the small farmer was not represented. lie himself represented the small farmer, for he was one to-day, and had been one all his life. After twitting Mr. Russell with being the owner of broad acres the Premier went on to say that their policy would be laid before the House in a few weeks, and in it would be found liberal, progressive, and democratic proposals, and if the hon. gentlemen on the other side were liberal, progressive, and democratic they wonid not have any occasion to find fault DEFENCE OF CABINET. In reference to the question of terri- i torial representation in Cabinet, he de- : clared that, instead of eight or ten, it would be necessary to have 20 members in a. Cabinet if such considerations were brought in. He wanted to say that every district in New Zealand would have jus-1 tice done it, whether represented in Cabinet or not. The Premier, reverting to the contention that the farmers were riot ' represented, pointed to 'Ms. Herries, Mr. Fraser, and Mr. Rhodes, as all being associated with farming interests, and clinched his argument by saying, "and Dr. Pomare is aiso a "small farmer." (Lond laughter from the Opposition benches.) He also declared that the interests of Labour would also be represented, for the Minister for Labour was himself a worker in the very best sense of the "word. **I have ernerv sympathy for the genuine aspirations of Labour, and as long as I occupy tbe position on the Treasury benches as Minister for Labour Labour will have a square deal," said Mr. Massey. OPINION OF THE COUNTRY. As to the allocation of portfolios, they intended not only to readjust certain portfolios, but also to readjust the portfolios at present under the control of the Minister for Internal Affairs, so that the contentious portfolios would go under j the control of a member of the House of | Representatives. "1 have my own ideas as j to the opinion of the country concerning the affairs of the last few" days," continued the Prime Minister, in reference to the criticisms on the subject of pledgebreaking, "but I .am not afraid of a general election"—pointing to a huge j pile of telegrams on the desk before him. he added, "If this is any indication of the country's oj.inion." Mr. Isitt: I have also got a big heap of telegrams. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey: There ie the opinion of the country, I do not know how many there are; I have been told 3000. Mr. Isitt: Oh, well, I withdraw. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Massey: And they are coming in at the rate of about a hundred an hour. THEIR EARNEST DESIRE. He concluded by saying that whether their term was long or short it would be the earnest desire of the Government I to see that the people of the conntrv would be able to say when they left office that they did their best to live up to the -high positions they occupied, and I that they had done their best in the in- I terests of the country. (Hear, hear.) The House subsequently adjourned till July 31. CATION OP PORTFOLIOS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The final allocation of portfolios was made to-night, and is as follows: — HON. W. V. MASSEY: Prime Minister. Minister of Lands, Minister of Agriculture. Minister for Labour. Commissioner of State Forests, Minister in charge of Lands for Settlement. Valuation, and Scenery Preservation Departments. Private secretary. Mr V. T>. Thompson: assistant, Mr F. W. Furby. HON. J. ALLEN: Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence, Minister of Education, Minister in charge of Land and ■Income-tax Departments and State Guaranteed Advances Office. Private secretary, Mr F. G. Matthews. HON. W. H. HERRT.ES: Minister for Railways, Native Minister, and Minister in charge of Racing Permits. Private secretary, Mr L. E. Johnson. HON. W. FRASER: Minister of Public Works, Roads and Bridges, Minister of Mines, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Minister in charge of Public Buildings and Domains. Private secretary, Mr J. H. McAlister. HON. A. L. HERDMAN: AttorneyGeneral, Minister of Justice. Minister of Stamp Duties, Minister in charge, of Police Prisons and Crown Law including Drafting) and Public Trust Departments. Private secretary, Mr E. N. G. Poultoii. HON". F. M. B. FISHER: Minbtpr of Customs,.JSEnister of Marine, Minister in •charge of -Inspection of Machinery, Advertising, Government- .Printing- and Stafionery, legislative, State "Sire <fent TiflMmuwm, Eteefanai, TEtfirmsl

