THE FEDERAL MINISTRY.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 299, 22 June 1909, Page 4

THE FEDERAL MINISTRY.

The coalition between the Deakin and Cook parties, which has resulted in the displacement of the Labor Ministry, has naturally excited very general interest. Less noisy thanthe virulent animosity and embittered accusations of the disappointed ones, is the sense of quiet satisfaction caused by the reflection that the reins of government* are now in the hands , of the most moderate and sensible men of all parties. But it is a very potent feeling, and it will bear fruit in the general election which is now so rapidly approaching. Those who; are interested in the great industries wliich furnish and which constitute the prosperity of- AiistraJia^and who is not interested int them— are now for the most part indulging the hope that the era of harassment'and interference is about to pass away, and that a period of quiet and steady development, protected and assisted by a sensible and liberal administration, is about to dawn. Business men hope much from Mr Dugald Thomson. He thoroughly understands the ! ramifications of the commerce of the country. If any member of the team is able to educe order and efficiency out of the machinery of the post office it is he. The telephone and telegraph .departments specially need prompt attention. It is fair, , however, to say that, despite certain apparently well-grounded causes of complaint, . the collleetion and delivery of letters is earned on, generally speaking,- with amazing aiid reliableness. Now that the new Government is getting fairly installed, and all fear of an immediate dissolution has been removed, the fate of Sir William Lyne, and the three of four members who followed him into "the cave," rather than siipport the coalition, is beginning to excite ' solicitude: They have cut themselves adrift from the Deakinites, with whom they were before associated, rather than vote the downfall of the- "Labor" Ministry. .But will the "Labour" men accept the sacri'fiee? yln other words, will they forbear to 1 oppose them when "they present themselves for re-election? Present appearances indicate that further services will be expected before so. desirable a, consummation, is reached, even if it is possible to reach it at all. !For after all this is a matter which does not rest with the caucus, but Avith the Labour. Leagties. They have no particular reason to be grateful. And, if_ they had, tliey would deem it a .duty, if there ap-peared-the ghost of a. chance of winning a seat for a pledged "Labour" man, to win that seat, no matter whom they might displace in the pro- | cess, or in the attempt. By their attacks on Mr Deakin these gentlemen have turned against themselves the arms of their former associates. ]