CABINET RE-CONSTRUCTION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11394, 3 October 1902, Page 5

CABINET RE-CONSTRUC-TION.

(ePJiCIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON", October 2. The "New Zealand Times," the Ministerial organ, saye: —"At the caucus of the Ministerial Party on Tuesday last, perhaps the most important item consisted not f>f what was eaid, but of what was left unsaid, and bearing in mind the proverb as to t<he relative values of speech and silence, it; may be well to pointedly refer to the omiseion. It was felt to be an occasion for paying compliments where deserved, and these were paid in words that had the ring of true metal to the Acting-Premier, the Minister for Public Works, and the Minister for Native Affairs. Now/ the omission of all mention of the other members of the Cabinet could not have been unintentional, but nevertheless tic failure to acknowledge their eervioes might have been passed unnoticed, bub for the fact that the preference shown for three particular Ministers coincides exactly with rumours that have reached the outside world from Parliamentary circles of late as to the estimation in which particular Ministers are held. According to these rumours, grave dissatisfaction is felt with the Ministry as at present constituted, and a demand has gone forth from the Liberal Party for Cabinet reconstruction as tne indispensable condition of continued loyalty on the part of the rank and file. "The wishes of the Government eupportersas definitely formulated are:—(l) That a capable Minister of Education be chosen with a eeat in fcho Lower House; (2) that a live . Minister of Lands, preferably a North Island representative, should supersede «he present holder of that important portfolio; and (3) that a strong and brainy man be given the portfolios of Railways and Post and Telegraphs. The last-named requirement is,' of course, conditional upon Sir Joseph Ward permanently retaining the -positions of Premier and Colonial Treasurer. This is in turn contingent upon the intentions of Mir Seddon, whose future is presumed! to lie in South Africa. As a mattier of fact, the whole of the airy Cabinet mating that has been indulged in depends altogether upon the Premier's resolution in the matter of an Imperial appointment, which is reported t-> have traen placed at his disposal, for there can be no reconstruction of the Ministry except by his will. It is safe to assume that if Mr Seddbn elects to remain in New' Zealand and lead tfoe Liberal Party, there will be no such drastic changes as liave been outlined, though probably there v .:u v- r- -■ rR j n the Ministers of Lamdfc and Education.

iii .iK ....iit of the Premier's resignation, however, an entirely new Cabinet would be formed, and the expression of opinion at the recent caucus is a very plain indication that if the iw-jshes of the party are consulted only three of the present Ministers would find places in the new combination. It is a comparatively easy matter, it, would seem, to deddle who shall not be in the next Liberal Cabinet, but the troubles of the new Pjtemjer will seriously commence when he begins to fill up the vacancies. Territorial considerations, the claims of long party eervice and the special fitness of the various aspirants, will all have to be tiakeo into account', and they will prove very difficult of satisfactory adjustment. Pferther speculation would, a-t this stage, bo premature, but the silence of tie caucus with regard to certain Minasbere is a significant 'pointer' in the meantime."