Department. Private secretary, Mr. A. Hall. HON. H. D. BELL, K.C.: Minister of Internal Affaire. Minister of Immigration, and Minister in charge of Audit Office, Registrar-General, High Commissioner Museum. Friendly Societies and Laboratory Departments. Private secretary, Mr J. W. Black. HON. R. H. RHODES: PoetmasterGeneral and Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Public Health, Minister in charge of Hospitals, Charitable Aid and Mental Hospitals Departments. Private secretary, Mr W. Crow. HON. DR. POMA&E: Member of the Executive Council representing the Native Race, and in charge of Maori Councils, Cook and Other Islands Administration, and Tourist and Health Resorts (including Rotorua Sanatorium and Hospital). Private secretary, Mr \V. W. Poison. Mr Grocott. formerly private secretary to the Hon. J. A. Hanan, is being held in reserve in the event of another Minister 'being appointed. It fe probable that either Mr Hine or Mr Guthrie will be selected. WELLINGTON PRESS OPINIONS. (T.y Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. "There are two well-to-do tiers in the Ministry, two practising lawyers, three men of independent nwan-, and one carpet-bagger.' is the summing-up of the '• New Zealand Times." "If past performances go for anything" (the paper continues) "the Ministry is a ! curiosity, for by it is crystallised a polii tical policy rejected for a generation jat the polls, and repudiated by a major- ; ity of tile people at the last election. It is clear that Mr. Massey left geographical considerations out of his calculation, In hazarding the ■clamant protests of Auckland newspapers, he has shown some courage, and we believe some wisdom. His duty was to get together the men he considered best suited for the various positions, and take the responsibility for criticism in this particular respect. There is a poor representation of the farming community in the Cabinet; indeed, the complete elimination of men representing the most important agricultural and pastoral divisions of the Dominion is a great surprise. Mr. Massey used to point am accusing finger at Liberal Ministries, and demand to know where, the farmers were. In every one of them the.re. were four times as many jreuuine farmers as there are in his own. For a man whoso, ideals -jcotp not his party's ideal?, who would not join a freehold Cabinet, who ' had not a vote for sak-.' and who had a yearning sympathy with the aspirations of labour, Mr. Fisher had done extremely wHL Motor-cars, -which swarmed over the Fdnrataka from Wairarapa to hrlp Mr. Fisher to get the votes of Labour to bring about some of the reforms which ■win both <i°.s,ire, did their work to perfection. It is merely a coincidence, of course, that the big land-holders, for whom Mr. FisheT and his revered leader hold no briefs, supplied the petrol with ■which -to propel so great a democrat to the heaven of office."

A SYDNEY VXEW. 1

I no BARGAINING for OFFICE. (Received 11.10 sum.) STHN'EY. this day. The '•'Daily Telegraph' , says that solidity seems to be the distinguishing character of the new Government of Xew Zealand. Mr. Massey has formed his Cabinet from his own party. Ethically that is a good sign, since it proves that there was no bargaining for office. How it. turns out politically is what we have to see. LIBERAL PARTY PARALYSED. TOO MAXT RHACTIOXAJIIES. HOX. GEO. FOWLDS' OPINION. I The Hon. George Fowids returned to Auckland yesterday from Dargaville. Seen by a "Star"' representative, the exMinister remarked that what had taken place was inevitable, and fully bore out his diagnosis of the position when he leit the Ministry last Sept-ember. The Liberal party had become paralysed by the presence in its ranks of a number of reactionary Tories, whose only attachment to Liberal principles consisted in the help which the party name g>ve them in securing their election. Their proper place was with the Conservative party. There was still a number of such members that he expected would gravitate into supporters of the new Government. He did not think the cause of progress would suffer any permanent inI jury by the temporary occupation of the Treasury benches by the Tory party- It would give the Radical and Progressive elements in the country an opportunity of getting together into a solid phalanx, with all the reactionaries and privilege holder? in the other camp. The continuance of the Liberal party in power for j over 21 years meant that many of the ! young people had become entitled to the franchise in recent years, and had no recollection of what Tory rule meant. j Nothing but experience would teach them the hard fact which their fathers learned in the .school of adversity. Another important matter, which he had'frequently referred to, both in the House, and on the platform, was this: It was a positive menace to the well-being- of a country when they had an Opposition composed entirely of men who had never had any experience of the responsibility of office. He had frequently heard Mr Massey and other prominent members of his party advocating a certain course, or condemning a certain course of action which was positively wicked, and could only be excused because the men had no experience of the position they were dealing with. As long a= Captain Russell was leader of the Opposition the Government of the day always had him to appeal to as a man who had held responsible positions in the Government, and his ready acknowledgement that the course suggested was impossible, was always a sufficient foil to the remarks of his more hotheaded and inexperienced supporters. For many years past, however, not a single member of the Opposition had had any experience oi the responsibilities of office. Questioned as to what he expected to happen in the immediate future., Mr. Fowlds replied that he saw no reason why the Masspy party should not remain m power until t.lve end of their terra. The United Labour pa-rty would in tinmeantime draw into its ranks all live Radicals, and Progressives in every walk of life, and thr , general election of 1014 wonH teil it.- la!-. , .Speaking of the new ifinietry, Mr. . FoivWs.-ea.i(i-!he-*hoaign*-3£r. Maesey-hsd >< setected -the ; hr*ut»iTnnitnrtnfH iioJtr -was-et ■ Sis disposal, iu*fc to isHc <$£ 2b as a [ CaSites-ot aifle men. Tsa»-etaaaifEinig' «af

