CABINET BUILDING.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 4

CABINET BUILDING.

The latest announcement of the Prime Minister with regard to his Government confirms an impression that is fadriy widely Uield political circles that he is pledged .to patch a. somewhat doubtful structure rather than erect a fresh edifice in the stability of which reasonable confidence might be reposed. No one believes that ia the inclusion of Mr. G. J. Anderson ac Minister of Internal Affairs and tfhe minor ehuffling of portfolios that ihas just been made public, we have Mr. Maescy'e final word in Cabinet making. Both his political partisans and those who are opposed to certain fundamental principles for •which his Government; stand 1 *- would have infinitely preferred to see Mr. Maesey increase his Cabinet by the inclusion of another Minister and relieve himself and 'the present head of public works and defence of burdens that, in *he important reconstruction stage through which, the country is passing, must prove too considerable to efficiently discharge with the best brains and will in the world. Parliament is certain to 'have some thing 4o say in criticism of the occupants of the Ministerial benches.

As to Mr. G. J. Anderson, hie political career and energetic personality commend him for .the position, but the minor post to which 'ha hae been appointed would indicate that his Chief ■is of opinion that (he requires trying out before being shouldered with graver responsibilities. 'Mr. Anderson may fairly be regarded ac thn nearest approach to a representative of labour in the present Government. As » militant trades unionist of the times of Ballance and Seddon the was an advocate of measures co advanced that they -were unacceptable to even ithe great Liberal leaders. The resumption of the big estates, nationalisation of industries, and even old age peneions were favoured by him before they •were adopted as cardinal principles of an advanced liberalism. Needless to -cay the dozen years 'that Mr. Anderson has eat in the 'House as, a nominal supporter of the party that 'brought him out against ttie late Dr. Mci Nab lhave modified his views materially; but it ie impossible to believe that in the new Minister there exists even to-day on individual who can ccc eye to eye with the conservative elements of the present Government. There is 'little to be. said against the inclusion of Mr. Anderson, but there is a great deal of fair criticism that can and will 'be levelled against the failure of Mr. Mossey to undertake *he thorough Cabinet reconstruction that the country demands. .... „ ..... ■<~.,