The Press. FRIDAY, JUNE 30. 1893. THE VACANT PORTFOLIO.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8523, 30 June 1893, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, JUNE 30. 1893. THE VACANT PORTFOLIO.

The attitude of the Ministry with reference to the vacant portfolio can only be explained in one of two ways. Ministers are either afraid to do anything, or they confess by their present action that there is no occasion to fill the vacancy. We are informed in the columns of the Ministerial journals that Mr. Cadmax will not re-enter the Ministry under any. circumstances. Although the question of the resignation of his seat is not yet decided, he has made up his mind, we are assured) to remain a prirate member. Assuming this statement to be authoritative, the question arises, Why is his place in t&e Ministry kept open ? Judging by the proceedings of the Government, seven members of the Cabinet are, in their opinion, necessary to the proper administration of publio affairs. Up to the date of the death of the late Premier it was composed of Messrs Ballance, Buckley, Rbev'ss, Seddon, McKenzie, Cadman, and Ward, with Mr. Carroll thrown iv as a Native representative. When the Ministry was reconstructed under Mr, Seddon the number was reduced by one, Mr. Ward taking his place as a full paid Minister. By the resignation of Mr. Cabman the number, apart from the Native representative, is reduced to five. And it is announced that the position left vacant is not at present to be filled up. This decision has been taken at a time when the House is in session, and when the work of Ministers is necessarily heavy. They have to attend not only to their Parliamentary duties, but have to look after administration as well. If they can do this satisfactorily, then we have a right to conclude that the former number was excessive, and that they were really imposing on . the country when they demanded the services of seven men in addition to the Native member of the Executive. We do not believe, however, that this is the real explanation. No one has been appointed because the Government are afraid to take a step which might alienate support. The vacant seat is, we imagine, to be kept dangling before their supporters as long as possible. It helps to keep tho party in order. J_very individual member of it almost regards himself, we may be sure, as perfectly qualified t to take his place on the Treasury benches. If the selection is made there will be at least thirty disappointed aspirants. Ministers no doubt realise all this and are therefore not in a hurry to make a choice. In addition Sir Robebt Stout's presence in Parliament has, no doubt, greatly complicated the situation. As long as he was out of the* House he acted the part of the great leader of the party. His irresponsible utterances were very generally accepted as the expression of the aims and objects of the so-called Liberals of New Zealand. Now that he has a seat the members of the party in Wellington do not know quite what to make of him. They are probably jealous and a little afraid of him. They cannot yet estimate the extent of his influence in the country; but at the same time they do not want him as their chief. Sir Robert, on the other hand, while professing loyalty to the party, practically declines to be regarded as only one of the rank and file. He refused to attend the cauous as a common member, thereby making it quite plain that he regarded himself as a chief whose position in the House had not yet been defined. In these circumstances what are the unfortunate Ministers to do? With Mr Seddon determined to be Premier, how can they offer the vacant portfolio to Sir Robert. If such an offer were made it would "be rejected. Indeed, it has been stated that the chief has been approached, and invited to take the portfolio of Native Minister; and that he has refused to serve as a subordinate- At any rate it is positively asserted that he has made it quite clear that he will not accept office under Mr. Seddon. Ministers therefore must find themselves in a very tight corner indeed. If they proceed to fill the vacant seat with say one of the Auckland members they may, to a slight extent, propitiate the local feeling of that district. But the general elections are looming in the distance. What will the so-called Liberal party say to a step which elevated a comparative nonentity, such as, say, Mr. T. Thompson, and left the great Radical leader a private member? On the other hand, it is apparently impossible to induce Sir Robert to take office in a subordinate capacity. He was an acknowledged chief, say his friends, when Mr. Seddon was simply a West Coast Member with no influeuce iv the House, and no following outside it. Is he to be expected, it is asked, to efface his personality and take service under the command of a mere novice ? These are the points which are being pat, ; and apparently nbsatisfactory solution of them is forthcoming. But, in tbe mean- . time, Mr. Seddon ia Prime Minister,

and Prime Minister he means to remain. 'Ilia being taken for graute I, the only thiug to be settled is—What is the best course to take in such circumstances ? And apparently the conclusion arrived at ia that they must wait the issue of events. The vacant seat is to remain «psn, because to fill it up would piobibly lead to further and more distressing complications.