THE POLITICAL POT IS BOILING

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 200, 23 August 1919, Page 11

THE POLITICAL POT IS BOILING

WHAT wn-I. THE HARVEST BE? I SOME INCONGRUOUS MIXTURES. (Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The following statement concerning the latest political developments was i made by a politician thoroughly conver- ] cant with the complexities of the present •situation: — . 1 The political pot is boiling more furiously than ever. Sir Joseph Ward's 1 resignation has been a complete bombshell. It is difficult to see what else could have been expected, eeeing the strained relations between himself and Mr Massey The fact that Sir Joseph was in no way consulted regarding the gift ships from the Admiralty to New Zealand furnishes 'all the comment that is necessary. I The announcement of the temporary portfolios is very significant. First, the refusal of Sir James Allen to take any (work beyond Defence indicates clearly the relations between himself and Mr. Massey. The war is over, and the Defence portfolio, though still heavy, must [have shrunk enormously in its claims upon the Minister. Why, then, has Sir I James refused to assist his colleagues in the hour of their dire necessity? ! All Wellington is laughing at two 'supreme jokes. They are Mr. Massey as a financier and Mr. Herries as controller of coal supplies. In his wildest dreams 'Mr. Massey can never have pictured himself as Minister of Finance, but in this case the Budget has been prepared by Mr. Myers ready for Sir Joseph to put the finishing touches of policy, and Mr 'Massey will walk into the inheritance But what will the policy be? Therein lies the importance of possible develop ments, and it is certain that Mr. Massej possesses a boldness his friends have never yet credited him with in proposin, to take up the financial policy of Sii Joseph Ward as disclosed in his mani festo, with the view of either givin; effect to it, or possibly going one better Mr. Ilanan has to-day handed in hi resignation. There was a wild nimou yesterday that the ex-Minister of Educa tion ha-d joined Reform. He has give] the lie to that story to-day. Mr. Russell resigns on Monday. H: resignation has been held up owing t an importa.nt matter which he desires t clean up, if possible, before leaving offiei and is awaiting a. report from th Auditor-General before doing so. In an case he will resign on Monday morning He has to-day ticketed the only vacan ■seat in the House, which happens to h in front of Labour, but he stated with grin to a reporter that no political in portancc could be attached to the fact.