The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1915. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1915. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

The announcement that Mr. Andrew Fisher has resigned his office as Prime Minister of Australia in order to take up the position of High Commissioner for the Commonwealth does not come' as a surprise. For some time past it has been generally understood that Mr, Fisher would succeed Sir George Reid, whose term of office will expire on January 22, 1916. Sir George recently suggested that his appointment snould he renewed. Ho offered to continue his work in London without salary until the end of the war, but the Commonwealth Government was not prepa.red to agree to this proposal. Other arrangements were in contemplation. The severe strain of Mr. Fisher's strenuous political career is said to have had its effect upon his health. A few weeks ago he found it necessary to take'a rest. Humours were then in circulation that he intended to go to London, and a little-later Mr, Fisher stated that Ministers had definitely decided that Sit! George Ueid's place should he taken by someone representing the views'of their own party. Now it is definitely announced that that someone is to be Mr. Fisher himself. Sir Geokge Ekid, judged l:y his appearances, before the public, has filled the position of High Commissioner with considerable success. He has not allowed the people of Britain to overlook Australia or •Itproducts, and he lias constantly magnified his office for the sake of advertising his country. Mr. Fisher may be lacking in some of the more brilliant qualities of the present High Commissioner, but he has other qualities which will no doubt prove equally useful. He has shown himself to be a shrewd" and level-headed man, and few understand Australian life and thought better than he does, His wide expericncß will serve hiin in good stead in his uew ofiicc, and be will

also hare the advantage of possessing first-hand knowledge of the mind of the Government on all matters relating to tiic war.

The Labour Caucus had arrived at an understanding that as soon as Mi!. Fisher resigned the Ministry should forthwith cease to exist, and that a general reconstruction- of the Cabinet should take place. The choice of Mit. W. M. Hughes' as the new Prime Minister was a foregone conclusion. It now appears that the caucus has made use of the present- opportunity to oust two Ministers who had some into conflict witli the unions. Three new Ministers had, therefore, to be chosen. The new Prime Minister is a strong personality, and has exorcised' a powerful influence in shaping the Australian Labour movement. He is an able debater and a keen political lighter. It is satisfactory to know that he is just as determined as Me. Fisher that Australia shall do its utmost to assist to bring the war to a triumphant conclusion. At the commencement of the struggle, Mr. Fishek declared that Australia was ready to give its last man and its last shilling for the purpose of defeating the Empire's enemies, and it must be said that he has acted with vigour and .with courage in the course no has followed since he made that declaration. His deeds have borno out his promise, and it is believed that his successor can be relied upon to sec that there shall be no slackening in Australia's military efforts. Mn. Hughes has expressed his views oil the war in the most emphatic manner. At a great recruiting meeting recently held in Sydney he told his hearers that if Germany should win it would mean good-byo to the Australia they had known. The sun would shine as brightly and the soil would be tho same, but it would be hell for every free man. _ It would be better, he declared, if needs be, to go down lighting than to live—if life it could be callccl—under the .iron heel of Fnissianism. _ Such a' declaration makes it quite evident that the reconstruction of the Australian Cabinet is not likely to bo followed by any weakening in war policy and everything else just now. is of secondary importance.