THE PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1281, 9 November 1911, Page 4

THE PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH.

The speech delivered by the Prime Minister before his constituents at Wintqn on Tuesday evening is interesting in its way and inforniative also to those able to appreciate what it really discloses. The party organs of the Ministry will no doubt describe it as supplying a complete answer to tho criticism passed upon the Government and they cannot bo blamed for making the most of tho matter they have to work with. It must have proved very disappointing to the friends of the Government, however, to find that the best case their leader could put forward was a recapitulation from the party point of view of a whole host of familiar figures and stale arguments, spiced with a good many rather bitter reflections on his opponents. One would imagine that Sir Joseph Ward would have realised by this time that the public arc cfitite prepared to give him such credit as is his duo for the Advances to Settlers Act and any other of the Acts which be is so constantly reminding them of. He can take it for granted that these Acts, passed many years ago, are quite well known to the public. What ho has to face is the fact that, in spite of the Ward Administration having some achievements to its credit, the popular feeling at the present time is that it has not only outlived its usefulness, but has become a menace to sound and honest government, It may not have occurred to Siii Joseph AVaf.u that tho times call for something more than the stereotyped machine-made speech, but we would suggest to him one or two points upon which it would be wise for him to take the public into his confidence; or at least to express his views.

In the first place, he may nob bo aware, of it, but the personnel of Ins Cabinet at the present time is not one to inspire public, confidence. It is really a very weak Ministry from the point of view of administrative capacity—and from other points of view as well. Since Mr:. Fowlds declined to continue in its ranks it has muddled along, men incapabln of efficiently adminintcr-, l.iaj: even tho Departments previously

iiihW Mmir clinrgc heing saddled willi iiililil.iiiiiiil responsibilities. Wlml. in , " l-hii intentions of the I'mhii-; Miiiiii'iT.it tthnnld lie he r«lin mil hi in.wi'i', in this matter of llllliiK III" K' 1 1"< '" ''"' Ministry? \\'i> ili'i nut r:,(ici'(, Km. Jtiyiii'ii VVajw In miiiiu.t Mini (|iic«l,ioii, lull, it ia ii vi't'.y vil-iil 'inn fur Urn doetoru. Aiiiil.li'ki , iiiii.M.i'r upon whirl) it would limn lii'i'ii ivnlly iiil,<!ri'sl.iiiK lo liiivk i.lilniiii'il Kin .loHi'.i'ii Wakii'.h \\i'\\;: l'i Ihr, n'l.ilVllirllt of j\l 11. I'oUMiM I*r• nit Mil! Ministry. How i , mi Kin .lunKi'ii Waiid reconcile his iiwn ili-cliinitiiinii regarding the l.niiiii'iiiliiiui |ii'ogi'cii!iivf'inws and sinc'n'l.y uf purpiiiK! of the Government willi Ilii derision of All:. Knu'Ui.'i l.ii ti'lim from tJio Governiiuvil. mid llm ri'iiKons given therefor I "Whenever i>, truly democratic piirl.y arirni in tliiH country," said Mil. l''owi,|is, "a party pledged to ditlinitr principles, principles which it lii'licvcM in and which it is prepiuvil to light for, it, shall have my ulioliMiouled support, and if it filidiiM become nitnieroiis enough to cn/ililo il, to form a Government and invilj'iMiie to join it, my services will he iivniliihlp." The public would he very much more interested to learn what Sir Josui'ii AVajid has to say ii)_ answer to this exposure, from williin, by one of his own colleagues, of tho Government's lack of principles, than it is in the reiteration of the long list of familiar arguments concerning the past achievements of tho party. But perhaps tho most interesting information which tho PnniE Minister could give the public just now is his explanation of tho fact that even while he was speaking at Winton on Tuesday evening such a docile follower of the Government as Mr. Field was announcing to his constituents at Otaki that in future he would exercise a little more independence. All over the country past supporters of the Government are finding it advisable to assure the electors that they are "Independents." Why , ! If the Government is as depicted by Sir Joseph Waiid why should there be such anxiety displayed on the present occasion on the part of Government candidates to declare their independence of Ministerial influence? Is it not very plain that even those who for various reasons support tho Government realise that its recent record has shaken public confidence . and that it is not safe to pledge themselves to support it? It is very significant, perhaps the most significant feature of the present elections, that even supporters of the Ministry distrust it. How could it be otherwise with a Ministry pledged to no definite principles and swayed by every passing breeze of public opinion?