POLITICAL NEWS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7770, 26 January 1891, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS.

TEE NEW MINISTRY SWORN IN. THE CHAIRMAN~OF COMMITTEES. [BX Tsi.KaßAi'H.j [V&OU OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, January 25. Mr Ballanca'a new Ministry was sworn in at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. The allotment of portfolios is exactly as 1 telegraphed on Friday that it would be, but, in addition to the Premiership and Treasurerebip, Mr Balance takes Native Affairs, Mr Buckley becomes Colonial Secretary as well as Attorney-General, Mr McKanzie has the portfolio of Agriculture in addition to Lands, Mr Stsddon receives Defence as well as Mines, aad probably Public Works; also Mr Reeves adds Justice to Education, The " unexpected" iv regard go the new Government is Mr Ward's inclusion without portfolio, as there was a strong impression on the other side of the House that the link which connected him with the Ballance party was of the frailest description and might not improbably be severed when once the Atkinson Ministry should have been ousted from office. The new Ministry appears generally to be viewed with a good deal of favor, the exclusion of certain members who were regarded as sources of weakness,, yet at the same time inevitable, has created both surprise and pleasure. It is understood two of those voluntarily wrqte to Mr Ballance, waiving any claims they might have. This, of course, cleared the way materially, as tnoae particular persons were looked on as likely to be bitterly offended and hopelessly alienated by their omission from the new Cabinet, while the new Premier could hardly venture to include them. Another point in Mr Balance's favor was Ml- Rees fntimacing tjiat, as he did not concur iv certain features of the new Premier's Native land policy, be preferred not to hold a portfolio, as Mr Kees had been looked oa by otan; as a not improbable Auckland Minister. This act of selfabnegation removed another stumbling block from the path of the " Cabinetmaker." The Auckland seat in the Cabinet is still unfilled, but I shall have some,thing to say on that subject later. The Governor will formally declare to Parliament on Tuesday, through the customary medium of the "Speech from the Throne," the reasons why he had called Parliament together. Mr Ballance informs mc that on the House resuming after the delivery of the Speech from the Throne he will make a Ministerial statement, setting forth generally the views and intentions of the Government in regavd to public business, and that notice will then J)e immediately given of the Address In reply, to be moved on the following day ( Wednesday). AH this is plain sailing enough. It iq to what is to come after that is the troublesome question. The Ministerial side desire to prorogue immediately after the Address-iu-Heply shall have been agreed to. ■ April' is cormnonly mentioned as the period to. which the House would in that case prorogue, as the current appro-* > priationa have effect only to March 31st, but others advocate a later time of meeting, via., May or June, special provision : being made, with reference to the necessary carrying w of. the public service. The general opinion, however, seems to be that Parliament if it prorogues or adjourns now should meet again in April, as originally arranged. The Opposition party are disposed to resist the proposed prorogation, aa involving the unwarrantable expense pi two sessions, while a mere adjournment would avoid that heavy extra cost. They contend, however, that so loug aj delay as three months is wholly needless and unjustifiable, and that Mr Ballance ought not to be accorded a longer tiwq than was given to Sir HU Atkinson in 1837, viz., a fortnight, which ie will be remembered was. only conceded with much reluctance and grumbling aa unnecessarily extended. The Opposition inalat that) there is no valid reason why tha, puplio business should not be proceeded , tpitn alter a fortnight's adjournment, and that in any case the holding of a. gecQod session would be a. piece oX merej wanton extravagance, merely for the purpose of putting so much more public money into mem burs' pockets* Indeed, same of chose who are loudest io their advocacy of prorogation and a second session instead of adjournment frankly admit that they want the extra honorarium to go towards their election expenses. A sharp debate on the Addreas-UvJieply U expected, and may last, several days, bat she new Government are sanguine that they will be able to bring the session to a, close by the end of the currenc week.