able men in the Ministry, but that was as much as could' be said. Hβ was glad that Mr. Jas. Allen tad been given the portfolio of Education, since the member for Bruce was "the soundest man on education, from his point of view, in the Massey party. '•The new Mnistry is decidedly piebald," added Mr. Fowlds. '•and Mr. Massey has had to take in Mr. Fisher, -whose political convictions on the land- question arc those of • a leaseholder." Mr Fowlds has jnsfc returned from a Northern campaign in support of the aims and objects of the United Labour party. At both Dargaville and Tβ Ko- j puru he addressed good audiences, and i resolutions were passed endorsing the party's platform.

LABOUR'S VIEW.

NOTHING mtxsb: expected. (By Telegraph.-—Osro Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. •-\\> never got anything from t-ha-t class before, and 1 don't suppose we -will get more now," was Mr. R. Pemple's brief criticism of the new Ministry. -"Mr. Massry as Minister of Labour, will bo of little use to us. We don't want him, ami are prepared ±o keep up our end. I suppose we ■roll be up against him all along: It is not to be expected that Labour can receive anythin? from him or the party he represents. We have to fight him, and we are prepared to do it.* , Mr. K. Howard, representing the local Socialists, said that the Conservative Ministry did not appeal to them. His criticism of the new Minister of Labour ■was: "Well, Sir. Maesey most be looking for trouble when he takes up that portfolio. Labour won't get much, I'm afraid." Mr- G. R. Whiting, » prominent mrrmoer of the Trades Council, said that-, in his opinion, the workers <soiild not expect to obtain progressive legislation from the Minister of Labour. The workers might get a surprise in that respect, and, if so, it would be a. very agreeable one. The workers had obtained promises of La-bouT legislation from the old Ministers, but they, if not directly, are at least indirectly, in -touch with Labour leaders in the Dominion. Up to the present time that could not be- said of Mr. Massey. The workers would keep a special watch on the Government's actions in regard to the WaiM and Reefton strikes, the Defence Act, the land question, including dealing , -with Omen lands and reform of the Legislative Council. The promise made by Mr. Massey in regard to proportional representation was the one redeeming feature. As II Massey mas pledged to proportional representation, there should be no difficulty in the -say of a. reform •which had been advocated ior years being carried into effect. The Labour party did not expect to-obtam any progressive legislation: from the Government, and. having failed to obtain it from a Liberal Government, the party felt that the only way was to get it from some other party. That party was the Labour party. The Ministers were men of ability, and from a persona.] view it was a. fiTsfc-oJass -Government. UNITED LABOUR PARTY. Mr. Fowlds last evening spoke at Birkenhead, where -he "was accorded a •hearty greeting by a large and interested audience in the Foresters' 'Hall. The Mayor (Mr. W. Wallace) presided. Mr. Fowlds dealt at length, "with the various planks of the TTnited Labour j party, such as proportional representaj tion." State banking, land monopoly, etc., and concluded with an appeal to those present to support the United Labour party, and thus help on the movement. On the motion of Mr. Jas. Gilbert, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Fowlds for his able address.