DIFFERENCES IN THE CABINET

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13901, 28 November 1910, Page 8

DIFFERENCES IN THE CABINET

RUMOURS AND FACTS.

(special to "the prem.") I WELLINGTON, November 27. j Throughout the greater" part of the j session it has been quite common talk in the lobbies and out of them that there have beon serious differences of opinion aimm; Ministers regarding matters of vitil interest in resard to policy. The extent of these differences, however, can only be surmised, for Ministers, as a rule, do not give away any Cabinet secrets. THE PRIME MINISTER AND MR j MILLAR. 1 Discussing the debate on the Gsiminir Bill in :i leading article to-day, the '■Dominion says:—"The most notable | feature of the debate was the collision j between Mr Millar and .Sir Joseph j Ward. There can be little doubt that 1 the public will te very curious to know I what is u> be the result ot a far greater • and sbarper than that j which led to the resignation of Mr j With some people, perhaps, j obstinate defence of the j bookmakers will fount for courage., but | even his si<lniirers will not be able to j read without regret and surprise the | shallow and foolish sophistry with which | he <leffin.led a really immoral and finti- ] Social doctrine. it is difficult to see ; how, after the dim;t and severe slap in the lace yiven to Mr Millar by the Prime Minister, who had to repudiate liis colleague's \ lews in strong terms, there can be any delay about Mr Millar's resignation. We cannot think of ,'Hiv i.arailel to this public breach between a Prime Minister and his chief colleague, and the public, which knows that resignations have followed lesser and private bn aches within a Ministry, uill not be surprised if Mr Millar takes what seems to he the natural and necessary course of action." MR MILLAR AND MR T. MACKENZIE. This morning when the Roslyn Seweiime Hill wns under consideration, there was some difference of opinion between the Hon. J. A. Millar and the Hon. Tlios. Mackenzie. At one stage Mr Wilford made a remark that the Bill should be dropped to the bottom oi the Order Paper, so that the third reading ot the "Wellington Dock Bill could be taken. The Hon. R. McKenzie promptly interjected that it was jiot intended to take the third reading oi' that Hill that day, but Sir Joseph Ward just as promptly chipped in -with '•Oh yes it is; I said'so." Then when Mr Sidey said if it was intended to proceed with the Bill it would take a lonp: time. Mr Millar said he would go on with it if it took a week. A motion that the Bill bp read that day six months was defeated, and this brought the Hon. T. Mackenzie to bis feet in conflict with his colleague, Mr Millar, who was in charge of the Bill. He did not, be said, think the amendment would have been lost but for the exertions of their friend, the Whip, in a matter he had no right to interfere in at all. It was a question involving the rights of a great number of people, and he threatened to go very fully into the matter if it was ,to be proceeded with. Mr M'nssey, noticing the differences that had become apparent, said, "T would suggest that members of the ■Cabinet should take their differences outside into the lobby and settle them there. Bir Joseph Ward : When a Minister is in charge of a local Bill, it has nothing to do with the. Cabinet. An hon. MembeT: Then, -why does the Whip oCme in? Mr Massey: "Who was in charge of the Gaming Bill, may I ask. Sir Joseph Ward: I wns, and I carried it throughOn the motion of the Hon. T. Mackenzie, the debate on the second reading was adjourned, and Mr Millar's Bill was killed.