A caucus of the Ministerial party will be held at noon to-morrow, when it is expected that the decision of the party as to the election of Chairman of Committees will be made. LitTEB. Nothing has yet been decided as to the selection of the Auckland member of the Cabinet* but the choice now Ilea between Mr Goldie, Mr Cadman and Mr Kelly. The new Ministry are naturally anxious to conciliate the Auckland people, and although they recognise that no member has a greater or stronger claim on too party than Mr Cadraaja, in consequence of his loyal and consistent support, the difficulty ie that he would not be so thoroughly repreaentive of the Auckland district generally as Mr Goldie. This being so it is quite on the cards that the vacant portfolio may be offered to that gentleman, provided, of course, that he in inclined to ally himself with the new Government party. It it stated also that the Ministry, recognising the demand for economy that still prevails in the colony, but more especially in Auckland, will endeavor to curtail the public expenditure as mach as possible. It this should prove to be the case they would secure a, lever at strength, by the accession of Mr Goldie, who during the whole of the last <fisrliament was regarded as the high priest of economy, and he has undoubtedly, judging by his utterances in the Hou&e, made himself thoroughly ooaTereant with the whole question. At the same time, if Mr Goldie should join the Ministry, it will create consternation in the ranks of the Civil Service, as he is credited with having in preparation a eam_ewhat appalling scheme of retrenchment, which he is desirous of carrying into effect, it it is possible to do so. Mr Goldie is expected to arrive here; on Tuesday.. The faob that Mr Ward, the member for Awarua, has joined the Ministry, although without a portfolio, will certainly tend to «tmtgtben their position. Mr W#rd, who is the hoed of a large mercantile establishment in InvercargiU, held a prominent position in the House daring the last Parliament, and generally showed in debate that h© possessed a good graep of public questions, lie is also exceedingly popular personally with both sides of the House, being invariably courteous towards his opponents a» well aa those oxx his own side in politics. Fox the Chairmanship of Committee I hear that Mr t isher is meeting with considerable support, especially from Wellington members, Mr Hamlin's claim to the post, however, is widely recognised, $ad J&s Mends are actively canvassing for him. The contest, should it come ott', pstpaises fep be a close one, but if Parifairaent prorogues or at the end of this week, which it is generally expected to do. the question will not come qjj till the House assembles again. A meeting of members was held on Saturday evesiag to consider what; aetfon should be taken in connection: -with the grievances of Railway employees, and & deputation was appointed to Wit Qn the Railway Commissioners, and bring tne, matter before them in the cotuse of the week. . * in. the abolition off party Government, and the adoption of a| modified.form of the Swiss system, intend; to hold s meeting on Monday to coselcterl vrh*t QQupw tfie*. atwuid adept* TM» jxwt/

Ift Mid te be bow atnafc thirty strong* and thefr position "has been materially b» fhq re*?tusMon of the nariibsr of members to seventy-four. The main #eafc»re» of the policy of the new administration svill probably be a change In the incidence of taxation and * u £ther retrench nivAt. . •The Law Officers ot the Crown are oi opinion that if supplies aro granted tiu the end of Jane the special clause tacked oa the AppraprlHtion Aotol last year was only to ensure th,e aummoniag pf the proseat Parliament nqfc later than April, and if Mr Ballance now wishes Uβ can ask for fivo months' adjournments without requiring further supplies, i -1f c . opinion Is daily growing ptrongei ; that there will now be two sessions.

.(P-BESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 24. The following were sworn in at 3.50 this afternoon:— Mr Ballance—Premier, Treasurer, and Nncive Minister. Mr Buckley — Attorney-General and Colonial Secretary. Mr Mackenzie—Lands and Agrioultum Mr Seddon— Mines and Defence, anc possibly Public Works, Mr W. P. Reeves—Education and Jus tice. Mr Ward without portfolio. The policy of the new Ministry i% an* nounced generally as — Reform of the Council; retrenchment and change in the incidence of taxation, uot necessarily, however, by abolition of the property tax. The desirability of calling Sir Maurice O'Rourke to the Legislative Conncil, in view of the probable retirement of Sir Frederick Whitaker and the Hon. Dr. Pollen, is being discussed by the Cabinet. An impression is gaining ground that Mr Goldie will be the sixth member of the Government.

A Gcuette issued last night notifies the resignation of the late Government.