The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1912. THE NEW MINISTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1401, 29 March 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1912. THE NEW MINISTRY.

The first feeling of the public when it reads this morning the names of the new Ministers will be one of surprise mingled with amusement. It is not Mr. Mackenzie's fault that he was unable, after his prolonged struggle with the conflicting factions in his party, to_ select a Ministry that would inspire the public with confidence. _ We are bound to say that it is just the sort of Cabinet that is appropriate for a party .which is committed to the desperate policy of the Governor's Speech. There is no special need to point out, what will be very obvious to everyone, the purely grotesque features of tho rearrangement, lint we may inquire whether Mit. Mackenzie really believes that those circumstances arc favourable to any long tenure of his office which forced him into appointing Mn. Coi.vi.v as Postmaster-General. So ludicrous a decision as this could not have been arrived at had tho internal sioos of tlw jp.ut£ not boon almost

paralysing. Hardly less amazing is the loading of Mr. Myers with the portfolios, amongst others, of Finance, Defence, and Railways. In each of these three vital Departments there is at the present time a greater necessity than has ever before existed for the undivided attention of a capable and vigorous Minister, since in each Department the late Ward Administration has produced a condition of muddle and peril that has filled all serious men with deep anxiety. Mn. Mackenzie is so insensible, apparently, to this fact that lie proposes to treat these vital national interests as trifles for the spare moments of Mr. Myers. That Mn. Myers is a capable politician nobody will deny, but there does not exist any man who could take even two of the three portfolios named and administer them both with the efficiency that is required.

The Ministry as a whole is an assemblage that almost defies criticism. We have been accustomed to regard the Ward Ministry as being incapable enough, but it certainly possessed more brains in the total than any second team that could be selected. New Zealand is to be governed for a lime by a second-grade committee of a discredited party united only in its desire to remain in office and in its blank ignorance of the principles that it stands for; and few people can have any real doubt as to the unwillingness of the nation to accept such a Government. The wrangling and bitterness at last week's caucus, the hostile resignation of Mr. It. M'Kexzie, the intriguing and wirepulling of -the-"past four days—all these guarantee for the new PnniE Minister the early operation of strong internal forces of disruption. All the disappointments and bitternesses, personal and territorial, would, however, bo supprcssibla were the Spoils party united on any com : mon principle or agreed upon some general direction in which to travel. But there is no such unity, no such agreement. Quite apart from the fact that the new Ministry is dependent for its existence (and quite unashamed'of such dependence) upon the support of two pledge-breakers, two opportunist Independents, and one other Labour member—quite apart from this fact, it is co? ,'.oscd of men who on nearly all controversial issues are fundamentally divided. Wo have not the least idea, nor will the country liave the least idea, how Mr. Mackenzie expects to remain in office with his Ministry. We have no attachment to the Reform party excepting the attachment of a common interest in the reestablishment of certain great principles of clean and patriotic government, and wo are glad to know that the Reforrn party is as solidly united as the Spoils party -is unstable, and as clear in its mind as the Spoils party isuncertain ancl befogged. The public is less concerned, however, about the prospects of either party as a party. At the polls it gave a clear verdict for clean government, and tho forces of Reform in the country have been greatly strengthened since December, and especially within the past few days, by the Government's self-revelation' as a Government ready, when driven into the open, to resort to any means whatever in its desire to retain office.

The nation has seen that the "Liberals" have not had at heart, in late years, the national interest. Their course during the past three months has been a denial of the right of the nation's interest to enter into the calculations of the party managers. The very Cabinet that tho new Priue Minister has selected is a final proof that the "Liberals" have left the nation out of account, for it is obvious that the only problem they set themselves to solve was the framing of the Ministry_ that would least quickly smash their party to picces. The inclusion of Messrs. Ell, Russell, Laurenson and Hanan- must be taken to mean that Mr. Mackenzie has decided that the co'untry which demanded Reform will accept Radicalism instead. The tainted food that was condemned is to be served up again drenched in a pungent sauce. It will not do. We do not wish to prejudjro Mr. Mackenzie's intentions. Ho may possibly reconcile the continuance of the "Liberal" party with the disappearance of the "Liberal" grossnesses. Indeed, he may strongly desire to do so. But we are afraid that his political necessities will baulk his desire; and in any event no amount of administrative reform will render tolerable the reckless Radicalism to which he is committed by the Caucus's adoption of tho gambler's throw of tho Governor's Speech. The nation will await with curiositv the new Prime Minister's explanation of his Cabinet, his policy, and his Parliamentary programme. In the meantime it sees in oftice, invested with all the power of government, a Ministry of which it can ho said without fear of contradiction that it does not possess the confidence of I he ponnle. of the House, or even of the ''Liberal" party itself.

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