Cabinet Courtesies.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 1521, 5 July 1898, Page 5

Cabinet Courtesies.

(Wellington Post.)

It is said to be an open secret in the inner circles of Seddonism that Cabinet courtesies between the leaders of the Government have of late been at times more honored in the breach than the observance. As the causes that are alleged to be at the root of what may result in strained relations between the Premier and the Minister tor .Lands may seriously affect the Government, and thus concern the public welfare, they are worthy of some comment, though we do not claim any special knowledge of the questions at issue. It will be remembered that of late, in more than one provincial paper, it has been argued that the time has arrived when the Hon. J. G. Ward should again be invested with Cabinet rank. In one instance the local agent of the Press Association was sufficiently impressed with the significance of this advocacy as to disseminate it as a news item throughout the country. The country, as might have been expected, did not rise to the occasion, and acute political observers merely smiled at what they considered an obvious feeler. It is now said that the Minister for Lands would reconstruct, by the inclusion in the Cabinet of the ex-Treasurer, and that the Premier, with surer prevision, opposes a stern resistance to the demands of his choleric colleague. Further, the attitude of the Hon. John M'Kenzie towards the Bank of New Zealand is believed to be a cause of disquiet, both to Mr Seddon and the governing body ot that institution. Mr M'Kenzie lately declared in the south that the Banking Bill of last" session, which provided for the removal of the President and the reconstruction of the directorate, woujd be a Government measure of the coming session. We quite believe it will be, and equally we believe it will not be passed, because the Premier fears its passage would lead to " revelations," and these not the " revelations " which the Premier alleges are in the possession of the member for Patea as the outcome of the action of Whitaker v. Hutchison. For our prat, we would welcome all and any revelations which would lead to the disclosure of the secret springs hitherto so carefully concealed—that set the two million guarantee in motion. So, for the same reason we would welcome the passage of the strangled Banking Biil of last session. But it is the fear that,- if passed, revelations may thereby be provoked, that foredooms it to defeat. We quite believe in the sincerity of the Minister for Lands in his attitude towards the Bank, and he has our sympathy ; but it is quite conceivable that the Premier is much emharassed by the situation—a circumstance, it need hardly be added, that does not cause us any sorrowful concern. With these forces driving the leaders asunder, the absence of one or the other from the seat ot Government recently becomes intelligible.